American patriots stand on

value, recycling garbage

An American flag in front of homes and businesses is a familiar vision. It states the displayer loves, supports and defends America and its interests.

I am not sure everyone gets it though. Is it really North Korea we should be fearful of or the China factor? We are buying China's products and they are using our dollars to buy U.S. Treasury notes and funding our debt.

We cannot count on the government to fix this serious danger. The power is with the people … it is in buying power. Remember JFK's famous quote: " Think not what your country can do for you, think what you can do for your country."

Anytime there is love involved, there is usually some kind of sacrifice. To me a patriot would spend more to buy U.S. made and shop at malls and small stores instead of so much at Wal-Mart. It is in America's interest that good paying jobs exist here and there are no corporate monopolies.

It's patriotic to recycle garbage too. How many of us conscientiously (you have to wash out some things) recycle bags, newspapers, magazines, cans, plastic and glass (Pacific Steel by Sandpoint's Bonner Mall takes glass), or for convenience or laziness put a good item in the dump rather than in a thrift store?

Dump sites are rare land parcels, a commodity that should be highly preserved, not taken for granted. Simply being conscious not to use materials that won't break down, like Styrofoam, helps or not putting garbage in a plastic bag before you dump it.

Value is what patriots stand on. To me patriotism means being responsible to take caring action and rise up to the occasion to defend America's quality of life, not just for personal interests, but for the larger picture.

R. STEVENS

Bonners Ferry