# Why are Republicans generally more patriotic than Democrats? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 19, 2017, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627 "2017-07-19T05:03:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/61 "2017-07-19T14:43:37Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Because they’re _also_ generally not hypocrites lacking in any self awareness or sense of irony? Ahhhh, so your theory is that they’re the true patriots, but they’re also too humble to admit it to a pollster? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/62 "2017-07-19T14:44:41Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I agree, it’s an interesting phenomenon, and one I don’t think I have a good explanation for. I’m not sure what caused Republicans’ self-identified patriotism to swell between 2005 and 2010. Someone earlier hinted at the Tea Party movement, but I’m not sure I understand how that would affect their answers so dramatically. I think it’s very possible that this kind of thing is linked to the election of Obama, and the conspiracy theories that were (and still are) very popular with Republicans about his birth and his associations. It’d be interesting to see if belief in birtherism correlates to the “extreme patriot” self-identification. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/63 "2017-07-19T14:51:13Z")
> [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](#): > > I think I am more patriotic than most Republicans I know. They fly the flag in front of their house, but I have read the constitution, the declaration, the federalist papers, and other background material many times. I have taken many college level courses over the years on constitutional law and history. I have also read many supreme court decisions and oratories from through the centuries and I believe I have a much better idea of what the US was, is, and what it was intended to be. But I am sure Okra would believe he is more patriotic than me if he met me. I’d certainly grant that if one has read and studied as much as you have about the founding and history of the country, you’d almost certainly be among the elite, at least as far as knowledge of those things are concerned. I’m not sure if simply having all that knowledge translates directly to being “patriotic”, but part of this discussion is exploring differing opinions on the definition of “patriotic”, so yours is certainly welcome into the fray. I am curious: do you think that, for example, newly-sworn immigrant citizens are less patriotic than you because most of them have only a fraction of the knowledge you do on the subject? ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/64 "2017-07-19T14:54:50Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Ahhhh, so your theory is that they’re the true patriots, but they’re also too humble to admit it to a pollster? :rolleyes: My theory is the people that identify as “true patriots” are largely comprised of drunk fat impotent hillbillies who equate patriotism with carrying AK47’s into Applebees while plotting the overthrow of the evil overreaching federal government. And I’m still waiting for someone to explain how hating the federal government equates to love of country. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/65 "2017-07-19T14:55:40Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > The question asked is akin to looking at a poll of what men and women think about their weight, seeing that more women than men consider themselves overweight, and then asking “Why are women generally fatter than men?” :rolleyes: Man, I gotta say that we see a lot of bad apologies on this MB, but that’s one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Couldn’t have said it better myself!! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/66 "2017-07-19T15:01:12Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Wasn’t part of the [Lois Lerner IRS scandal](https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2016/06/24/irs-targeting-scandal-citizens-united-lois-lerner-and-the-20m-tax-saga-that-wont-go-away/) that she was picking out any organization with “Patriot” in the name and giving them the run-around? Apparently she has much the same definition. > > Regards, > Shodan The “giving them the run-around” assertion aside, it’s more likely that she noted that groups with specific political advocacy agendas were more likely to include the word “Patriot” in their name. That’s neither a judgment on, nor a signifier of, their actual level of patriotism. > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Ahhhh, so your theory is that they’re the true patriots, but they’re also too humble to admit it to a pollster? :rolleyes: That’s certainly one way to interpret what **Mr. Dibble** said. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/67 "2017-07-19T15:01:28Z")
This part of your post … > [@msmith537](#): > > The article also says "Republicans’ relatively higher identification with the “extremely patriotic” label is particularly intriguing when one considers that \*\*Democrats are currently far more likely than Republicans to say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the country \*\*(41% vs. 7%, respectively). … seems to be at odds with this part of your post … > [@msmith537](#): > > Democrats and Liberals tend to consist of more marginalized groups whose experience with “America” might not have historically been as positive. To Blacks, gays and other groups, their version of America is getting shot or beaten for being different. They also tend to look towards how to make America “better”, rather than celebrate the status quo or some idealized image of past America. Why were so many more of these marginalized groups, whose “version of America is getting shot or beat for being different” telling Gallup they are satisfied with the way things were going in the country? