Why "Present Day Patriots"?

As you can see on the side bar of this page, the word "patriot" is defined as: "a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors."

We cannot deny that our nation currently faces dangerous challenges. A nation over $14 trillion in debt, involved in numerous foreign conflicts, with unsecure borders and lacking serious leadership requires a society that will strive to restore the founding principles of the United States of America while offering up proven solutions to new problems.

We, as Americans, have two choices. We can allow the problems of our country to overrun us; we can allow incompetent "leaders" sink our nation with their self-serving agendas. We can be apathetic about our nations problems and let someone else figure it out for us. We can be “sunshine patriots” and wave an American flag when it is necessary or convenient, and not respect what that flag stands for.

Or, we can rekindle that fire called responsibility that is barely flickering in our modern culture. We can take responsibility for our actions, not lay the blame on another person, or another group. We can think for ourselves and seek out the truth rather than believing everything we hear on Facebook, Twitter, or the evening news. We can judge our leaders based on the "content of their character" rather than their outward appearance or catchy campaign slogans. We can learn of the humble origins of our country, and preserve and protect the rights and principles to which our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. We can be “present-day patriots.”

A government by, for, and of the people requires a “people” that cares about their leadership, their country, and their Founding principles. So…will we be apathetic, ignorant, and herded like sheep by our leaders, the role of the “sunshine patriot”? Or will we become educated on our founding principles, seek the truth in all that we do, defend the Constitution, and be Present Day Patriots?

Whether we like it or not, we have the opportunity—and the obligation—to be Present Day Patriots. Our nation depends on us. I hope this blog is interesting and encouraging to similar Present Day Patriots like myself, and enlightening to those who may lean to the side of “sunshine patriot.”

After all, in the words of Thomas Paine…

“THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.” –from The Crisis; December 23, 1776