Fellow veteran here. Good on you for having an open mind. Part of the problem is most Americans don't travel. They have no idea how the rest of the world lives.

I'm French, living in French-speaking Belgium for 22 years. The borders with both Germany and Luxembourg are only a 20/30 minute drive from home. I do not deny my French roots, I am and will remain culturally French, but beyond holding French and Belgian ID's, I'm a European Union citizen at heart. This might be due to my personal situation as a tri-border multilingual person, and I' aware that people like me probably still are a minority (esp. in my generation of boomers), but for me being a EU citizen is/should be the new patriotism on our continent. A new patriotism founded on peace and friendship instead of war and hatred as it was too often the case in the past. Am I a dreamer? The future will tell.

I can't speak for other countries, but in Australia we focus our patriotism/love of country very differently. Americans are patriotic to their flag, government, laws, constitution, pledge of allegiance, etc. Australians hate all that stuff, instead we have a strong love our people, cultures, wildlife, the land, the sky...we belong to our natural country, not our man-made institutions. Australians very much love and will defend to the death our people, our environment, and our country, but we're more than happy to use our freedom of expression to make fun of, criticise, and harshly condemn our politicians, our government, our institutions, our laws and constitution, even our flag, anthem, and national holiday as needed.

As a german i am coming from a country with maybe the lowest level of national pride. When KZfaqr form other countrys, especialy US americans react to this topic, they often say something like, they can kind of understand it, but WW2 was long ago and germans should be patriotic again. And it always sounds like they feel sad for us germans because we have lost something. And that always felt strange to me. Becouse i don't think we have lost something but we got something. We got an awereness, where blind patriotism can lead to. We have the saying "I am proud of not being proud". Not all germans, but many feel that way. Of course there are some conservatives and rightwings trying to push patriotism in germany again. Claiming there is a good and a bad kind of it. And maybe one day germans will be patriots again. But then i will have the feeling, that we are loosing something.

As a Finn, to me patriotism means being loyal to the people of Finland. It means taking care of our people (all of us) and taking care of our nature. The flag is a symbol of that.

Both patriotism and nationalism help ignoring what's embarrassing about Your country. The difference is just gradually.

When I look at kids at an American school starting the day with the pledge of allegiance towards an American flag, it gives me the creeps. What kids are being taught there feels like indoctrination to me. You see the same thing happening in totalitarian regimes.

"If you criticize your country you don't love it" is a really stupid proposition. If your child behaves badly you criticize its behaviour and want it to be changed. Does that mean that you don't love your child? Of course not! The opposite is true!

The thing that gets me is the homeless. You'll do your damnedest to cross the street just so you don't have to acknowledge them. But you see a man/woman in one of your nation's armed forces uniforms and... You can't get to them quick enough to thank them for their service. But even with that, within a few paces after you've left their presence - you've already started to forget them.

Imagine living in a 1950''s that was the perfect ideal home. But it has the same furnishings, tv, fridge, wallpaper, carpets etc. You would love the idea of what it was, but want to bring it up to todays standard. Repair, redecorate, install internet, rewire, new tv and electricals etc. The USA is like the old 1950's house, out of date and living in the past

