What's with this whole "blind patriotism" thing?

Why do so many people think it's a necessity to love the country one lives in? Whether it's actually good or not, part of freedom is being free to dislike something and express that dislike. Americans in particular lose their shit when someone dares to say America isn't a perfect utopia. I mean, I live there. The part I live in is nice enough, but we've got some serious flaws. It's fine to love your country, just don't shit on others for not feeling the same way.

*loses all my SW friends for being political*

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HannibalAteMeOut · 22-25, F

Exactly! I know people who happen to love their country of origin, people who love another country more than their own, people who criticize the state (and know the difference between the state and the nation). And also I know people like me who couldn't care less about nations and just love places based on their experiences there. No, I don't feel like crying every time I hear the national anthem, I don't feel awe in front of my country's flag, but you know what? I help my country's people, I care about my country's problems and I don't pollute my city's environment etc. I show my love with actions. And I'm wondering how many of these "patriots" really love their country, just because they love repeating the phrase "homeland, religion, family".