I’ve been faced with a challenging question. Am I “Patriotic” to my country?

I like to think of myself as a modern “Lady Liberty”!

I’m an American. Yes. I AM patriotic—but in my own way.

Many folks I know—especially those of the “conservative” and “republican” ilk seem to think I’m a liberal person who absolutely hates these United States of America due to my social views.

That’s me!  Many of my political remarks may sting others like a bee–and I have a lot of “uh-oh” moments–but it doesn’t mean I’m NOT patriotic!

I am a proponent of

Marriage Equality for all!   Oh yes I am. WHO has the right to judge who people can love?   WHO has the right to judge who people can marry and (hopefully) spend the rest of their lives together with? Note to those who oppose. Mind your own stinking business. If you are not a proponent of this equality, go about your own daily lives and accept others the way you were taught to. Be kind.

You love who you love–you marry who you want to marry.  What happened to our melting pot of a country?  The melting pot means everyone!

Equal Pay for Women: Women work just as hard, if not harder than men. There is no reason a woman should not be paid on the same scale as her male counterparts. Listen—how many men these days are the actual “bread winners” (a medieval term, if I must say so myself) of their families? Due to the rising costs of medical insurance, higher education and housing, more and more women are out in the work field—AND these same women go home to manage their households AND are responsible for most of the childrearing, which, BTW, is a non-salaried job! Don’t even get me started on this.

Women work just as hard if not harder! We deserve equal pay–if not more!

Raising the Minimum Wage: Not everyone in our great country has had the opportunity to receive a college education. In addition, many grown adults who have lost jobs and cannot find reemployment–especially due to age, bigotry and lack of education, end up with jobs that pay minimum wages. How can these hard workers support a family let alone themselves? The cost of housing has skyrocketed over the years. The cost of groceries has skyrocketed. In fact, the friggin’ cost of living itself has risen dramatically. Everyone deserves to re-enter through the door of the endangered species of the middle classes. Don’t look down at those who have minimum-wage jobs—instead raise their pay rate and raise their self-esteem! This is America-dammit! Everyone should be treated with respect and paid at a better rate!

Is THIS the new look of housing because people can’t afford anything better due to low minimum wages?   It’s a sad state when a home is something only the wealthy can afford.

Lower Military Spending: This one really gets some people going. Why—I’m glad nobody I know who disagrees with this has never had stones in their hands or my fish-belly white,  freckled skin would be black and blue! My J. Crew schoolboy blazer would be a filthy mess! Oh—and please let’s not even go into how messed up my hair would be.

You see, I don’t think our troops need to be stationed throughout Europe. WWII ended years ago. OK? There is wasted money in this!

Instead, lets’ use that war-monger money to help the troops who have come home instead of spending it on future military use. There are thousands upon thousands of soldiers who have come home to these United States that they DEFENDED and are treated worse than animals. These men and women—especially the wounded ones need to be taken care of—and should be by the government instead of donations from private tax-payers. If the military is going to spend—spend it on those who came home.

How about lowering military spending for the future and concentrating on distributing the funds to wounded warriors like this brave soldier?  Our wounded troops deserve better when they come home!

Because of these views—I have been told I am NOT patriotic. Isn’t that funny? I want the best for my fellow Americans—but I’m unpatriotic!

Trust me—I’ve actually had a relative tell me I am so unpatriotic that I should move out of America. To that I asked “Have you ever been to Normandy, France to pay homage to our fallen American soldiers?”

Yes—that’s right “Unpatriotic” little me has been to Normandy—and it was the most moving visit I’ve ever made. It was overwhelming to go to the cemeteries and see the incredible amount of headstones of those who died for our freedom and the freedom of others.

I would say that a trip like this to Normandy is just a tad more patriotic than a trip to Disneyworld–and trust me, it isn’t more expensive!

Free Medical for Every American: Another sticky subject. I’m not talking Obamacare either. As an unemployed American, I was forced into “Obamacare”—and if I didn’t go that route, I would be fined. Nice thing to do to an American! That being said, I now have a healthcare program which I pay into, but I still have to pay out-of-pocket expenses because my annual skin-cancer check is not covered as the health insurance I have will not pay my dermatologist. The only winners in this Healthcare situation are the INSURANCE COMPANIES. When will people wake up? If our taxes were raised MINIMALLY, then everyone would have affordable healthcare!

These words are so correct!

 I’m called a “pinko commie” for this. Dare I use the “s” word either? I mean REALLY, do people not realize that our public school system is a socialist program? Also, pink is NOT my favorite color—and I am certainly NOT a “commie”! Can I be referred to as a “navy blue with contrasting lime green humanist” instead? Those colors are far more flattering on me!

