I’m in line at Costco, and in front of me is this guy and his wife, with two carts full of groceries, clothing, and…a HUGE American flag.
Seeing as how we had just taken down the terrorist responsible for 9/11, I could understand why there were a number of people who decided to celebrate their “patriotism” by purchasing flags.
The lines at Costco were particularly long that day, and apparently the guy with the flag felt that I looked like someone he could talk at. I don’t see how he drew that conclusion, but nevertheless – HE DID. Perhaps I was smiling…for a moment.
Here’s what he said:
GUY: “We got to support America dude. You ought to have one of these flags in your cart. We kicked some ass and now we have to take back our country. We have to support our troops.”
DR. MARC: “Great.”
GUY: “Do you have a flag? If you don’t, you should get one of these. They are made in the USA!”
DR. MARC: “No thanks.”
GUY: “Just not into it?”
DR. MARC: “Look pal…are you trying to go somewhere with this? And if you are – are you seriously considering getting into this with ME?“
GUY: “Sorry dude…I’m just pumped up.”
DR. MARC: “Okay…if you’re so pumped up, then why is it that most of the stuff in your cart is made in China or Malaysia? All those clothes, and even that bicycle (which was in a large box) are all made in another country. You can’t just buy a big flag and call yourself patriotic. NO GO.”
GUY: “Well aren’t you proud to be American?”
DR. MARC: “I don’t claim to be patriotic. To ME, being patriotic means living on a level that I have not yet attained. But you see – I’m not purchasing a flag and claiming to support and love my country to total strangers in line at Costco. When you purchase ANY product in which the profit ends up anywhere but the USA, you are undermining our country. In fact, any product that is not entirely produced and/or assembled in the USA, makes our country weak. And that’s EXACTLY what you’re doing.”
GUY: “You’re unrealistic dude!”
DR. MARC: “No ‘dude’ – I’m not the one waiving a flag and preaching. I do the best I can to buy WHAT I can that is entirely American. Sadly, it becomes more and more difficult each day. Hey – what kind of car does your wife drive?”
GUY: “A Toyota Sienna.”
DR. MARC: “Hmm. Why not purchase a Ford Explorer or another American vehicle? Was it an absolute MUST that you had to have a Toyota mini-van?
GUY: “Come on man!”
DR. MARC: “You see pal, if some guy drives around in his Mercedes shouting about supporting our country, I feel compelled to spit in his face. He is NOT patriotic!”
GUY: “Yeah – but what about the dealerships, the sales guys, and the mechanics. It provides them with jobs.”
DR. MARC: “Good try, but that’s pure crap. It’s all about profit. Who is making the profit? If the profit is not ending up in this country, then all you’re doing is undermining your own future, and the future of the troops who you claim to support. If you’re going to support the USA, you’re either all-in or you are all-out. There is no half-way. You don’t get to dial in your level of patriotism. If you REALLY care about your country, then do whatever it takes to purchase products made ONLY in the USA – even if that means sacrificing something. Otherwise, SHUT UP! If every American purchased an American made vehicle. then the mechanics and sales folks who you claim to be so concerned about, would have a job with Ford.”
“You can waive that flag all day long, but you’ll be doing so KNOWING that you’re nothing but a con-artist. I would NEVER get up on a pulpit and scream about being patriotic. I just can’t do it and sleep at night – because I know that my television and half the crap in my home contains something that was partially or entirely manufactured in another country. You’ve got French wine in your cart. Why not get rid of that and purchase wine that was grown in California? I understand that not everything is perfect in how the grapes are picked (immigration issues and all), but at least the last dollar ends up in the pocket of an American…most of the time.”
GUY: “Wow dude. Someone NEEDS a vacation.”
DR. MARC: “No ‘dude’ – I don’t need a vacation – but that DOES sound good. I just have a problem with folks who preach patriotism, religion, and political views – when in most cases, they are hypocrites. Have fun with your flag. Next time you might want to THINK before you preach. Buying a flag doesn’t support the troops. If you REALLY want to support the troops, then help strengthen the country that they’ll be coming home to. Stop thinking about yourself, and start ASKING yourself what you can I to support the companies that are still here in the USA!”
Believe me when I tell you that I wasn’t looking for a discussion or an argument. I simply have ZERO TOLERANCE for anything that is unreasonable.
The REAL POINT of this blog post is less about patriotism and more about how one conducts his or her life. I do not operate my life based on ANY religion or any set of rules that are seemingly redefined by politicians, religious leaders, and of course, Hollywood celebrities (most of whom claim intelligence as a result of their good fortune playing pretend in a movie or television show). My RIGHT and WRONG are based on (1) Reason, and (2) My desire to extract the most I can with my life.
I don’t care how YOU live your life. I don’t care if you’re gay or straight, republican or democrat, wealthy vs. less-wealthy, or intelligent vs. less-intelligent. HOWEVER, when you start preaching to someone who is truly rooted in reason, WATCH OUT – because I WILL bring you down.
Have A GREAT Day!
…Dr. Marc