"The ignorance of one voter in a
democracy impairs the security of all." John
F. Kennedy
"My country is the world, and my
religion is to do good." Thomas
Paine
"A man who is good enough to shed
his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal
afterwards. More than that no man is entitled to, and less than that no
man shall have." Theodore
Roosevelt
"What do we mean by patriotism in the
context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense
of national responsibility...a patriotism which is not short, frenzied
outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a
lifetime." Adlai Stevenson
"If there must be trouble let it be in
my day, that my child may have peace." Thomas Paine
We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.
When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with
it." Edward R. Murrow
"The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair." H. L. Mencken
"In the future days, which we seek to
make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential
human freedoms The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere
in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in
his own way--everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from
want--which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings
which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its
inhabitants--everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from
fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction
of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no
nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression
against any neighbor--anywhere in the world." Franklin D. Roosevelt
"A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle." George William Curtis
"Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive." Henry Steele Commager
"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually." James Baldwin
"Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character." Margaret Chase Smith
"Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and excusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let me label you as they may." Mark Twain
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Theodore Roosevelt
"Patriotism does not oblige us to acquiesce in the destruction of liberty. Patriotism obliges us to question it, at least." Wendy Kaminer
"No matter that patriotism is too often
the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around
hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots." Barbara
Ehrenreich
"A patriot must always be ready to
defend his country against his government." Edward Abbey
"If the freedom of speech is taken away
then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
George Washington
O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.
Langston Hughes