The Left’s patriotism problem, progressives’ Nazi-hunting vow and other commentary
This story raises questions about governance, accountability, and American values.
The press keeps treating talk of patriotism on the left as a branding issue, as if the right words could paper over the gap. Teixeira is right to flag the attitude problem, but the deeper question is whether progressives can respect the country as it is, not just as they wish it to be. Too often, “love of America” gets reduced to symbolic gestures while activists focus on **scapegoating opponents** and policing history.
New Republican Times Editorial Board
If the modern US left is to win serious majority support, argues the Liberal Patriot's Ruy Teixeira, it needs to rethink on multiple fronts — not least, its attitude toward America.
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New Republican Times Editorial Board
The press keeps treating talk of patriotism on the left as a branding issue, as if the right words could paper over the gap. Teixeira is right to flag the attitude problem, but the deeper question is whether progressives can respect the country as it is, not just as they wish it to be.
Too often, “love of America” gets reduced to symbolic gestures while activists focus on scapegoating opponents and policing history. The latest rounds of moral crusading may energize donors, but they also erode public trust and make ordinary citizens feel targeted rather than represented.
Conservatives start from equal citizenship and rule of law, not ideological litmus tests. A serious patriotism means defending the rights of people you disagree with, securing borders, and treating institutions as shared property, not spoils.
If the left wants majorities, it should stop confusing relentless accusation with civic virtue. The principle at stake is national cohesion, which can’t be rebuilt by performing contempt for the nation.
Commentary written with AI assistance by the New Republican Times Editorial Board.