American pride has hit an all-time low, a poll finds
The numbers, from a new Gallup poll, are the lowest since the polling organization began gauging patriotic fervor this way in 2001.
The numbers have been falling for much of the 21st century, and are down even from last year. In 2018, 47% felt "extremely proud," while this year 45% are saying the same thing.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/02/politics/american-patriotism-all-time-low-trnd/index.html
But just 32% feel pride in the American political system, according to the Gallup poll.
Pride is partisan
During the Obama years, Republican pride slipped 10 points, from 78% in 2009 to 68% in 2016.
On the Democratic side, the Trump presidency has slashed extreme pride in America in half, from 45% in 2016 to just 22% this year. Meanwhile, Republican pride has been creeping up a couple points each year since the 45th president took office.
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This is a serious question! It seems like we in America HAVE to be proud - it's pounded into us all our lives. America is great! Be proud of our great country!! America is the most blessed nation on Earth, and on and on and on. Do people in other countries get pressured into being "proud" of their country? To be sure, America has done some things that generate great pride. At the same time, America has done some terrible, ghastly things over the last 243 years. And when we say we're proud to be American, is that pride in the government? In the people? In the physical beauty of this country?
I've been to lots of athletic events and other gatherings where the national anthem is sung or played, and it seems like people just go on automatic pilot and stand up and sing along, without even thinking about it. Lately, I've started to notice how often the flag is co-opted as part of advertising, and I remember after 9/11 it seemed like every business had God Bless America on its signs. I remember one place with a sign that said Biscuits and Gravy $2.99 God Bless America!! Shouldn't we be offended when the flag or America is used in that way? To me that kind of stuff is more offensive than taking a knee during the anthem.
Sorry, I seem to be ranting today!
