@Fanburger The whole is prior to the parts...that's the idea behind a national unity, which is not to say that the parts can't be critical of the whole. Patriotism is love of country, not self love.

@Fanburger Parts can't be parts unless there is a whole that they are parts of by definition.

@Fanburger Parts are defined by the whole, otherwise you would have no idea of what adequately constitutes a part

@Fanburger Prior to the Constitution, a document that lays down governmental structure, political processes, and limitations on the use of power there were just new world colonies belonging to the UK, after the Constitution was ratified a new nation was formed, the United States, became a nation comprised of states. The Constitution structures the role of all the parts.

@Fanburger They were not parts prior to the Constitution, it made them what they are...thank you for the discussion.

@Fanburger And I don't blame you for being ignorant.