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Who says an American has to support Bush to support troops?
A fortnight before the election that some are calling the most important in American history, we're wondering who came up with those signs that say "Support President Bush and our troops."
The implication is that anyone who doesn't back the president doesn't support the brave men and women who are laying their lives on the line to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We object to that reasoning.
Patriotism is defined as love and support of one's country, not blind allegiance to any political leader.
Another label we find annoying this election season is "religious right," with its clear inference that if one is not part of that group, one must be a member of the "irreligious left."
It is possible to love this country and believe in its ideals without blindly agreeing with a career politician who, as president, is doing the best he can. He's not operating under a mandate from God, nor did those who founded this nation intend for him to do so. Being president is a job like any other; if citizens of the United States are not satisfied with their leaders' performance, they have a right – some would say an obligation – to say so. And if they choose to exercise that option, with a protest or with their vote, they are not being unpatriotic.
Both sides of the political spectrum seem to view this election as a contest of good vs. evil. In reality, it's the latest chapter, albeit the dirtiest one yet, of the United States' political history.
Anyone who has studied America's past understands that protesting against the government when you believe it to be wrong is exactly what the founding fathers had in mind when they made sure the Constitution guaranteed all citizens the right to free speech. And that same Constitution would not provide for free and open elections if its framers had wanted a king for citizens to deify.
Our founders had some lofty ideals when it came to freedom and liberty, and their descendants have struggled for years to live up to them, finally passing amendments recognizing the rights of all, regardless of race or gender.
We object to this labeling of people who disagree with the president as being unpatriotic, and we don't believe God takes sides in our elections.
We want to believe that we still live in the country that was founded 230 years ago by a brave group of rebels and protesters – a country where debate and dissent are encouraged for the stronger, more just society they create.
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