I mean, I am a German living in Ireland and people here tend to have their tricolours everywhere and quite a few people are Irish this, Irish that, all the time, but it's a bit more tongue-in-cheek and it's not the "we're the best ra-ra-ra" kind of thing, usually. You also won't see people run around decked out in green, white and orange all day long (unless it's Paddy's Day or you are watching football or rugby). This country, within 30 years went from a place nearly ruled by the catholic church to a progressive and relatively multi-cultural society. Birth control was only available by prescription, including condoms, until around 1992 and only to married couples. In 1993 same-sex sexual activity was legalised. It was not legal to get divorced until 1997. 2010 same-sex "civil partnerships" were introduced, 2015 the Irish constitution was amended to allow same-sex marriage. In the same year, transgendered people were allowed to self-declare their gender. 2017 Leo Varadkar, whose father was Indian, became the first openly gay Prime Minister of Ireland, a year later the constitution was amended to allow abortion. (one should add that the Irish constitution can only be amended after a proposal passes in parliament by simple majority and said proposal is approved by public referendum, also by simple majority). Societal change and criticism of what goes on in Ireland here is not thought to be "un-Irish" or unpatriotic and you can have a discussion about it even as a foreigner living here and only a handful of morons would respond with "leave if you don't like it" or "you hate Ireland" unless you are completely unreasonable about it. This place is far from perfect, the housing crisis here is getting worse, not better, but people genuinely care and most thrive to make it better. Yet, nobody in their right mind would say Irish people aren't patriotic or have no national pride. For some reason, though, in the US a huge reactionary movement is going on who want to turn back the clock, become more religious, conflate freedom with "I get to do whatever I want, f u" and patriotism with "no criticism allowed, because we are so free"

I can only recommend watching Second Thought's videos, they are more important to Americans than ever. Nice to see an American's reaction to this.

I am from New Zealand, compared to most our country is pretty great, but there are limits to what we can do. It amazes me that a country that has the wealth America has doesn't top the list in every metric, you have the ability to, you just don't seem to have the will.

Good video and reaction, Nate👍👍. If patriotism = solidarity (stated in the video and wihich I also think), then there is no patriotism in the US. I think the US is not a society where people are solitaire with each other, but a country where everybody is on his own. You succeed or you don't. Good luck, y'all.

Heard from hostel guys all over Europe that some backpackers from the US carry Canadian flag/tell people they're Canadians so that they'd be treated better lol

I am from America and I completely agree

It's basically indoctrination from birth. Your views are spot on mate. If you have a car that runs badly and uses a lot of fuel you can either ignore the problem and continue filling up your tank every day, or you can deal with the problem and save money, the environment and have a better driving experience. Your views on 2A is very refreshing.

I'm really glad you talked about nationalism!!! People generally don't realise the difference. I always think that when people say 'if you don't like it leave', how will things ever change or improve if the people who want to make it better are essentially banished. I'm from the UK, and we have a pretty shady past. There is an awful lot wrong. The great thing is, is that we own it!!! You find it in our comedy, in our banter. It's kinda great to realise this. Great reaction by the way 👌

Hi Nate, it's been a while since I've seen videos which you post, you are always interesting, informative and have a good balance of thoughts and ideas. You do have an advantage over many US Americans in that you have travelled and lived outside of the US, this is as very important, but I don't need to explain how or why to you about that, the video you reacted to is excellent and Americans should be encouraged to watch more material like this, the fact that it is made by an American is important, but as was said at the beginning, he gets a lot of hate for making this type of content, knowledge is power and it is a shame that so many people in the US actively choose to remain ignorant about places outside the US and the truths within it, thank you for not being one of those people and for being interested in the world outside of your home borders, take care :)

Volker Pispers, ein deutscher Kabarettist, hatte es mal folgendermaßen ausgedrückt: "Wer gar nichts hat, weder Geld noch Verstand, der hat immer noch das Vaterland." Volker Pispers, a German cabaret artist, once put it this way: "If you have nothing at all, neither money nor brains, you still have the fatherland."

As an Australian who lived in the USA for 15 years I never ceased to be amazed at all of the flags. I created my own l(law to explain it. The larger the flag flying over a business the more crooked the business. Car dealers take note.

The only moment when i see the Dutch flag🇳🇱 everywhere here in the Netherlands is on kingsday and i have the Dutch flag hanging on my wall in my appartement and of course my thumbnail picture i love my country but i would never claim that it is the greatest it's not no country is perfect. No offence but the people in the United States States the so called land of the free it's not are being sold a lie the vast mayority of US citizens are being brainwashed once again no offence. Other than that a great video keep up the great work Nate👍 And greetings from the Netherlands🇳🇱

I take my hat off to you not an easy subject to put out , but needs to be said and this video was 100% accurate so we'll done to you , from the u.k. . 👍

