LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT ... [View All]

“Love It or Leave It!”
By Nancy Greggs

It is now accepted as conventional wisdom that if you remember the ‘sixties, you obviously weren’t there.

But no matter how hazy your recollection, if you came of age in that decade, you will never forget the words “Love it or Leave it.”

It was a phrase hurled at Liberal, anti-establishment, anti-Viet Nam War protesters back in my youth, often used by those who felt that any criticism of American policy, domestic or foreign, was a sign of being unpatriotic. It adorned posters and bumper-stickers, five words that could incite anger or smugness, depending on which side of the shouted epithet you found yourself on.

I think it’s time to bring back the concept, but in a different light. It is time for real Americans, patriots who hold steadfastly to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence upon which our nation was founded, to tell those among us who would thwart the spirit of those sacred documents that it might be time to pack up and go.

Don’t misread me; I am not talking about people who are dissatisfied with certain laws of the land, and attempt to change them through legislative channels, or even protests or civil disobedience. I am talking about people who wish to change, subvert, or circumvent the very ideals this country was founded upon.

Rosa Parks is a case in point, a shining example of an American willing to stand up for our country not as it was, but as it was meant to be. When she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man, she may have broken the prevailing segregationist laws that decreed that a woman of her race had ‘betters’ to be bowed to. But her act of defiance was in keeping with the concept of all men (and women) being created equal. She may have refused to conform to the mindset of her neighbours, but in so doing, she upheld the very concept of equality and freedom that our country was based upon.

The rest, as they say, is history.

But there has been a prevailing mindset throughout our nation of late, a mindset born of and encouraged by the current administration and its policies. It is time for Americans to stand firm in their belief that we are one nation, and those who would divide it for the sake of their own agenda would do best to move along.

Freedom of religion, and the right for each of us to express it in our own way, is a cornerstone of our democracy set firmly in place by the founders of our nation, people who had more than a passing familiarity with those who would persecute others for holding religious beliefs other than their own.

Unfortunately, the so-called Religious Right would have our beloved nation go down that very path of intolerance, and would destroy the carefully structured wall that separates Church and State.

There are still places around the world governed completely by religious fanatics, who have no patience with those who do not embrace their views. Perhaps the Religious Right should call their travel agents now. Granted, these regimes tend to be non-Christian; but those who truly believe that freedom of religion should not apply here in the USA would probably feel more comfortable among those who share their one-religion-fits-all philosophy. Besides, what more fertile ground could one find to spread Christianity than a country where it is in such short supply? Godspeed!

Freedom of the press; now there’s a concept. But given the current state of journalism in our nation, one would have to argue that freedom to disseminate bold-faced lies passed off as ‘facts’ are missing the Constitutional point. Freedom of the press was meant to be part of the checks-and-balances that keeps the citizenry informed, and those in government accountable. Far too many members of the press have become propagandists for the current administration and its policies, and the country would be better served if these so-called journalists looked elsewhere for employment.

There are any number of dictatorships where their endeavours would be welcome. A resume which includes a well-crafted piece on Jessica Lynch’s fight-to-the-death and subsequent rescue, or a thought-provoking article on how outing a CIA agent isn’t really a matter of law but an obscure technicality – well, with credentials like that, what propaganda-dispensing regime could resist?

Hey, remember Freedom of Speech? According to the current philosophy of some of our fellow citizens, this is a particular ‘freedom’ that has its limits. No, I’m not talking about the classic you-can’t-yell-fire-in-a-crowded-theatre idea. I’m talking about those who think that questioning a presidential decision – oh, for instance, getting the country involved in a quagmire of a war based on, shall we say, less than accurate information – is tantamount to treason.

The prevailing wisdom from this faction is that every American is free to express their opinion, so long as it aligns completely with the current president’s view.

Of course, this concept has a tendency to change according to how the prevailing political wind is blowing. We all remember that when a Democrat was in the White House, open disagreement was not only encouraged; in some quarters, it was mandatory. But apparently the rules change with a Republican administration. Anti-war protesters are anti-American. Those who question the economic soundness of enormous tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the poorest are Communists. Apparently, the pursuit of happiness is still marginally operational – just so long as you have the big bucks to afford it.

To those of you who think that freedom to express one’s opinion, openly and without fear of retribution, applies only to some political groups and not to others, I bid a fond farewell. There are countries around the globe that alter the rights of their citizens depending on who happens to be ‘in office’ at any given moment, and there are ships that leave for such destinations on a daily basis. Bon voyage!

As an American citizen, I find it difficult to even address the notion of torture. It is mind-boggling to believe that any American citizen would even consider it, no less the idea that an American administration would not only condone, but encourage such heinous behaviour.

For those who think the Geneva Conventions are quaint, rather than seeing them as a framework that reflects our humanity as Americans and a safeguard of our troops in times of war, I would remind you that there are many countries out there that share that viewpoint.

Of course, the countries that condone torture tend to be a bit uncivilized, but that’s just the nature of the beast. Unfortunately, the perfect society for you would have been Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Perhaps the current administration should have considered your proclivities before deposing him. Anyway, I’m sure there are still countries out there that you’ll absolutely adore – and I’m more than willing to help you pack.

And who could forget the staunch supporters of the Patriot Act? Why should American citizens have the right to counsel, the right to face their accusers, the right to a fair and speedy trial before, not after, unlimited incarceration? These seem to be outmoded ideas that some of you obviously feel have no place in modern society.

Again, there are any number of places where such rights are accepted as being passé. In fact, it’s a downright shame that the old USSR doesn’t exist as it did in its glory days – you would have LOVED it! But fear not, there are still regimes where you and your ideas can find refuge – and if you need further information on how to find them, don’t hesitate to call.

When you really think about it, there are all kinds of things this country represents that are now repugnant to many – justice under the rule of law, transparency of government, social safety-nets for the poor, fair elections. It just seems downright unethical that so-called Americans who find these Constitutional rights abhorrent should be forced to stay in a country so out of keeping with their strongly held beliefs.

This nation was founded upon freedom and democracy; that’s the way it is and, despite the efforts of the current administration and the endless greed of the corporations that support it, in the end that is the way it will always be.

So if you don’t love the United States of America as it was framed by our forefathers and is still currently constituted, you are free to leave. And I, for one, would be more than happy to give you a lift to the airport.

Oh, and one more thing: Don’t let Democracy hit you in the ass on the way out the door!