Flags and Kings

On this 4th of July week, this writer spent some time thinking about countries and flags and kings. I have just seen my second Fourth go by while living in Sweden. Last year, I was a little more “homesick” and I was waxing philosophically. I hoped my American friends were not just using the holiday as a day off and an excuse for shooting off fireworks. I hoped that they would reflect on the Founders and the sacrifices they made and the amazing thought and projection they had in declaring their independence from English tyranny. This year, I played golf.

This past year’s events prove the need for those kinds of thoughts I had last year. It looks like the faith the Founder’s had in the people will bear out. That the basic belief that Americans have in their way of life will prevail no matter who tries to corrupt that belief. Or how slow the populace is in realizing that fact.

I read Phillip Slater today who says: “The Founding Fathers were so determined to avoid having anything that looked like a king in our land that they overlooked the one useful function kings and queens had--still have today in some countries: they served as a symbol of the nation.” Mr. Slater continues: “It may also account for the obsession we Americans have with our flag--an obsession unmatched around the world. It's the only symbol we have that can be detached from everyday political disputes. Yet because it's not a living symbol any cheap politician can wrap himself in it to make points. And since it's usually the least honest politicians who have to resort to this tactic, the flag itself then becomes tainted as a symbol, and is subject to attack.”

Sweden has a King and a Prime Minister. The King speaks on holidays and the Minister does the grunt work of the day-to-day running of the elected government. Sweden is a democracy that bends over backwards to at least look fair minded to its populace.

Whenever there is a tremor in the Royal Palaces around the world, there is the poll that asks is the Throne really necessary? And, as an American, I am sometimes asked what my thoughts are. From America, whose information is based on the tabloids in print and TV, one sees the Royals as privileged stars living off an expensive dole and getting into scandals of a sexual nature.

Living here in Sweden I have seen the King in a different light. Because of the birthright today’s king is the son of the last king and on and on. (I do not want to slight the many Queens who have ruled today and in the past. But for argument’s sake we’ll roll them under the name “Royals”.) This continuation allows the Royals’ countrymen a direct link to their past. Like the many buildings in this country, some that date back to the Iron Age, Swedes can look upon the Royals giving a traditional message and feel their own forbearers. They know that their grandfathers and their grandfathers’ grandfathers looked upon the Kings and Queens of Sweden. The King doesn’t rule Sweden. He is the manifestation of Sweden. Like the commercial might say, “Royalty…expensive. Good feelings from what they mean? …Priceless!”

That is why things like Amendments against flag burning get so much attention. The flag is the constant in our America. Old buildings? Few. You can visit the holographic replicas we guess they looked like in a theme park. Our best presidents long gone and their words and actions barely remembered by an increasingly ill-educated public. In America, it’s now, baby! The past is just something in the rearview mirror.

But flag burning amendments are frivolous distractions by shallow politicians unable or unwilling to do the right thing. Stir up the country’s emotions by war or fear and pass a meaningless law. Some guy burning our flag on some foreign plaza or college campus here affects our national pride not a whit. Losing in the World Cup has more impact on our international status.

American’s pride should be that they are the longest running republic in history. That though the people of the world might hate American policies abroad, they pretty much like the American. And they realize the greatness in the country in their arrival to America’s shores in droves. Some legally!

America! Forget the flag. Export the Way of Life. Export the Ideals. You’ll never convince me at the point of a gun. Show me how your people prosper and are secure. Feed my children. Help cure epidemics. I don’t need your McDonalds or M-16’s.

I need your true selves