What is the spirit of the word Patriotism?

Hello All,

Here is a questioning..
I've heard it said "the spirit of a word is in it's interpretation."
So... Patriotism..
Does being a patriot mean that because we love our country, we should just go along with whatever the government and politicians state is the proper course?
Does our definition of Patriotism offer us any recourse toward taking a stand against tyranny and oppression, even, and especially when it is manifest within our own community, country and, government? Does our idea of Patriotism include the concept of sacrifice? If so.. does it require you to sacrifice your comfort and wellbeing, or others?
Is Patriotism waging war in distant lands for the profit of the few, or is it standing (or kneeling) at home, sometimes in opposition to the very thing you love and cherish?
I guess my questioning comes from observation.. I witness good people going off to war to lay down life and liberty for ideals that, for the most part, seem only lip-service from the profiteers.
Why are so many good people willing to go to war over bad ideals? Why are so many good people seemingly okay with this paradigm?
Why do the fearful attack and deride any who question the greatness of this country?

Make America great again? Make Americans great again!

    Governments, like countries, communities, and families aren't inherently good or bad. They become those things through the conscious and unconscious action or non-action of the individuals which comprise the body, and the power of any human system. 
    Is our government a good one, or do we just desperately need to believe it is? 
    Are we good people, or do we just desperately need to believe we are?

Have soldiers with weapons ever made peace...?

    Look inside and find the source of fear.. isn't IT the root? 

It's "inconceivable", I know.. but Patriotism may be a word that doesn't mean what we think it means..
Or perhaps as with all words.. they can only mean what our mind can reason, and our heart infer out of them..
So let us not only broaden the horizons of intellect, and strengthen our reason.. but let us also deepen, broaden, and strengthen our hearts!
If praying is your thing, then please, say prayers for more peace, love, and forgiveness in our hearts, and in our society at large. But please... Don't just pray. The world I believe can take care of itself.. if we can learn to take responsibility for ourselves.

Thank you.

BTW..
Henry David Thoreau wrote an essay called Civil Disobedience.. it used to be taught in school. It's worth reading. Also.. if you read this and it inspires you to ponder more deeply our current condition... Awesome sauce!