Alright, here we go.

Let’s talk about this whole “patriotism” thing. Everyone loves to call themselves a patriot, waving the flag like they’re on the front lines of freedom. But let’s cut the shit: patriotism is just another marketing tool, a feel-good hashtag, and a cheap excuse to ignore how badly this country’s system treats the people who make it what it is.

This isn’t about one political candidate or party. It’s a broader observation about how the notion of “patriotism” is being hijacked and used as a smokescreen for some pretty disgusting hypocrisies.

Veterans: Our “Heroes” Who Are Left to Rot

I was born a military brat, so I got a front-row seat to how this country treats the people who literally put their lives on the line. The military-industrial complex gave me a rad life as a kid, and young adult. I go to travel the world, and experience different cultures. And while I had the privilege of seeing it all, I also saw something darker: how our veterans, those same “heroes” we love to parade around on national holidays, are treated like afterthoughts once their service is over.

We throw around words like “honor,” “sacrifice,” and “freedom” like they’re just cute slogans to slap on a t-shirt that your arch nemesis in high school now sells on imported, crappy t-shirts she design with her cricut. But when it comes to real action, we treat the people who fought for this country like second-class citizens. Many veterans come home, physically and mentally broken, and instead of setting them up for success, they’re pushed aside and ignored. God forbid we actually provide the healthcare, the mental health resources, and the support they need. Why? Because it’s more profitable to leave them to fall through the cracks. The system doesn’t care about them after they retire, especially when there’s no financial incentive to do so.

Made in America? Yeah, Right. Try Made in China

Now let’s talk about that “Made in America” label, shall we? This is another one of those patriotic slogans that’s more about appearances than substance. Everyone loves to scream about supporting American-made products. But nearly everything you touch, from your favorite designer shoes to your smartphone, is made overseas. And guess what? It’s made in places like China, where labor is dirt cheap, and regulations are basically nonexistent.

When we slap a flag on a product and market it as “Made in America,” it’s a straight-up con. There’s no magic in that “Made in USA” stamp if the companies are outsourcing production to countries that pay workers pennies and don’t give a damn about the environment. If we were serious about “buying American,” we’d be looking at factory jobs coming back home, and using products sourced here.

Customer Service? More Like Customer Disservice

Here’s where the hypocrisy really kicks in. Let’s talk customer service. How many times have you called a major company for help, only to get passed around between call centers in other countries where employees can barely speak English, let alone understand your problem? But hey, “We’re putting Americans first,” right? Except, no, we’re outsourcing customer service to countries where workers are underpaid and overworked. You’d think with all this flag-waving and “patriotism,” companies would at least try to give Americans a shot at these jobs, wouldn’t you?

But nope. Instead, these companies opt for cheap labor overseas, even though plenty of Americans: stay-at-home moms, single parents, and people just trying to get by that could handle those jobs in a heartbeat. But again, it’s about making more profit, not actually supporting the American worker.

The Performative Patriotism Problem

Patriotism in this country has become a performative joke. It’s all about posting the right flag emoji, wearing the right t-shirt, and sharing the right meme. But if we really loved America, we’d be holding the system accountable for how it treats the people who truly make it what it is: the soldiers, the workers, the everyday folks.

So before you slap another American flag sticker on your car or wear your “Support Our Troops” shirt, ask yourself: Are you actually supporting anything real, or are you just buying into a system that’s designed to profit off of your sense of national pride while ignoring the people who need help the most?

This isn’t about politics, it’s about a culture that’s obsessed with the appearance of patriotism without doing the hard work to back it up. We’ve been sold a narrative, and we’re buying it hook, line, and sinker.

And until we start putting our money where our mouths are, all this flag-waving and “support” is just a scam.

The Fine Print

If you can’t criticize something, even if you believe in the very thing you’re criticizing, then congratulations, you’re stuck in an echo chamber or a cult of uncritical thinking. Criticism isn’t a sign of disloyalty or hate; it’s a tool for growth and improvement. Just because you love something, whether it’s your country, your values, or your community, doesn’t mean you should blindly accept everything about it. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Valid criticism, when done with intention and a desire for change, sharpens your perspective and pushes you, and the system to be better.

If you can’t take a step back and point out flaws, even in things you believe in, you’re just reinforcing a hollow, stagnant version of whatever it is you’re so attached to. Real love means pushing for progress, not silence.