Honestly, these colors are SO much better on me than “pinko”!!

The Right to Higher Education Without Going Into Debt:  Why is a college education turning into an elitist movement? I have a daughter who literally owes the equivalent to a mortgage in student loans! Wanna know why? Because the banks are allowed to be legal loan sharks! The amount of interest paid to the banks on student loans is a disgrace!! Politicians are so afraid to spank the hands of the banker—I guess it’s because the politicians are sleeping in a cash-strewn bed with them!

And I get a chuckle from the one-percenters who feel that if someone cannot afford the price of a respected university then community college is the way to go. Yes. For the first two years a community college can be a help—but continuing on, a university diploma is needed. Get off your high horses. Every child deserves the right to a college education. Regardless of their financial situation. Perhaps administrators’ salaries should be lowered. Or the banks can hand out interest-free loans to students.

My daughter, Oona, at U of MD graduation. The amount of interest she has to pay to the loan-shark bankers is disgusting. If she didn’t have the high interest rate, her loan payments would be much more affordable!  She wasn’t smiling this brightly after sending off her first student loan payment!

Separation of Church and State: Since when did our America become a religion? Really, this confuses me to no end. There was actually a time when religion and state were completely separate! Can you believe it? Jesus did his job—and politicians did their jobs. And never the two shall meet. Until the religious righties sidled their way into politics!   Guess what? I’m Catholic. That is my religion. I don’t care what your religion is. Just keep ALL man-made religions out of politics. The two don’t mix.

My BFF, Hipster Jesus came to me again. I had nothing to offer him to drink, so he whipped up some wine out of nowhere!  Anyway, he was venting to me. “Why can’t these people leave me out of politics?”  “Don’t they realize I have other issues to take care of–like getting others to be kind and respectful?”  Poor guy–we need politicians to just be politicians!

OK–maybe a bit NICER than him–but wait! House of Cards IS based on today’s politicians who all have personal agendas and don’t really care about “We The People!”

Regardless of my different views, I AM patriotic.

When I stand at attention to pledge to our flag, I pledge to my country instead. My heart warms. My eyes sometimes become misty. I am proud!

I don’t wear my patriotism on my sleeve. Instead I try to be patriotic in my actions.

I don’t need to display something like this on my person. It looks vulgar!

I try to treat others with respect and kindness and equality.

I try to be a diplomat of sorts when I travel internationally. I am polite and respectful and strive to make a good impression not just for my country but for my country’s people.

I attempt to make a good impression on my visits abroad!  I’m  a nice broad abroad!

I don’t take my freedom for granted—I realize that I am lucky to have it…

And…I vote! Yes. I vote. To me, voting is the most patriotic action that I can make. You see, many fellow Americans don’t vote. They have excuses like…

Yes, lazy person with excuses! Your vote DOES count!

“Why should I bother? ” The jerks are just gonna win anyway” Really? Only a true jerk would think that way! Yeah, a jerk MAY win–either way, the person you vote for may or may  not win the election.  You will be able to complain with glee because you will be validated because you voted!

“I don’t have time to vote” Oh. I see. And HOW many reality TV shows did you have the time to watch this week?”

“My vote won’t count”. This is the most lame-brained excuse. Yes. Your vote WILL count—and will add up with the many other votes of people who use that same excuse!!!

And the most amazing thing is, these people who are too lazy to go out and vote are the ones who complain the most!

Hey. Guess what?? I LOVE and LIVE to complain (and it isn’t because I’ve become French by osmosis). Therefore I am validated in any complaint I can make about the government because I did my patriotic duty to vote!

So yeah—my patriotism may not be the norm—but I’m still patriotic.

Hmmmm..My red slut shoes, with navy skinny jeans, a white T-shirt and a Navy Schoolboy blazer are MY red, white and blue of choice!

Red “Walk of Shameless Patriotism” Shoes

Blue Skinny Jeans….

A Navy J. Crew Schoolboy blazer and a white tee shirt make for an every day patriot ensemble! So subtle and refined–yet so….American Beauty!

I’m one bangin’ hotly dressed Patriot!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO!! Remember–we all may not agree with each other politically or anyway else–but the fact we can express ourselves freely–well, we are a lucky bunch of people!  Be kind and respectful..and humorous even when disagreeing! It’s all good!

Naturally, how can I not share Neil’s “America”!!

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/i-pledge-allegiance/”>I Pledge Allegiance</a>