Jonathan Cain - formerly keyboardist with The Babys and Journey - is talking about the American flag as if it is the official flag for the conservative Christian right and no one else.
While Journey continues on their farewell tour that has been ongoing for a few years and there is no end in sight (then it’s not really a “farewell tour”) - Jonathan Cain released a solo single titled, “Winds of Freedom.” The song is about America standing up to fight “across boundless seas - To distant shores.”
Jonathan Cain had his wild days with sex, alcohol, and drugs. Today - Jonathan is a die-hard Christian conservative who is married to an evangelist - Paula White-Cain - who is an advisor to President Trump.
In an interview on the podcast - “Complete Disaster Network” - Jonathan admits he was a Democrat but could no longer relate to the ideology of that party - so he became a conservative. Jonathan is telling Bruce Springsteen to “shut up” with his liberal political ranting during his concert. Of Bruce - Jonathan called him an “annoying, bitter old man” and said just stop talking about politics on stage. Something tells me that Jonathan really doesn’t want Bruce to talk about his politics to anyone. Jonathan says he never brings up politics on stage - he only talks about politics in interviews.
Jonathan Cain talked about the release of his patriotic single saying that he and Ted Nugent are friends and a couple of patriots. He continued, “We love our flag and we love our nation.” Jonathan also talked about conservative artist Kid Rock and said they both are proud of the American flag and “if anybody’s got a problem with me, America, or Jesus, then bring it.”
The threat to fight like that doesn’t exactly sound like something Jesus would say - but that’s not the only problem with the comments of Jonathan Cain.
The expression of love for the flag is a big part of the conservative movement in America and Jonathan Cain is just one of the latest to articulate the idea that the flag represents only a certain group in America - conservative, Republican, Christian Americans.
When I see a huge American flag flying on a Jeep or pick-up truck - I’m sure the driver of the vehicle is a conservative, Republican, Christian America.
Now - there’s nothing wrong with conservative, Republican, Christian Americans flying the American flag - but they wave the flag with the attitude that it’s their flag - and only their flag. The American flag is used as the background of gatherings of conservative and right-wing extremists as if they have taken the flag hostage.
I can’t speak for Democrats or anyone other than myself - but as a registered Independent and a Radical Moderate - I am proud of the American flag and the flag belongs to me and my political beliefs as much as it belongs to anyone.
Without trying to speak for everyone who does it - but it almost seems as if many who fly the flag on their vehicles or wave the flag at events - are acting like their display of the American flag is a reflection of true patriotism and anyone who doesn’t do what they do must not love this country or love our flag.
That’s totally false.
It takes more than flying the American flag to be a real patriot. In fact - many who fly the flag may not actually be true patriots. Being a true patriot requires the understanding that the American flag represents Americans - regardless of their political beliefs. It takes a real American to respect the political opinions they do not share with other Americans.
I applaud Jonathan Cain and everyone Jeep and pick-up truck drivers who display the American flag - just like I expect them to understand that the same flag equally represents me and my political beliefs.
Jonathan Cain has a right to criticize Bruce Springsteen for talking about his political beliefs - but when Jonathan mentioned his friends Ted Nugent and Kid Rock - he did not criticize them for talking about politics during their concerts. That’s being a hypocrite. Was Jesus a hypocrite?
