Nationalism is not the same as patriotism

Let the Kennedy brothers teach you.  Link here.

Hat tip to Tom DiLorenzo writing on lewrockwell.com.

Nationalism celebrates force; it frolics in force; international status is nurtured and grows with force. Force expands the nation’s control over its own people every

time it is successfully applied to an enemy; therefore pure nationalists seek enemies to

destroy. Nationalism looks beyond the nation’s borders for opportunities to expand the

nation’s influence—be it economic, ideological, commercial and/or military influence or,

when the opportunity allows, not just influence but absolute control. Notice that this new

“nation of force” will ultimately look and act more like an empire than a simple nation.

Nationalists

Patriotism, on the other hand, is local; it looks inward to a community with local

traditions. Patriots see the nation as a means to protect local communities that compose

the nation. Patriots are members of local communities and their primary desire is

simply to be “let alone.” Patriots view people residing outside of the nation’s borders as

possible trading partners in which they can engage in voluntary exchange—an

exchange in which both sides gain. Patriots rally to the flag to defend the nation

because the nation is necessary to preserve and defend local communities.

Patriot

Get to know your neighbors.  Befriend a cop.  It can only help.