I’ve always found americas patriotism so interesting because unless you’re a native, your family has probably only been there for a few generations since pretty much all Americans are descendants of Europeans

Nate, spot on. There are videos that are called "why (insert country) is the best in the world" There is no such thing! Most countries are very good at certain things, there is always room for improvement Nationalism is dangerous, patriotism is not. AS far as the US is concerned, there are a lot of reports of immigration problems, homelessness and drugs on the street and mass shootings. Most of those things are not exclusive. We have those, apart from the shootings, in the UK, but on a smaller scale To me, the US's problems are getting bigger than they were ten years ago and the appetite to solve them smaller. That could be the way its reported

I'd like to understand what having your national flag hanging outside your home or on vehicles means to people. It's almost like they want others around them to know you are a 'patriot', whilst in other countries it is just assumed you are. And if you aren't, well no one would really care. Wartime would be the only time I can imagine these nations would openly express any kind of public patriotism. Do Americans feel they are in some kind war with the rest of the world? Is it because they believe (as they are constantly told by their politicians) that many countries in the rest of the world hate them and their way of life and they 'show the flag' as a symbol of solidarity against this hatred? Considering all their tax dollars disappear into some vast government hole never to be seen again nor spent on helping it's people in time of want or public infrastructure etc etc, I don't understand why such patriotism exists when the only benefactors are the ones in power who care not one dot about their existence other than providing them with more wealth.

I really like this reaction. What you said at the end is crucial, I think: you have empathy. Empathy and patriottism don't go together. Empathy and nationalism feel like natural enemies. Maybe the problem is that the US is too isolated, not literally but at least figuratively. Knowledge will set you free, education will open eyes, but it seems like this is being actively opposed by your government. Socialism and communism are, for example, not at all the same. In the narrative of the right wing, they use them as synonyms as far as I can tell. I am not proud of being a belgian, because it is not something I have done anything for. My country is beautiful, but it does not define me. If we could all take the good from each system and fashion the perfect society, like you say, it would be awesome. I would love to see more people thirst for knowledge the same way they thirst for power and money. To me, the patriottism feels like it is a cover up, a ruse to hide insecurity. It's like being born rich - not your achievement, but a weird thing to be proud of. I hope I am making sense, it is late and English is not my first (nor second) language.

Agree I love England, lived here my whole life but god we have a lot of problems in many areas

This can be applied to human relationships. Many friends abandoned me, because I was too honest to them and never avoided to tell them their flaws, harmful views, delusions. I wasn't doing that, because I hated them or to annoy them. I was doing that because I cared of them and wanted them to help develop as a person. I wouldn't even bother to criticize people I don't give a s*** about.

I`m also the opinion that you can love your country , but you don`t have to have nationalflags hanging everywhere to express it. Unfortunately the expressions proud , homeland and honor are often abused by racists , which I think is terrible and that they don`t have any other allow opinion.

Being in Germany for some time I saw that native Germans lost their country to Syrians and Turks. A lot of them don’t want to dive deep into the German or European culture but they brought their own. And I see a lot of people who don’t like it. But they cannot say a shit because what… “You’re a racist!”. And nobody wants to listen that it is not about the race but about a common sense and a respect for those who around you. Damn, they used to called Merkel “Mama Merkel”. And again: you can’t say anything. You’re nothing. As for socialism: don’t confuse it with something else - COMMUNISM. I’m Ukrainian and I know what I’m talking about. You can try any known economical system but do not try that. A bunch of guys have already tried…

I'm an American military veteran by the way and I believe you are spot on. Great video!

I'm from the UK and am patriotic about my home country and sometimes it is hard to listen to someone criticising your home / country but you should at least listen to what they have to say and be open to consider what they say is true. I know the UK is not perfect and has issues of it's own, and I accept that... as everyone should. I do not think that ANY country is the best in the world at everything, it can't be.... but that is an individuals opinion based on their wants / desires. But you should be open to pointing out issues that may not be important to you, but they could be extremely important to many other people.

