patriotism

independence from British rule. Lacking a stable government and financial resources, our

predecessors marched on an endless grid of bloody battle fields with the vision of a new

nation---a nation in which they shared a love not for what it was, but for what it had the

potential to be. This was an era of absolute allegiance, when little boys paid homage to

our politicians and hoped to one day be a leader in a free and equal nation. Such

love--such nationalism--has never been so potent as that critical moment in history.

Unfortunately, our nation has seen a regression in patriotic deeds. Politics are

disregarded and, likewise, politicians are deemed as fools. Paul Goodman addresses this

issue in the excerpt, “Patriotism” , from the novel, Growing Up Absurd. In this piece,

Goodman attempts to identify some of the key factors which have contributed to the

decline of patriotism, ultimately placing the responsibility on many of society’s affluent

Goodman first places the responsibility on parental guidance within the home.

“....patriotism is the culture of childhood and adolescence. Without this first cul

. . .
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Approximate Word count = 1667
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)