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

Too many Americans tend to scream their patriotism to anyone who'll listen (and many who won't) without having the first clue as to what the principles and values this country truly embodies. They wrap themselves in the flag as if it's a magical cloak, they wield the Constitution as a membership document of superiority and personal allowances rather than a document of equality for all, they throw empty, misunderstood terms in the direction of the very fellow citizens they share "the greatest nation on earth" with and they refuse to address its ills like people ignore their vehicle engines making a strange sound.

Blind patriotism is dangerous because without a compass to guide it it eventually consumes itself and the bearer. Patriotism is respecting and having pride in one's country. Loving something means fostering it, cultivating it, making it better with every action. We're not doing that these days and in the absence of true care and respect, we stand to lose the very things we love about this country.