I couldn't agree more Mr. Lawson. For years I have thought that the pledge was super strange....and you're 100 over 109 when it comes to the ridiculousness of waving the flag everywhere.

American patriotism comes down to..."my country, right or wrong". The problem is the acceptance of the wrong without stopping the wrong or even pointing them out.

I think it has to do that US patriotism is kinda new. For one the country is young and secondly it was not united under some sort of general Americana that came with the white flight in the 40s and 50s. People started seeing themselves more like American then from the old country. Less German/Swedish/dutch social clubs and more NRA and HOA. In this humble Swedes opinion.

Well spoken, Nate! We should learn from each other and learn to listen instead of just hearing (while thinking about our next argument to win the discussion and shut up the opponent). Many people, myself included, think that their truth is the only truth and thus they might hear what others have to say, but they don't listen. Actually, they"re not interested in what others have to say. They just pretend.

I get called a traitor and a filthy intellectual every time I write about bills passed in red states. After 6-7 years of it, I’m used to it. My grandparents emigrated here. I went to my grandfather’s citizenship ceremony, he was so proud. We have issues serious issues in this country, no one is a traitor for criticizing the US

It has to be otherwise more Americans would be questioning what their politicians, big corporations and the military industrial complex are up to. They're being taken for a ride, fed the nonsense they have a choice in elections when both parties are two cheeks of the same ass. If more Americans were better informed of foreign affairs, they'd wonder aloud why the foreign policy of their country never changes no matter which party has the whitehouse or congress. That's down to the people behind the politics, the same banks, corporations, military industrials funding both parties. If both parties are in the same pockets, it follows both parties largely follow the same policies.

"patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel"

I saw responses from people in other countries about merca. One guy said “flags in every classroom, do American school children forget what country they’re in?” 😆.

I always laugh when I see so many US flags and think Americans have such short memories they have to be reminded every few minutes what country they are in. Seriously though a great video.

Samuel Johnson (1709-84) ‘Patriotism is the Last Refuge of the Scoundrel’.

Yes, I got you. You re being critical in order to show where are the problem. You re trying to inform people for trying to improve what is wrong at your scale. I have respect for dat

Whoa, I have never thought of it that way or even imagined connecting those dots.

I'm not American. Many of my heroes are American. I wouldn't want them to have to leave America to have a better life. I do long for a better life and brighter future for them, above and beyond what I wish upon all Americans, upon all humans. I could not afford the drop in quality of life I would incur by becoming American myself. It's horrifying how much worse off I would be. My country is certainly not a shining example of how to get it right, and I too struggle with the idea that I am expected to be grateful that I am not even worse off than I am right now. I do not hate America. I do not hate my country. I feel deep sadness that life is still this bad for so many people, in this day and age. I feel that all of humanity deserves better, than to settle for such a crappy deal. If that makes me a traitor, or an enemy, I must ask: Who am I betraying? Who am I an enemy of? Not WHAT, who.

You're a nice person dude 👍 From a french guy.

Americans, as a people, need to constantly convince themselves of their own righteousness, greatness & exceptionalism.

You're a young country, that's why you have to show your patriotism everywhere and every time to secure yourself. In Europe, we don't need to do that, we know who we are since a really long time, we put much importance to our culture, our long history, our people, etc, to "show" our patriotism.

Nationalism is the greatest tool in keeping everyone in their place, it is so powerful in america where the majority are living in the worst conditions in the developed world, conned into not looking over the fence where every blade of grass is greener. Oh the other trick was the american dream where the individual is labelled lazy for not providing for themselves and their family and obviously undeserving of assistance. I used to think the arrogance/ignorance was funny but now its sad and frustrating to see the waste and misery. Gov'ts have been overthrown for less. Btw the only place I've seen lots of flags is scandavia! Not at home here in uk.

The way I see it, part of loving your country and being a patriot is wanting to make your country better and to improve. The nationalists seem to forget that.

Patriotism is having a sincere love of your own people, your own culture and hoping and working for it to be successful and continuing. Nationalism, however, is largely about taking credit for things that better people than you did, and hating people you never met...

