Robert Reich: ‘It’s Time to Stop Letting Republicans Claim the Mantle of Patriotism’

EXCERPT:

REICH: “Republicans are even shunning democracy itself, denying election results, passing laws that make it harder to vote, and kicking out legitimately elected lawmakers they disagree with. It’s time to stop letting Republicans claim the mantle of patriotism without actually being patriots. Patriotism means loving freedom, the freedom to make your own healthcare choices, the freedom to choose who and how you love, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to unionize. Patriotism also means wanting Americans to be free from the fear of gun violence and free from crushing student debt. Above all, patriotism involves strengthening our democracy. True patriots don’t put loyalty to their political party above their love of America. True patriots don’t support an attempted coup. Now is the time for the rest of us to reclaim patriotism and affirm it’s true meaning.”