LISTEN HERE:
A recent poll conducted by Gallup reveals that there has been a notable decline in the number of U.S. adults who proudly identify as ‘extremely proud’ to be American.
According to the poll, only 39% of adults expressed ‘extreme’ pride in the United States of America, which is just slightly higher than the record-low number observed in 2022.
Comparatively, the figure was four points higher in 2021 and a staggering 16 points higher when Gallup first introduced the question in 2001, notably peaking between 65% and 70% in the years that followed the tragic 9/11 attacks.
Meanwhile, a recent survey conducted by Fox News highlights that 48% of Americans believe that the country’s best days are now a thing of the past, while only 43% remain optimistic about the future.
The prevailing pessimism concerning the nation’s outlook has seen a significant increase since 2012 when just 26% of Americans believed that the best days were behind them. Age, in addition to political affiliation, appears to play a substantial role in shaping Americans’ national pride.
For instance, 50% of U.S. adults aged 55 and older express extreme pride in being American, while the same sentiment is shared by 40% of those aged 35 to 54 and a meager 18% of individuals aged 18 to 34.
Furthermore, a survey conducted by the Wall Street Journal/NORC illuminates a significant decline in the importance attributed to patriotism among Americans. Since 1998, the proportion of Americans who consider patriotism to be ‘very important’ has plummeted from 70% to a mere 38%.
Delving deeper into the subject, the ‘Fox & Friends’ co-hosts engaged in a discussion regarding these polls and their interpretation of why patriotism seems to have lost some of its previous prominence.
Rachel Campos-Duffy, one of the co-hosts, pointed out that younger Americans are exposed to an education system where the nation’s founders are increasingly criticized and disparaged.
She expressed her concern, questioning how and when this shift occurred, expressing a deep-rooted belief that it is a departure from the principles that fostered such patriotism.
In agreement, co-host Brian Kilmeade acknowledged the deviation from prior values, remarking, ‘I just fundamentally don’t know where we got off track like this.’
The most recent Gallup poll, conducted from June 1 to June 22, reveals that 60% of Republicans and 29% of Democrats identify as ‘extremely proud’ to be American. Independent voters, on the other hand, recorded the lowest figure with only 33% expressing such strong national pride.
Campos-Duffy underscored the implications of this attitude on future military participation, raising the question, ‘Who would want to die for a country that you don’t love?’ She emphasized the reliance on volunteers within the military, highlighting the significance of patriotism in upholding national security.
Later in the show, Republican presidential candidate Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina was asked for his insights on the widespread belief that the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Senator Scott attributed this perception to the Democratic Party, accusing them of perpetuating narratives surrounding structural racism over the years.
He advocated for a departure from the left’s portrayal of America as a racist and diminishing country, urging a shift towards engaging the American people in an honest and sometimes painful discussion of the nation’s history, emphasizing its ability to overcome challenges and rise to the occasion.
In conclusion, the recent polls reflect a decline in the proportion of U.S. adults expressing ‘extreme’ pride in their American identity. Alongside this decline, a significant portion of the population holds a pessimistic view of the country’s future.
The age of individuals and their political affiliations are recognized as influential factors in shaping national pride. Moreover, the diminishing importance of patriotism in American society has come under scrutiny, with concerns raised about the education system’s portrayal of the nation’s founders.
As the co-hosts of ‘Fox & Friends’ and Senator Tim Scott discussed these matters, it became evident that patriotism plays an essential role not only in individual identities but also in the nation’s security and the vision Americans have of their future.