In UK we focus on giving people at least the basics a human being should expect to have shelter, health care and education. I know we’ve a long way to go yet but it’s a lot better than US. We try to focus our freedoms to spend time with family without worrying about if someone gives birth or gets ill it could bankrupt you and put you on the street. The freedom to know that our kids can get free education up to and including University without finishing it in thousands of dollars debt. Freedom to start any full time job and be entitled to at least 20 days (part time pro rata) + public holidays paid holiday, paid sick leave. Freedom to send our kids to school and not have to teach them intruder alert drills or, God forbid, a school shooting. Freedom to stop our freedom of speech if it’s racist, hate or wants to incite violence - we try to live in peace rather than fear and hate.

9:00 The founders also specified a process by which the Constitution may be amended, and since its ratification, the Constitution has been amended 27 times to date.

I agree brother. I am German living in Australia and criticism is not hatred. I love both places and much of the world I have travelled to. I am often me with... if you don't like it then leave. Nope, my response is if you don't like it block me. 🤟

Americans need to understand that most thinking people in the world really do dislike Americans in general.

Finally, according to former Contra leader Edgar Chamorro, CIA trainers also gave Contra soldiers large knives. "A commando knife [was given], and our people, everybody wanted to have a knife like that, to kill people, to cut their throats".[62][63] In 1985 Newsweek published a series of photos taken by Frank Wohl, a conservative student admirer traveling with the Contras, entitled "Execution in the Jungle": The victim dug his own grave, scooping the dirt out with his hands ... He crossed himself. Then a contra executioner knelt and rammed a k-bar knife into his throat. A second enforcer stabbed at his jugular, then his abdomen. When the corpse was finally still, the contras threw dirt over the shallow grave - and walked away

If you dont like it, go away... Well. Here in Germany we had a time when we thought the same way... It ended 1945 And a lot people did not like it and went away... Carl Djerassi (Anti-Baby-Pill), Martin Deutsch, Max Delbrück, John W. Cahn, Max Born, Felix Bloch, Hans Bethe, Max Bergmann, Albert Einstein, Walter Elsasser, James Franck, Leonard Mandel and the list goes on for lots more... Some of the names should be known for you... all went away, scared by "German patriotism"... cause they did not like what happened... cause they did not like the nationalism... Cause they feared the Nazis... Maybe thats why we learned some doubts about patriotism and national pride here... well, most of us...

Nate, you are a good man, husband and a free mind... i say as a former proud medic german soldier. Yo are a good American, you are no ignorant man ..my honest respect,,, ich ziehe meinen Hut" )

Freedom is always the freedom of the dissenter.

In Germany, flags are only shown on cars or houses by private persons when a soccer European Champioship or World Champioship is held. Especially this summer when the European Champioship took place in Germany :)

As a European I find it strange how confused most USAians are with not understanding the difference between USA and America. Although you are aware of the difference you still claim the demonym American to describe USAians. All USAians are Americans, but not all Americans are USAians 🤣

Thank you for pointing something out very early (I might have a slightly different opinion, I'm German, and German patriotism is "constitutional patriotism" and/or very local): (US)American patriotism, to a European (!), feels *a lot* like *pure chauvinistic nationalism* . I consider myself a patriot. For me that means I'm deeply critical (maybe even slightly paranoid) about the constitution of this nation and extremely careful about what people might consider appropriate. Yes, I'm an academically trained historian and a *highly* historically conscious German. The "right or wrong" argument for me is a necessity in it's *full* notion. If wrong to *set* right. I don't know whether I would have had the guts to stand with "the men of the 20th July" - I would love to be certain but I am not. But I hope. And I see it as a necessity. And I feel "you" US-Americans should have the *right* to feel a love for their nation in a similar way, not unquestioningly click their heels and obey. "We" did this and I feel we have shown that it's a ever so slightly problematic notion. And yes, I click my heels and offer a little bow in greeting ever since the Covid19 epidemic🤣, but hey I descent from Prussian Huguenots, a suppressed religious minority rescued *by Prussia...* Best regards Raoul G. Kunz

If individuals are not open to listen and deny anything that contradicts that, without even listening or considering that what they know may not be true or needs to be changed, no amount of talking to will change their minds. If you can explain what's wrong and get them to listen and think then there is a chance. If they don't want to listen there is nothing you can do.

