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Basis for patriotism

I am rather tired of the sanctimonious, hypocritical Trump supporters, Republicans and person occupying the White House telling us what is "patriotic."

The flag is just a symbol and the national anthem a song. What is the essence of our country and what sets our country apart from all other nations on earth is the Constitution of the United States.

To be patriotic, one must support it, defend it and protect it. When the executive branch attempts to promulgate that kneeling during the showing of the colors or playing of the national anthem as a form of protest is "unpatriotic," he, his supporters and those members of his party who support that policy have no understanding of what the rights enumerated in the Constitution are.

When those same parties seek to curtail the rights under the First Amendment, they are not only being unpatriotic, they are, in fact, placing our republic in peril and represent a threat to our Constitution.

Remember, the First Amendment comes first for a reason, as it contains the most important rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights. We, all citizens, must not let those rights be abridged. In fact, perhaps the Second Amendment is second to ensure that no one messes with the First Amendment.

When the members of the Republican Party in Congress seek to stymie the lawful investigation of the special prosecutor and to facilitate in the obstruction of justice, or fail to act as a check and balance to the executive branch as they are obligated to do, they are clearly breaking their oath to defend and protect the Constitution. Patriots understand what makes our country great and it is not our flag or our anthem, it is the greatest political document ever drafted: The Constitution.

Rick Shopiro

Buffalo Grove

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