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/68 "2017-07-19T15:08:49Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > It was a poll. The pollster asks a question and allows for only a limited number of responses. The person polled is given no opportunity to provide a clarifying response or to demand a definition of the word of to pointing out the errors in the phrasing of the question. Yes, but they can choose to not offer a response if they find the question confusing or are unsure of the definition or feel that the question is erroneous. Only 1% did so, which suggests to me that most of them understood the question just fine. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/69 "2017-07-19T15:10:47Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > My theory is the people that identify as “true patriots” are largely comprised of drunk fat impotent hillbillies who equate patriotism with carrying AK47’s into Applebees while plotting the overthrow of the evil overreaching federal government. Is this theory based on any sort of data or scientific evidence, or is it just your prejudices and biases speaking? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/70 "2017-07-19T15:14:35Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Yes, but they can choose to not offer a response if they find the question confusing or are unsure of the definition or feel that the question is erroneous. Only 1% did so, which suggests to me that most of them understood the question just fine. Right, but it’s how the person interprets what, exactly, extremely patriotic actually means verse very patriotic verse somewhat patriotic and whether they have a positive or negative connotation. For me (as someone who isn’t either Republican or Democrat), I’d say that ‘extremely patriotic’ actually has a negative connotation, and I’d consider myself somewhere between ‘very patriotic’ and ‘somewhat patriotic’ while considering myself pro-American…IOW, all are basically saying that the person is patriotic (though even that means different things to different people), but each side interprets the first part differently wrt whether it has a positive or negative connotation to them. If you look at those 3 categories in the poll it’s clear that there isn’t a lot of differences between Republicans and Democrats, it’s just a matter of how they are interpreting the question, and since, as Tom says, there are only a limited number of responses and no way to clarify, it’s going to be on how they made the response fit the limited criteria. As I said, the only really meaningful response that even weakly supports the OPs proposition is the last one, as that’s the only real difference between the political parties. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/71 "2017-07-19T15:14:43Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Why were so many more of these marginalized groups, whose “version of America is getting shot or beat for being different” telling Gallup they are satisfied with the way things were going in the country? You are conflating being satisfied with the way things are with being satisfied with the way things are going. I can say that I am not entirely happy with how things currently are, but that the trendlines are good and that we are making progress in the right direction. Those are not conflicting sentiments. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/72 "2017-07-19T15:22:28Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Waving a flag is being a sports fan. Do you feel that definition is applicable, for example, to [the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI_DBLYoZjc)? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/73 "2017-07-19T15:27:21Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Do you feel that definition is applicable, for example, to [the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI_DBLYoZjc)? I think you missed the point. Anyway, I really think it’s just that the Right has turned the concept of patriotism into a dirty word. The Left recoils from the ugliness, while the Right embraces it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/74 "2017-07-19T15:28:14Z")
Let’s take another look at that poll. 52% of Republicans label themselves “Extremely Patriotic”, as opposed to 20% of Democrats, whereas 39% of Republics see themselves as “Very Patriotic”, as opposed to 42% of Democrats. Is it being proposed that “Extreme Patriotism” is somehow better than merely being “Very Patriotic”? Personally, I’m not seeing it as a big plus that More Republicans see themselves as “extremists” than just “very patriotic”. Do you? ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/75 "2017-07-19T15:29:35Z")
Because they focus on a few, hand-picked issues instead of seeing the bigger picture. They’re no more patriotic than the Dems. They just have a need to flaunt it. To put it another way, ‘Pubs think it soooooo important to be patriotic. Dems realize there are more pressing issues. