I guess we're talking about semantics at this point.

To me, and to most people I know, "Patriotism" is a substantially stronger statement than "I love my country", and even that is much much weaker than what the sort of wanker who would actually come out and say it in public would be trying to say.

Maybe this is an Australian/New Zealand specific thing, because of how our national character is tied up in disastrous colonial military action. Maybe it's a softer meaning where you live and doesn't have those connotations.

But I have never met anyone in real life who would describe themselves as a Patriot who hasn't been a chud, including the people I know who are centre-right and working class.