Members of Portland’s West End Neighborhood Association just finished reading historian Timothy Snyder’s book “On Tyranny.” Snyder offers important historical insights that are relevant to the present day. In so doing, he draws a sharp distinction between nationalism and patriotism — a distinction that should concern every Mainer when evaluating Donald Trump’s leadership.

Nationalists, argues Snyder, “encourage us to be our worst, and then tell us that we are the best.” This perfectly encapsulates Trump’s political playbook. His rhetoric is fueled by grievance, division and a refusal to acknowledge inconvenient facts. He celebrates loyalty to himself over loyalty to the Constitution, confusing personal power with national strength.

True patriots, in contrast, demand that we live up to our ideals. They have universal values and standards by which they judge our nation — ”always wishing it well, and wishing it would do better.” Patriots invite scrutiny, improvement and accountability.

Trump does the opposite. He distorts truth to serve ego, dismisses universal values in favor of tribal resentment, and defines “greatness” not by moral leadership, but by cruelty, domination, and spectacle.

We should be deeply alarmed by the rise of this brand of nationalism. It does not seek a better America, it seeks an America narrowed by fear, anger, and retribution. Patriotism demands more of us: honesty, humility and a commitment to our shared democratic values.

Let us remember that love of country is not proven by simple slogans, but by striving to make it more just, more free and more true to its founding promise.

Mark Tappan
Portland