For too long, Democrats, independents, democratic socialists, and anyone who believes in an inclusive America have surrendered one of the most powerful words in our language: patriotism.
It’s time to take it back.
Somewhere along the way, a political movement convinced millions of Americans that waving the flag, wearing red, white, and blue, and proclaiming love of country belonged exclusively to one side of the political spectrum. It doesn’t. It never did.
I refuse to surrender the American flag to a movement that too often uses it as a prop rather than a promise.
Because when I look at that flag, I don’t see one man. I don’t see one political party. I don’t see one religion or one race or one ideology.
I see the first three words of our Constitution:
We the People.
Not “We the Republicans.”
Not “We the Democrats.”
Not “We the MAGA faithful.”
We the People.
That simple phrase is perhaps the most radical democratic idea ever written. It says that this nation belongs to all of us, not just those who agree with whoever occupies the White House.
Real patriotism isn’t measured by how loudly you chant “USA.”
It’s measured by whether you believe every American deserves the same rights, the same opportunities, and the same dignity.
That is why I reject the idea that progressive values are somehow “un-American.”
Public education? That’s patriotism. An educated citizenry is the backbone of a democracy.
Scientific research? Patriotism. America led the world because we invested in knowledge.
Protecting our national parks? Patriotism. We preserve what previous generations entrusted to us.
Supporting veterans after they return home? Patriotism.
Standing up for workers? Patriotism.
Protecting Social Security and Medicare? Patriotism.
Defending the right to vote? Patriotism.
Welcoming immigrants who believe in the American dream? Patriotism. Unless your family descends from Native Americans, your story began with someone who came here seeking something better.
Standing up for the rule of law—even when it is politically inconvenient? That is patriotism.
Supporting a free press that can challenge those in power? Patriotism.
Defending the Constitution rather than demanding loyalty to a single individual? That may be the highest form of patriotism there is.
By contrast, I struggle to understand how demanding unquestioning loyalty to one political leader can be described as patriotic.
Patriotism isn’t blind obedience.
It isn’t pretending elections only count when your side wins.
It isn’t attacking judges because they rule against you.
It isn’t dismissing the Constitution when it becomes inconvenient.
It isn’t threatening political opponents or journalists.
It certainly isn’t redefining loyalty to America as loyalty to one man.
A republic survives only when its citizens remain loyal to the principles that created it—not to personalities.
This country has never been perfect. It wasn’t perfect in 1776. It wasn’t perfect during the Civil War. It wasn’t perfect during Jim Crow. It wasn’t perfect when women couldn’t vote. It wasn’t perfect when LGBTQ Americans were denied equal rights.
But generation after generation, Americans expanded the promise of “We the People.”
That is the American story.
Not perfection.
Progress.
Not exclusion.
Expansion.
Not fear.
Hope.
As a city councilor, as a business owner, as a coach who has represented this country overseas, I’ve often been asked what makes America special.
It isn’t that we’re flawless.
It’s that we have always aspired to become better than we were yesterday.
That aspiration belongs to Lincoln.
To Roosevelt.
To Eisenhower.
To Kennedy.
To King.
To every soldier who defended our Constitution.
To every teacher who opens a classroom door.
To every volunteer who serves a meal.
To every citizen who votes.
Patriotism isn’t ownership.
It’s stewardship.
So here’s my challenge to everyone who shares progressive values.
Stop apologizing for loving your country.
Fly the flag.
Stand for the anthem if you choose.
Celebrate Independence Day.
Teach your children American history—all of it, the triumphs and the failures—because loving your country enough to tell the truth about it is more patriotic than pretending it has never made mistakes.
Do not let anyone tell you that compassion is weakness.
That inclusion is un-American.
That democracy is optional.
Or that patriotism belongs exclusively to one movement.
It doesn’t.
The American flag belongs to every citizen.
And every time I see it, I want to be reminded of those three extraordinary words that define who we are and who we are still striving to become:
We the People.
That flag should never stand for one man.
It should always stand for all of us.
