The whole flag thing got me thinking.

I know in my heart that if I walked down the street wearing an American flag pin, people would assume that I was Republican.  Furthermore, they would assume that I was a conservative Republican.

For the record, I am neither.

How did this happen?  Did we Democrats send a memo out at some point ceding the patriotic territory to the guys (and yes, they are almost all guys) on the other side of the aisle?

I know the Republicans didn’t take the flag away from us Democrats.  They couldn’t.  The flag belongs to all of us.  So the only explanation is that we gave it away.

It can be so frustrating to be a Democrat.  So what if we are right?  If we are not smart, being right doesn’t mean a hill of beans.

So, here’s my idea.  Now Senator Obama didn’t heed my last suggestion - to go public with his top 3-5 VP picks, but I’m just going to keep coming up with the big ideas, hoping someone might take me up on one of them.

Here goes.

It’s time for Democrats to reclaim the mantle of patriotism.   But our current form of democracy seems to have made some wrong turns on this American journey of ours.  Somewhere along the way, we forgot that this country was to be the beacon of freedom, of diversity.  Our country’s founding fathers were brilliant and compassionate.  Consider the words of the Constitution that ABC ran before commercial breaks during last night’s debate (the only smart thing they did all night) (although it further emphasized how small Gibson and Stephanopoulus were).

Barack, how about making a statement?  Consider wearing an American flag pin beginning today and until you take the oath of office on January 20, 2009.

Return to our roots.  Wear an American flag.   The original American flag.  The Betsy Ross version. The one James Madison wore as he was writing the Constitution.

It’s time to remind people what this country stands for.  Or what it stood for and needs to stand for once more.

Comments

[jaelithe]

I was under the impression that Barack Obama stopped wearing his flag pin to point out that many of those who wear them are giant flaming hypocrites.

(And I was totally rooting for him to say those exact words at the debate last night; so sad he didn't.)

[jaelithe]

Aha: found the original Obama quote on this subject I was thinking of:

"You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq War, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security, I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest. Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism."

[Glennia]

Where can I get one?

[Daisy]

He could challenge our knowledge of history by wearing a different flag pin at each stop or on each TV appearance. People would start to look for it, and examine it, and discuss which flag it was and why he might have chosen that particular flag for that particular appearance. What kind of statement will he make if he wears...48 stars? The original circle of 13? This summer's Old Navy flag t-shirt?

[Stefania/CityMama]

Daisy, ROFLMAO at your comment! This summer's Old Navy flag t-shirt! Bwahahahaha! You've just become our commenter of the week!

[Lawyer Mama]

Daisy just made me snort out loud!

Seriously though, I think you're right. I have a flag in front of my house and a yellow ribbon on my front door and my office door. People assume I'm a Republican because: (1) the whole flag thing; and (2) I have a brother in the Army and apparently I'm not throwing darts at his picture. Because, you know, that's what we Democrats do.

[Donna]

I think the Republicans took the flag because the Democrats recognized that using the flag in that manner was disingenuous... and the mindless dolts who think Fox News is *news* accepted the symbol as proof of patriotism.

It occurs to me that for a country as powerful as ours, we must be very insecure to have to wave our flag at every possible opportunity. When visiting the UK, you rarely see the Union Jack flying in front of a business. The Brits don't have a stupid pledge of allegiance (yes, you read that right - I think all this constant pledging to our flag is dumb) that they trot out before every public meeting.

I just think we are still a very young country with some maturing to do - especially when people think a politician HAS to show his or her patriotism by wearing a stupid little pin -- as if that's any indication of a candidate's honorable intentions or qualifications.

[Loralee]

Hmmm...

I am socially liberal person with fiscally conservative views. I am probably going to vote for Obama (I cannot stand McCain). That said, my view and in VERY GENERAL TERMS (Please keep that in mind) it honestly seems like many Dems are rather ashamed of our country.

Republicans? Not so much. Republicans have not always "Had their way". They have been very frustrated with the state of the Union in the past, but they seem to consistently take pride in the symbolism of America no matter what is going on, where it seems like Dems seem to apologize all over the place for the fact that they are American unless policy is running under their terms.

(Example? When Clinton invaded Serbia)

Even if you disagree with what is going on with certain areas (And I'm not saying there are some VERY valid concerns)I just think that there is still WAY more to be proud about with this country than ashamed. I just do.

Just a point of view.