1: the quality or state of being proud: such as
a: inordinate self-esteem : CONCEIT
b: a reasonable or justifiable self-respect
c: delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship
parental pride

A. Some Americans have this type of pride. I don't get it. These are the guys who unabashedly support anything the US does. They look down on other nations. They find superiority in being an American. I don't have this type of pride.

B. This pride is conditional. It relies on circumstances. I'm proud of the foundational principles that built the United States. I believe those ideals should be protected. It's what makes America and Americans great. I'm not proud when we abandon those ideals for the sake of convenience. I'm not proud when we leave citizens translators stranded in Afghanistan, because our government doesn't care about keeping it's word. I'm not proud of government overreach. I'm not proud of the corporatism that is overtaking this country.

C. This pride is relational. This is the driving force behind patriotism. On the whole, I delight in being a US citizen. I'm grateful that the ideals that built the US provided me with more opportunity and freedom than most people have known in history.

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