Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

Virginia Bleeds Red, White and Blue

—

by

James A. Bacon
in

Source: WalletHub

You’ve got to take these WalletHub listicles with a grain of salt, but the recent ranking of 2015’s most and least patriotic states was just too good to pass up for the 4th of July. Yes, friends, if WalletHub is to be believed, Virginia is the most patriotic of the 50 states!

WalletHub bases its ranking not on what people say they feel but on what they do. Half the patriotism rating consists of “military engagement”: what percentage of residents enlist in the military, consists of veterans and is comprised of active-duty personnel?

The other half consists of “civic engagement”: What percentage votes, volunteers, joins the Peace Corps? And what is the frequency of Google searches for American flags?

fireworksRed states are somewhat more patriotic than the blue states, according to WalletHub. That’s no surprise considering that progressives and liberals are more likely to pride themselves as being cosmopolitan citizens of the world and are less likely to believe “my country, right or wrong.”

The methodology is pretty arbitrary. There are many ways for people to demonstrate their patriotism not included in this methodology. Regardless, as one who holds patriotism to be a great virtue, I’m pleased to see that Virginia tops the list.

— JAB

 

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Comments

  1. TooManyTaxes Avatar
    TooManyTaxes

    This is plain foolishness from wallethub. It’s similar to the online “tests” that predict how much longer a person will live.

  2. jwgilley Avatar
    jwgilley

    I have always thought of Virginia as a pretty patriotic state. Might come from our history and the founding of the United States of America which Virginians had a lot of involvement in and provided leadership too. And with Virginia being so US military oriented plays a very key role too. As% of our population being directly or indirectly associated with national defense we are most likely number one in that too.

  3. LarrytheG Avatar
    LarrytheG

    sitting here watching Sons of Liberty… re-runs.. powerful story causes some reflection..

    We’re at a period in the evolution of our country – where more than a few of us – don’t like where we are.. right now.

    and yes.. let’s please scratch wallet hub off he list of down-to-earth folks…

  4. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    Ole Virginny knows which side of the toast is buttered.

  5. Malcolm Baldwin Avatar
    Malcolm Baldwin

    Nothing wrong with this result, but one should ponder Dr. Samuel Johnson’s observation back in 1775 that “patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”.

  6. LifeOnTheFallLine Avatar
    LifeOnTheFallLine

    U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

    TMT, Peter and Malcolm can all beat feet to England if they can’t get with the spirit this weekend!

    1. DonR Avatar
      DonR

      I once attended a playoff game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Washington Capitals. The Caps won in overtime. The assembled crowd began the obligatory chant of U-S-A, U-S-A …

      It was only after the game that I realized that not a single player on the Capitals was an American.

  7. Malcolm Baldwin Avatar
    Malcolm Baldwin

    At the great risk of sounding smug, my ancestors didn’t come over on the Mayflower, fight in the Revolutionary War (yes, Gen. Green), or the Civil War, not out of jingoism but of somewhat more profound regard for liberty and the promise, still evolving, of America. I think that was Dr. Johnson’s point, although of course, unlike his friend Edmund Burke, he didn’t support the American cause in the Revolution.

  8. DonR Avatar
    DonR

    A long drive to North Carolina and back on Sunday allowed me to see some interesting things.

    Going down the main highway on the Eastern Shore peninsula from Maryland to Virginia you cross from Pokimoke, MD t0 Accomack, VA. On the border is a discount cigarette emporium with a large permanent sign stating that, “The South Starts Here” in the foreground of a large Confederate flag. Interesting. Unfortunately for Virginia’s two Eastern Shore counties (Accomack and Northampton) the US Civil Was was a rather boring affair. The Union realized the strategic importance of Virginia’s Eastern Shore and invaded at the start of the war. The North occupied the entire region throughout the war. Nary a shot was fired in anger by the first line of Southern defiance in eastern Virginia.

    Crossing into North Carolina (just south of Cheasapeake) I saw a “Welcome to North Carolina” sign with “Nation’s Most Military Friendly State”. While I have no argument with the sentiment I have to downgrade the Tar Hell State for their lack of poetic sense. I always liked, “If God’s not a Tar Heel then why is the sky Carolina blue?”. Of course, Virginia’s “Radar Detectors Illegal” left something to be desired as well.

    1. LifeOnTheFallLine Avatar
      LifeOnTheFallLine

      “Of course, Virginia’s ‘Radar Detectors Illegal’ left something to be desired as well.”

      This legitimately made me laugh out loud.

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