Do you love your state or city more than you love your country?

Ooh, good question….

I think I probably do love my county, Cumbria, more than I love my country, England… It is a particularly beautiful part of the country though, and does contain particularly lovely people ;-) (And no, I wasn’t born or brought up in there, but have chosen it as my home.)

I try not to identify with any place, as I’m aware I would be a completely different person if I was born somewhere else so it’s just chance, but I also realize there are places that are better for me personally within the country.

I would fare better in Oregon than Mississippi, for example, but that doesn’t mean I love Oregon more, I just love the climate, land, and society a little more. The state is an imaginary border.

Not an American, definitely not.
Dutch second, my hometown first.

I love the area of California I live in, but, I am not patriotic much at all. Ironic for a daughter of the American revolution, but, while I love the Sierras I have also found many, many places in my travels that I could love equally so. Costa Rica, Asia, and, I also love Utah and New Mexico. Angelfire New Mexico is where I almost moved a few years ago.

Ultimately I am a mountain girl, but, there are so many appealing places in this world it is impossible to compare any one to another. Just like people they all add flavor and diversity to the mix. ;-)

Definately an American first. But that may be because I live in NY state, the most f***ed up state in the world. But I like Andrew’s work so far.

I dislike my town, I dislike my state, I dislike the government leading my country thus I suppose dislike my country. However I dislike my country the least out of the three.

I love being an American. However, I am one of those Americans that has a sneaking suspicion that our founding fathers are rolling in their graves right now. I’m disappointed in the direction this country is headed, and has been headed. I have concerns for the future.
My state, I don’t care much.
My city/area/county… I have a special connection. It’s home, and that is important to me. It isn’t a great place to live, we have some significant struggles living here that might be easily avoided by just relocating. But, I think the way the people struggle here is part of what makes us who we are, and I am sentimental about that. We have a rich and fascinating history, despite being mottled with Mafia turf wars and maintaining a status as one of the most violent cities (per capita) in the country for several years, there is still a strong sense of community and connection with our neighbors. Plus, it’s probably the only place where someone with a sketchy background like Jimmy Traficant can continue to hold the adoration of the locals after being incarcerated for some pretty serious crimes. It’s unusual, and it is part of the local culture, and I appreciate that for what it is.
So, I guess my answer is “city.”

Definitely American first.

I don’t love my country. I do love being a New Yorker, though.

My city is the only city I love except for Hong Kong. The state is like what Nevada is to Las Vegas (Take that however you will). And I don’t believe in patriotism. I don’t mind if other people are patriots, but I personally don’t believe that simply being born in a country is something to be proud of and I won’t push my philosophy on anyone else.

I’m an American first, but there are parts of the US I am ashamed of, so I guess I’m kind of a disenchanted American. I have allegiance to several states in which I’ve lived. I’m very fond of several cities and I feel very much a part of the World. Am I equivocating too much?

@Sunny2 Yes, I can’t claim allegiance to a place when I know there are people here that hate me for various reasons.

While I was pondering my answer to this, @Sunny2 said it first.

I guess I identify myself as a “student” first and part of my school community. I don’t feel like I ever have to explain that affinity as I do: “I’m an American, but not that kind of American.”

Oh! I just had this conversation recently. Even though I am an American citizen, this doesn’t come first, because at times I am ashamed of what happens in this country, and the government does abroad. I consider myself a Houstonian first, then a Texan. I love Houston very much. It is a fairly liberal city surrounded by a terribly murky lake of conservatism.

I don’t love or even really care about either. My parents fucked in the United States and my sister tends to live in Oregon and I follow her around. I would probably be happier in Sweden.

“Patriotism is, fundamentally, a conviction that a particular country is the best in the world because you were born in it.”
—George Bernard Shaw

I thought I would explain my answer more, the reason I say American first, is because I feel like the whole country is there for me, open to me. I can move anywhere in the 50 United States, DC, and our terrotories, choosing what I prefer, mountains, prairies, oceans…move to a community that is rural or urban, leans conservative or liberal. I always feel like being more identified with ones state means limiting oneself to the opportunities we have living in such a large varied country.

To say parts of the US embarrass me or dissapoints me is an understatement, but they are not what I think of when I think of being an American vs. Identifying more strongly with a state or community. I think of my America, the ideals of America, what I make of it, and all the places can I can go. If we speak of patriotism, would I be willing to stay in any state if it left the union? I doubt it.

Old question of mine that sort of relates.

No. I do not think of my city or state as divorced from my country.

I do not love my country, state, or town.

I love my planet and my continent, but I prefer Canada and Holland to the US; Vermont, Oregon, NY, and MA to CA; and many cities including Saratoga Springs, NY, Vancouver, BC, Portland and Eugene, OR to the one where I reside.

I.e., I have about the same levels of modest appreciation for the country, state, and city where I live.

@Brian1946 Spa is gorgeous. Love the horses.

I’m from Philly.

That’s all I need to say.

@Adirondackwannabe

Is “spa” a nickname for Saratoga, or for NY communities of that type?
I’ve heard of Ballston Spa, so I’m also wondering if there’s some general connection there.

Ah, I just went to Wiki- is it based on the mineral waters in those areas?

Spa is Saratoga Spring’s nickname. It might come from the springs, but I don’t know that for sure.

I love my country but dislike the Bible belt and government mostly. I love Portland where I live but hate all the hipster assholes. I dunno where I sit on this.

I have some connection with California that I can’t shake, but I’m not going to live and die for this state. It’s entirely possible I could find another place I’ll love more and I don’t have any problem with that. I don’t know that I would be happier living outside of the United States, but I’m also far from patriotic. My city kinda sucks and I can’t wait to find some place better.

Country first, then province. Good question.

I’m from Massachusetts. ‘Nuf said.

I’m from Boston.

Shaw was wrong. We’re better than everyone else because, we’re better than everyone else.