Politics vs Patriotism

Is there a place in Politics for Patriotism? Are Politicians Patriotic by nature? What role should Patriotism play in Politics? These are all questions I have been asking myself in one form or another. Every Politician takes an oath when assuming the position to which they were elected and many non-elected officials are also required to take an oath.  They swear to uphold the Constitution and defend it from all enemies, foreign and domestic.  Many in recent months have touted this oath as the reason behind their actions in Congress or the Senate.  While non-elected officials have said the same.  What does this oath mean to a Politician or a non-elected official.  Because it seems their interpretation of what it means is much different than mine. For me it means they will do everything in their control to ensure the lives and well being of their constituents and fellow citizens are improved.  It means they will act on behalf of these constituents and fellow citizens.  I do not see them doing this.  Everything they do, every action they take is meant to further the Party they represent.  They are not interested in their constituents or fellow citizens.  They are only interested in deriding the other party and their policies.  They do this through endless committee meetings where they discuss and debate, not the merits of any policy but how they can derail the other parties agenda. When was the last time they ever passed a truly bipartisan bill?  I am not just talking about the current Congress and Senate, it has been years since there was any bipartisan effort to do what is right for the American people.  And why is this?  Because they owe the Party.  The Party gave them millions of dollars to help them get elected.  Other Members of the Party went out on the campaign trail to help them both raise money and raise their image with the public.  They now owe the Party and the Party owns them.  They must toe the Party Line.  Heaven forbid they work with the opposite Party to really get something done on behalf of America.  No, everything they do from the minute they take that oath must be for the Party. It is a shame Politicians are such cowards.  While I don’t believe it will happen in my lifetime, we should vote them all out of office and impose term limits on all elected offices.