Previously, we asked, “Should the president still be wearing the pin of his political party?” This question created a great deal of interest. Of those who voted, 67 percent believe that the president should not wear his party’s pin, because he is the president of the entire nation, not only of one political party. Another 29 percent or 218 respondents believe that it does not matter; three percent believe he has a right to wear such a lapel pin.

Obama was attacked for his lack of patriotism. This was countered with the explanation that patriotism is not simply determined by whether one does or doesn’t wear a flag pin. Eventually, Obama gave in to his critics and until today, bears the pin on his chic suits. This demonstrates how sensitive a population can be regarding such issues concerning their leadership.

If a national flag pin can be an indication of a president’s or a presidential candidate’s patriotism – or lack thereof – what then does a political party pin on the lapel of a sitting president represent? Perhaps it is an effort to demonstrate his dedication to his party. Most statesmen try to demonstrate their dedication not to political parties, however, but to the people and the nation. That is why they proudly bear the symbol of the nation, not the symbol of a party. In a country that has no history of democratic processes, where the people are fiercely distrustful of government institutions, is it really necessary for the president to wear the pin of his own political party and thereby highlight the differences that exist between government and a large segment of the population? Our question is not a social inquiry, it is a summation of the people’s opinion.