Technically, a patriot is a someone who espouses the “official” values of the nation, typically via ritual or ceremony (flags, pledges, etc.).
One can demonstrate degrees of patriotism, from the shallow (e.g. purchasing a “support our troops” bumper sticker, yet opposing additional personal payments (taxes) to support the actual war/troops), to the ultimate sacrifice (giving your life in combat).
The problem is that our founding fathers version of patriotism was focused on defending/supporting our *system* of government (i.e. the Constitution) vs. individual leaders, institutions, or objects. The current administration likes to do alot of flag waving and associate its values and authority as absolute, which I would label as nationalism. I think a true patriot is someone who is willing to defend the Constitution, question and change their appointed leaders, & sacrifice for their country (physically or financially).
As for the BSC bailout, I think it was a necessary evil. Credit markets seizing up, banks failing, etc. can cause untold damage to all. Also, this gov’t giveaway isn’t much different from all the rest, “privatize the gains & socialize the losses” – its how our “free”-market works…
