I’m not patriotic toward the imperial, corrupt, and coercive course the United States has opted to take for the past Century or more.
I am however rather endeared and patriotic toward the compelling ideals upon which it was initially founded. The initial intent of the Declaration (and Constitution) was to strictly limit the size of government, and to more or less provide a consensual general framework of “natural law” in place to protect the freedoms, security, and liberty of the individual from a large unaccountable tyrannical government – or mob-rule democracy.
They got the ideals right, but we the people, whom possess ALL the power, failed miserably in fulfilling the “eternal vigilance” side of the contract.
As such, 241-years later, America is now The United States Inc, and no longer represents the natural laws and ideals upon which it was founded.
Up-voted for in-your-face undeniable truth pertaining to recent (not founding) history, and a great comment thread too!
https://steemit.com/freedom/@passion-ground/1776-the-american-declaration