Paul, my friend, I think they would be proud that more than 145,000,000 Americans are still patriots, albeit somewhat less committed than in "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country", but not everyone in their young America was as committed as others. Thirty two percent of the people of the original settlers wanted to remain subjects of England, and another 33% wanted to break away from the English rule to form their own country, the remaining majority of folks didn't care enough to make their voice heard on the subject!! Not much has changed since the original 4th of July and our independence was won.. sadly.
Because of what they started, we are the envy of the entire world. More people on the earth are free, than any other time in the history of mankind, because of our bravery, courage and dominant presence.
I'll gladly pay my taxes, even if I emphatically disagree with my government, because I can still stand up and fight my own government when I damn well feel like it! The Constitution that the founding Fathers carved out of this rugged land, didn't give me the right to win everything I wanted, any more than the will of the majority of my representatives.
I believe there are people that would like to distort the meaning of our mission statement of the Declaration of Independence, but not enough that I and like-minded people can't fight or change.
We may have strayed a bit off course, but I love this Country more than any other place on earth and would fight for it again, at the drop of a hat, as I know you would. We are still the majority, THANK GOD.
Amen, Carlo!