Question: Why is that the patriotism of America's worst is unassailable?
I'm talking about the "thought" leaders in America that lead America in the most self-destructive
directions, the war mongers, tax cheaters, Constitution perverters and all around general distortionists.
The politicians and spinmeisters who shuck for the right wing agenda are a dangerous fifth column,
completely counter to what America was envisioned to be by the founders.
Proof on the flip...
Strict Constructionism
The right-wing believes in a strict constructionist interpretation of the Constitution. This is patently
absurd and we need not go through the collected writings of the Founding Fathers to prove it. The founding fathers rejected monarchy as a government. If they rejected that a "chosen by god" king should be the ruler,
how could they ever have intended for people hundreds of years down the line to live their lives according to how they think a small group of 18th century men knew the world? How could have these men broken with the King if they did?
Some of the avid historians on this site (I have a BA in History) may quibble a bit with the above statement.
It is a broad brushing of the concept, however it is these broad brushings that have become the main public discourse. The above is a quickly deployable, fundamentally correct argument against Stupid Constructionism.
You don't need a PhD to use the argument or understand it.
When the right-wing speaks of Stupid Constructionism they are pushing a nonsensical falsehood into the
public discourse. If they can turn the Constitution into an arcane antiquity they can isolate it and destory it: that's fifth column behavior.
A Christian Nation
America was a country started for religious freedom. Case in point: the Pilgrims. True, the freedom of religion was sought for, often severe, forms of christianity, but that is irrelevant now. If we do not hold fealty to the idea of Stupid Constructionism we accept that the world has changed and that there are many people seeking 'freedom of religion,' many of whom who are not christian. In fact it's right there in the 1st ammendment:
Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
If you want to argue that America is a Christian nation on a demographic basis, it is and has been valid. On a philosophical basis it is absurd, unless you want to completely undermine the 1st Amendment.
Anyone who argues otherwise is attempting to undermine the Constitution, i.e. a fifth columnist.
War Mongering
The right-wingers made up evidence to support an illegal invasion of Iraq and conspired together to spread war fever among the public. We know now that Iraq was not a threat to the USA and was never going to be. Saddam Hussein was a two-bit dictator with zero intentions of world domination. Not a nice guy, for sure, but not someone you mortgage the future of your country to replace.
I'm sure there were honest and sincere people who sincerely believed in the war. They can be forgiven. Those who cannot be are those who ginned up the facts to get into the war. Actively lying and spinning to guide your nation into an illegal war is fifth column behavior.
Conclusion
Karl Rove says that you should attack your enemy at his perceived strength. When we let a Limbaugh or Hannity, or any of the other good 'ol boys have their patriot credentials undeservedly we're already on the losing side of the argument.
The Limbaughs and Hannities aren't the real America, they are out to destroy the real America, they are an insidious fifth column that has achieved great power in this country.
Don't let the war-mongers and fascists steal your patriotism. We need to always challenge them: head on.