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/76 "2017-07-19T15:29:51Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Is this theory based on any sort of data or scientific evidence, or is it just your prejudices and biases speaking? My viewpoint is formed by stuff like this. [http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2017/06/18/patriots-have-a-short-time-to-act-because-evil-never-takes-a-day-off-genocide-awaits/](http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2017/06/18/patriots-have-a-short-time-to-act-because-evil-never-takes-a-day-off-genocide-awaits/) > **[Once Again, Gun Control Spurs the ‘Patriots’](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2013/once-again-gun-control-spurs-%E2%80%98patriots%E2%80%99)** > > It’s déjà vu all over again. [https://thinkprogress.org/white-militiamen-openly-carrying-large-guns-descend-on-ferguson-5b8507c27424](https://thinkprogress.org/white-militiamen-openly-carrying-large-guns-descend-on-ferguson-5b8507c27424) > **[Armed 'patriot' accidentally shoots self in leg at Gettysburg battlefield](https://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/07/patriot_shot_in_leg_gettysburg.html)** > > Benjamin Hornberger, 23, accidentally triggered the revolver, which was inside a leg holster, with his flagpole. The wound could have been life-threatening, police said. > **[Disarming Republican Anarchists](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/republicans-gun-control_b_2836368)** > > Multiple excuses have been offered for the difficulty of enacting gun control legislation, but the most obvious problem has not been mentioned: the U.S. contains millions of Republican anarchists. And I’m still waiting to hear how "advocating for the overthrow of the federal government = love of country. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/77 "2017-07-19T15:33:25Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Let’s take another look at that poll. > 52% of Republicans label themselves “Extremely Patriotic”, as opposed to 20% of Democrats, whereas 39% of Republics see themselves as “Very Patriotic”, as opposed to 42% of Democrats. > Is it being proposed that “Extreme Patriotism” is somehow better than merely being “Very Patriotic”? Personally, I’m not seeing it as a big plus that More Republicans see themselves as “extremists” than just “very patriotic”. > Do you? I’m not sure I’d call it “better”, but I certainly would call it “more”. As I noted in the other thread, pollsters often use some variation of this “extremely” / “very” / “somewhat” formulation in questions to measure (and I’ll probably mess up explaining this part) the degree of the respondent’s feelings. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/78 "2017-07-19T15:38:41Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I’d certainly grant that if one has read and studied as much as you have about the founding and history of the country, you’d almost certainly be among the elite, at least as far as knowledge of those things are concerned. I’m not sure if simply having all that knowledge translates directly to being “patriotic”, but part of this discussion is exploring differing opinions on the definition of “patriotic”, so yours is certainly welcome into the fray. > > I am curious: do you think that, for example, newly-sworn immigrant citizens are less patriotic than you because most of them have only a fraction of the knowledge you do on the subject? As newly sworn immigrants have read, studied, and taken tests on all that material, they probably would have a pretty high level of “patriotism” based on that metric. Certainly higher than most natural born citizens. > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Yes, but they can choose to not offer a response if they find the question confusing or are unsure of the definition or feel that the question is erroneous. Only 1% did so, which suggests to me that most of them understood the question just fine. They understood the question, but that does not mean that they understood the question the same way. Put it this way, the Bundys, responsible for armed standoffs against the federal govt, would probably self identify as extremely patriotic, based on feelings that they should fight against the federal govt’s interference in their lives, while someone who is working to get vets care that the federal govt had been neglecting for years may consider themselves to be somewhat patriotic, or even not patriotic at all, based on the feelings they have as to how the govt is fulfilling its obligations to those it put in harms way. Patriotism is ill defined, and is even more so in this context of a question. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/79 "2017-07-19T15:39:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Let’s take another look at that poll. > 52% of Republicans label themselves “Extremely Patriotic”, as opposed to 20% of Democrats, whereas 39% of Republics see themselves as “Very Patriotic”, as opposed to 42% of Democrats. > Is it being proposed that “Extreme Patriotism” is somehow better than merely being “Very Patriotic”? Personally, I’m not seeing it as a big plus that More Republicans see themselves as “extremists” than just “very patriotic”. > Do you? Here’s a good article on the subject. > **[Calling Yourself a Patriot Doesn't Make It So](https://goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/brand-calling-yourself-a-patriot-doesnt-make-it-so/)** > > Edwin Lyngar thinks that certain "patriots" protest a little too much. Here’s a quote: “Imagine you observe a middle-aged guy standing on a rooftop screaming, “I’m straight! I’m straight! I am very heterosexual indeed!” at the top of his lungs. What would you think? Would you say to yourself, “Why, there goes a straight young man! Boy, that guy must really love chicks!” I don’t think so. You would probably ask yourself who the hell this guy is trying to convince. The answer is always: himself.” ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627/80 "2017-07-19T15:39:09Z")
I have framed copies of the Constitution, Declaration, and Bill of Rights on my wall. Does that rank me above or below my outside flag-waving neighbor? How about if the visual presentation is stunning - like you walk in my house, see the documents, and become aware that this is serious stuff in our lives… how does that compare to a man exercising his 1st Amendment rights at a Klan rally? Or the March For Women? Is my volunteer work for the Mayoral campaign more or less patriotic than my work for the Food Bank? I’m interested in seeing the _objective_ scoring card on this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627.md?page=5)