The craziest thing i wanted to be when I was 8 was to grow up and die for my country 😂😂😂 yeah second was a fireman

Switzerlands constitution has renewed some times since 1848, last time 1999 and agreed by the Swiss citizens. Our constitution is open for changes if the people decides so.

the US the word patriotism is often used to describe what is really nationalism. When so-called patriots say things like 'America, love it or leave it,' (usually directed at someone expressing an opposing point of view) they are really engaged in Nationalism!!! When people criticized candidate Obama in 2007 for not wearing an American flag pin that was nationalism. Saying that someone else is not as good as you because you are more patriotic is nationalism. When patriotism is wielded like a weapon it is nationalism!!!!

As a Canadian, please run for office! Your country need more people with your common sense approach!

As a Canadian having heard, talked to and observed many Americans, I think much of this blind patriotism is a result of too little exposure. A majority of Americans have not traveled outside their country and many not even outside their state. They haven't made effort to learn of other countries, cultures or other ways to do things and most media is from United States itself. There education varies but is centered mostly on United States history and culture and therefore haven't had the benefit to really see something else. In this way they blind themselves to other ideas and ways of doing things and with little to compare themselves to results in a blinded, biased viewpoint of themselves and the world. This in its own way makes the average American just as easy to manipulate as the people of a communist or dictatorial country like Russia.

When your opposition don't like something in the states, they don't move away, so why should you?

DANKESCHÖN!

Well, being a patriot us something good but the line between patriotism and nationalism is very thin. I think that many over there (I live in Germany) are nationalistic without being aware of it!

It has something to do with the caps they wear. They are 2 sizes too small. What little brain matter there is squashed is beyond saving.

Some rational thinking here.

Dear Nate, the root of the problem is the belief that there's no country better than the US - indoctrinated into the citizens from a young age via the pledge of allegiance. If you believe that your country is the best then all criticism is a sign of hatred against it. Even facts may not help in convincing people that there's room for improvement because this is not a factual topic but a highly emotional issue. Acknowledging that there's something wrong with your country is shattering the picture of the world those people have, it uproots the foundations of their existence. That's hard and for some people impossible to do. My impression of your politicians and the majority of your media is that they are not interested in bringing the hard topics to the table. But that is necessary to make people aware that things can be better and should be better. YT videos like this of Second Thought and yourself are good, but they reach only so many people and that's a fraction of what big news shows on the networks reach. CU twinmama PS: One of my favorite video game characters is Dorian of Dragon Age Inquisition. He's asked why he's so critical of his country and does he hate his country - he answers that on the contrary, he wants to improve his country because he cares for and loves his country. You sound a lot like him - and I like it.

4:00 The pledge of allegiance is the wildest shit to me. It's pure indoctrination. To have kids behave like they are in the military and pledge their live to the country is just..... wow......

that#s the thing. There is not a "huge" difference between patriotism and nationalism. There is no nationalism without patriotism. Patriotism is just the "gateway drug".

Finland has topped the World Happiness Report for 6 years straight. And no one has been more vocal against this than us Finns. Pointing out all the problems is but one part of the equation, you also need the will to fix the system so that it better matches the people's image of what it should be like. As someone also pointed out in the comments: being patriotic towards your flag is unnecessary; to your nation: healthy; to taking care of your fellow people's wellbeing within said nation: a non-negotiable part of being patriotic.

Patriotism is just the first step to nationalism. There is only a thin border in between. When the love for your country turs to hate for others

People went to the senate...

American patriotism isn't patriotism, it's nationalism.

Nose diving right to the ground. I think this sentence is important for everyone of us. Me, gaston from germany.

