Who is a patriot?

Obviously, everyone who serves in the military and their extended families are patriots.

Those who devote their lives to public service are patriots.

Flag-wavers and red/white/blue wearers certainly love their country. So do the fireworks crowd.

But, true patriotism is more than T-shirt deep and more resonant than a piccolo Pete.

No, real patriotism includes those who pay their taxes in full and on time.

This last category excludes the GOP candidate for president, Mitt Romney.

The Mitt-wit cares so little about this country that he stashes his cash around the world in order to avoid paying his fair share in taxes.

Even Newt Gingrich, a man who is far more patriot-show-than-tell, had this to say about Mitt in the GOP primary, “I don’t know of any American president who has had a Swiss bank account.” 


The Mitt-wit would say that this shows how he is innovative and an entrepreneur.


But, if Mitt believes that Switzerland and the Cayman Islands are better places for his American money, why doesn't he just move to either of those places.


No, Mitt instead wants to be president of the U.S.A. so that the "gilded age" of income inequality he helped usher in at Bain Capital can extend to his great-great-great-grandchildren.


But, not to you or me.


Nor, to the 99 percent of Americans.


But Mitt, who evaded service in Vietnam, wears the American colors well. 


Therefore, he must be a patriot.