What Really Matters?

I was watching coverage on the democratic race for president on CNN. They were discussing how the media was starting to criticize Barack Obama. They mentioned the way that Obama came under fire for not holding his hand to his heart during the national anthem, before a rally. People accused him of being unpatriotic. After seeing this, I asked myself "Why does this matter?" Aren't there more significant and effective ways to show the passion you feel towards your nation. For example, trying to make the country better than it already is (wait, isn't that the point of running for president). Similarly in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, Proctor becomes suspicious when it is discovered that he had not attended church regularly in the past. Instead he was taking care of his family while his wife was seriously ill. Obviously caring for others is more important than showing up every week at a place where you're told to do so.