I want to quote Stephen Maturin, one of Patrick o' Brians most famous characters: "But you know as well as I, patriotism is a word; and one that generally comes to mean either `My country, right or wrong`, which is infamous, or `My country always right`, which is imbecile.". That covers exactly what I`m thinking about Patriotism. I`m a german male, born in 1963 and I worked all over the world, including USA (Boston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles) and Canada.

Apart from America, the only other place that I have seen so flag-filled is Nuremberg, as portrayed in the famous Nazi propaganda film, "The Triumph of the Will."

The extremely young age of the founding fathers was a surprise...more like founding boys!! Wow 18!! Interesting video 🤟

Loved it

The year I lived in the states was more than enough to last a lifetime of seeing that flag.

I think that anyone who has served their country, whether as part of the military or as part of the medical, social, technological or scientific apparatus should feel entitled to a free pass to critizise said nation. Ex-Military-non-hero Brit here. I love my country too, but boy do I come down hard when I think it's getting out of control, I complain and whine. What your'e doing is more open and honest than my way. I'll take notes. Thanks for the content.

Patriotism is a good thing. It means a positive emotional connection to the culture, language, traditions and history of your country and nation, and it strengthens and maintains community awareness and cohesion among the members of the nation. And this helps the nation to survive and continue to exist. Patriotism is like the immune system, it protects the given nation/country from all influences that could lead to its disappearance. Which is presented here is not patriotism, it is chauvinism. It is not patriotism that is bad, it is CHAUVINISM. There is also moderate patriotism, which is capable of self-criticism and self-irony and does not connect patriotism with hatred of others. I am a hungarian conservative and yes, a patriot as well. I believe in patriotism and traditional values. Another issue is that Americans are often chauvinists in my eyes. It seems they haven't learned to distinguish patriotism from chauvinism.

"If you dont like it, go away" "Good pls stay there" I read such comments by the thousands in US "Critical" videos - childish!

Good video :D👍

To be fair, Americans have only been Americans for some two hundred years, while the English have been English for over a thousand years! 😀

I lived and worked in Russia pre- and post-Putin's rise to power and the level of patriotism in that country was palpable. It went from total lack of patriotism to uber-patriotism similar to what I see in the USA. Putin (at least to many Russians) really did make Russia great again and that has now become a problem. A country that does not allow an opposing view becomes autocratic. I fear for America.

Ordinary dude and dudettes of the world unite 🤘

Nationalism destroyed not only one of my home countries but both of them (I was born and raised in Austria and I am now a German national). In my youth, I watched my neighbor country tear itself apart. It is scary to watch all that bullshit in the media and thinking that it might happen again but this time in the US. And yes, nothing will ever change when people believe it is perfect already. And if you don't want to fall your country apart, your Goverment has to take way better care of your citizens. Better education instead of banning books, better working conditions and better health care. Otherwise the US will loose its edge in the long run and people will stop inventing things or getting new scientific developements.

@7:35 The point is, the US-Supreme-Court is not independent. The judges belongs to the democrates or to the republicans. So they decide what the democrats or the republicans want. This contradicts the separation of powers. The US Supreme Court has the task of ensuring that laws are constitutional and serve the well-being and interests of the citizens. This can only be guaranteed if the US Supreme Court is above the government and if the judges are not partisan. The judges must be independent. But they are not. And that is exactly where the flaw in the system in the USA lies.

Two clever guys on patriotism! And if criticizing is the best way of patriotism, than I am a German patriot! I am glad to live, and try to make it better, but I cannot be proud of beeing a German, as I did nothing for this, I have just beeing born.

Your last words were really cool

Seriously - the problem is that there is "patriotism" (I love my country - I know that there are things that could be better, and I can see other countries that have solved some of the problems - I want to improve the country that I love) and "nationalism" (I love my country - everything in it is just how it should be and anyone that disagrees is disloyal). Seems like the good ol' US of A has slid from the former to the latter.

If I "should be grateful" how grateful should billionaires be then?