What is a Real Patriot?

It seems today, that the word and term Patriot gets thrown around like it is a curse word meant to create a public response.

I have heard many Men and Woman say that they are a Patriot, especially since September of 2001; if anyone can remember back that far in our generally left wing moderated media.

It is almost heartbreaking and sad to see, that this word that means so much to me personally and many other Americans as well today, is used with such disparaging taste in the course of our Human events.

So what is a Patriot?

Merriam-Webster defines it as; 'one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests'

Princeton WordNet defines it as; '(n) patriot, nationalist (one who loves and defends his or her country)'

The etymology of Patriot is; 'Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriōtēs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patēr father
Date: 1605

By definition it is one who defends and loves His/Her Country, by etymology it is in my understanding the Fathers/Strength of defense; since in ages past the Father of a family was it's staunch supporter, its protector, its gatherer.

Though much has changed since those days in our current Nuclear Family structures supported by those who discredit family values and some even moral values.

So understanding what a Patriot truly is may be hard for some; the Patriot, a Patriot at least in the American sense which I have to thank the French for, (since they popularized the term), is someone who takes a stand no matter how unpopular, in an effort to make change in support of ideals that are an attempt to better the status quo of those taking such a stance. Who is also ready and willing to defend those same ideals in the face of present and future tyranny at any cost.

So what is a Patriot? As I define it above that is what it means to me, as well I hope it means that to many others. Though today all I seem to see and hear are people, especially those in high authority who like to wear the mask of Patriotism but are completely unwilling to do its duty.

Would I like to be called a Patriot? Am I a Patriot?

I would like to believe that my actions and words show my dedication and staunch support to the compact known as the United States Constitution, my birth Country of the United States of America, as well as the Fore Fathers and all the 1st Americans who shed blood, sweat and tears to bring about the Democratic-Republic that I love so dear.

Would I label myself as a Patriot? Probably not; would I like to be called one, definitely, yet I do believe the things I do are Patriotic and in light of that I am a supporter of Patriotic endeavors in my Society in which I live.

Today there are very few true Patriots, ones defending the American Dream, the American way, even the American Constitution which I am sad to say has been more like bathroom tissue paper to our current form of Government, than a highly respected piece of paper that defines the instrumentation of what and who we are and what our responsibilities and duties are.

There are some exceptions and one of those is the State of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire is one of those States that deserves the Medal of Freedom, for its undying and staunchest support of the U.S. Constitution and the Founding Principals of this Country as a whole. Maybe that's not correct, maybe it would be better for New Hampshire as a whole state to receive the DAR Ellen Hardin Walworth Medal for Patriotism, I put my vote in now!

New Hampsire is apart of the Free State Project, which "is an agreement among 20,000 pro-liberty activists to move to New Hampshire, where they will exert the fullest practical effort toward the creation of a society in which the maximum role of government is the protection of life, liberty, and property. The success of the Project would likely entail reductions in taxation and regulation, reforms at all levels of government, to expand individual rights and free markets, and a restoration of constitutional federalism, demonstrating the benefits of liberty to the rest of the nation and the world." [freestateproject.org]

Yet even more exciting is 'The New Hampshire Resolution', as introduced this year as HCR 6, (House Concurrent Resolution 6), which is a Resolution affirming States' Rights based on Jeffersonian Principles.

This declares, "that the people of this State have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent State; and do, and forever hereafter shall, exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction, and right, pertaining thereto, which is not, or may not hereafter be, by them expressly delegated to the United States of America in congress assembled;", and;

"That any Act by the Congress of the United States, Executive Order of the President of the United States of America or Judicial Order by the Judicatories of the United States of America which assumes a power not delegated to the government of United States of America by the Constitution for the United States of America and which serves to diminish the liberty of the any of the several States or their citizens shall constitute a nullification of the Constitution for the United States of America by the government of the United States of America. Acts which would cause such a nullification include, but are not limited to:

I. Establishing martial law or a state of emergency within one of the States comprising the United States of America without the consent of the legislature of that State.

II. Requiring involuntary servitude, or governmental service other than a draft during a declared war, or pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.

III. Requiring involuntary servitude or governmental service of persons under the age of 18 other than pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.

IV. Surrendering any power delegated or not delegated to any corporation or foreign government.

V. Any act regarding religion; further limitations on freedom of political speech; or further limitations on freedom of the press.

VI. Further infringements on the right to keep and bear arms including prohibitions of type or quantity of arms or ammunition;" [newhampshireresolution.com]

Hard words to swallow? Yes! Words that resound with the sound of true American Patriotism. Yes! Treasonous? No! For it is a right allotted for by the United States Constitution to protect our Democratic-Republic.

And if said Democratic-Republic is no longer following the founding rules, then it is the Right of the Citizen, each and everyone to stand up and make change where necessary.

So what is a Real Patriot? Go look at every Citizen of the State of New Hampshire. They are Citizens our Founding Fore Fathers would be proud of. For upholding the Principal Foundations of our Country!

Thank you New Hampshire, maybe this wild fire, this Patriotism will spread to the rest of the States in our Blessed Union and cause for a renewal and rebirth of the Founding Principles of our Nation.

Just maybe we will be able to return to our beginning and be Patriots one and all!

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

Sources:
SeacoastNH
DAR
Merriam-Websters Dictionary
Princeton WordNet Web
New Hampshire State Website
Medal of Freedom
Free State Project
New Hampshire Resolution