re: Why do liberals/leftists hate the flag and national anthem?

I am a liberal, or at least left of center on enough issues to self identify as one when forced to label myself. What I am not is a leftist no different than the majority of conservatives are part of the alt-right. Lumping leftists and liberals in the same bag is simply incorrect, it is a venn diagram sort of issue, the same as saying every conservative has a Nazi flag tattoo hidden on his butt.

I was a liberal when I took my oath and accepted my commission in the USA. I served out of a love and commitment for the ideals of the US. At least one man or woman in both my parent's families has been on active duty since the beginning of the nation, and before. The families have and have had many liberals and conservatives but at least all the ones I know loved the US.

I have visited over 30 countries and lived in 3 for over a year (not counting military service since that isn't actually "living" in a foreign country). There are things I liked about each country but ultimately I still loved the US more.

I think the majority of the alt-right and the majority of the leftist actually love the country though they both have very different ideas of what the country should be. Our country is not static and if it weren't for people that saw the ideals of the country needed to shift we would still have slavery and women without the vote.

I think true love for a country requires a constant vigilance to make it better. I think this is similar to a child, you may love a child above all other but you may also see their flaws and realize it is your responsibility to help them be better. The US is not perfect nor has it ever been nor will it ever be but those that love it have a responsibility to attempt to make it better.

I believe in peoples rights to peacefully protest and I believe in the potential for the free speech to meet legal consequences.

I further think that labeling anyone that you don't agree with a nasty pejorative is intellectually weak. While the internet is allowing the electorate to become more engaged and educated than ever it has also brought on a high level of tribalism and people living in self chosen echo chambers. People who can not have a civil discussion with those that have different points of view and simply stamp their feet in disgust while spraying insults like so much diarrhea are part of the problem not part of the solution.