The new patriotism in the age of Obama

Our post-racial candidate gives us the post-American definition of patriotism:

For a young man of mixed race, without firm anchor in any particular community, without even a father's steadying hand, it is this essential American idea - that we are not constrained by the accident of birth but can make of our lives what we will - that has defined my life, just as it has defined the life of so many other Americans.

That is why, for me, patriotism is always more than just loyalty to a place on a map or a certain kind of people. Instead, it is also loyalty to America's ideals - ideals for which anyone can sacrifice, or defend, or give their last full measure of devotion.

Yes, let's forget those silly notions about love of land and people. The new, improved patriotism is about love of abstract ideals.

But what if the country next door comes up with even better ideals? Your country's ideals of justice and equality can be trumped by the promise of justice, equality, and jobs for all. And free health care. In response, your country could match those alluring ideals, only to be out-bid when the competition promises all citizens a free puppy, too.

Wouldn't you want to immigrate there? After all, it's racist to profess loyalty to the land or the people, so why shouldn't we completely ditch the old-fashioned idea of heritage and complete the transition to consumers -- and competitive consumers at that, always looking for the best deal? Patriotism would be just another commodity in the global market, like capital, labor, and raw materials. That way, we eliminate such unfair standards as accident of birth. Sounds fair to me.