I love my country. I served my country as a member of the US Army. I vote and I believe in the promise of America. That’s why I speak out about the areas in which we need to improve; if I didn’t care, I’d turn my back and not worry about the very serious issues facing our country.
I know I don’t have all the answers, but I trust regular folks much more than I trust our politicians in Washington. I have faith that in the end, we the people will not only survive, but thrive and in the future America will once again be among the most highly regarded nations on the planet. (I’m ashamed that due to things like torture, etc. we’ve lost what was once our rightful place in the world’s eyes.)
On this Flag Day I want to share the lyrics of a song that reflect these feelings in a very eloquent way:
I Am A Patriot
Steven Van Zandt (Blue Midnight Music, 1983)
And the river opens for the righteous (5 times)
Someday
I was walking with my brother
And he wondered whats on my mind
I said what I believe in my soul
Aint what I see with my eyes
And we cant turn our backs this time
I am a patriot
And I love my county
Because my country is all I know
I want to be with my family
The people who understand me
Ive got nowhere else to go
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
Someday
And I was talking with my sister
She looked so fine
I said, baby, whats on your mind?
She said, I want to run like the lion
Released from the cages
Released from the rages
Burning in my heart tonight
And I aint no communist
And I aint no capitalist
And I aint no socialist
And I aint no imperialist
And I aint no democrat
And I aint no republican
I only know one party
And it is freedom
I am, I am, I am
I am a patriot
And I love my country
Because my county is all I know
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
Someday
And the river opens for the righteous…