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This commentary is verifiably an antithesis to the status quo. In fact, what you are about to read may be found shocking, but its intent is not to offend. Having said that, stars and stripes lectors, please beware, proceed with caution, and avoid denying the truth.

We have all seen it on t-shirts, ball caps, bumper stickers and billboards, while not lending a deaf ear to the politicians, performers, athletes or average Joes and Janes who so voluntarily spew it forth as a patriotic prerequisite. The topic at hand is the United States' national motto, "Proud to be an American", which wreaks havoc on the conscience of people who happen to be even remotely aware of their nation's history, and the remainder of the world around them. It is a slogan that lingers with the offensively putrid stench of exceptional elitism which conveys the out-of-touch message that U.S. citizens and their nation are somehow superior to the foreign variety of human being who happens to call another country home.

Whew, what a relief to unload that pent up hostility, it was a tad overdue in all sincerity. But now, perhaps the reader would appreciate a rational basis for this sentiment before resorting to firearms or hostile, under-the-breath utterances? After all, that does read like an imposing attack on patriotism and everything that is truly "American". Despite appearances, though, the accusation is meant to serve as reminder, not baseless ridicule.

For starters, we have to fess up to the fact that as a predominantly Christian nation, laying claim to one of the seven cardinal sins is, at a minimum, quite hypocritical if only from a religious perspective. Instead of being proud, why not just be thankful and exude humbleness for being part of a country which is fortunate to have embraced so many liberties? Isn't that the message of the Good Book on which so many base their faith anyway? In contrast, however, overzealous patrons of nationalism adhere to their motto and thus succeed in dividing their nation, and themselves, from global humanity.

It is possible, and even probable, that the excess of pride over appreciation is part of the catalyst that is currently bringing the bulk of the nation to its financial breaking point in the face of global condemnation. This though, is quite comprehensible since arrogance tends to make one so lofty that reality becomes distorted at those high attitudinal elevations, in case you have never witnessed it.

Consequentially, like a well-sequenced tragic comedy

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