Conservatives more proud
of America than liberals?

As U.S. celebrates Independence Day,
Gallup Poll finds wide 'patriotism gap'

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A new Gallup Poll conducted in the days leading up to Independence Day, shows a wide "patriotism gap" between the political right and left in America.

Eighty percent of conservatives said they are extremely proud of the country, while only 56 percent of liberals responded that way.

Some 68 percent of moderates said they were extremely proud of America.

Whites and non-whites showed a similar difference, with 73 percent of white Americans saying they were extremely proud of the country and 59 percent of non-whites responding that way.


How proud are you to be an American? Extremely proud, very proud, moderately proud, only a little proud, or not at all proud? (Gallup)


The poll found younger Americans are less likely to be extremely proud to be Americans than are those who are older. Six in 10 adults aged 18 to 29 say they are extremely proud, compared with about three in four Americans in both the 30-to-49 and 50-to-64 age groups as well as roughly two-thirds of adults aged 65 and older.

Likewise, the Gallup survey found, more than eight in 10 Republicans are extremely proud to be Americans, while two-thirds of Democrats feel this way.

Interestingly, while most Americans are personally extremely proud to be Americans, many perceive that other Americans are not so proud – and only half say the original signers of the Declaration of Independence would be pleased with the way the United States has turned out.

The poll was conducted June 27-29. The results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,003 adults, 18 years and older. It has a margin of error of 3 percent.

In answer to the question, "How proud are you to be an American?" 70 percent of respondents said they are "extremely" proud, with an additional 20 percent saying they are "very" proud. A January 2001 poll, conducted prior to the events of Sept. 11, found somewhat lower levels of pride, as 55 percent of Americans said they were extremely proud to be Americans. After the attacks, however, pride in the country increased substantially, with upwards of two in three respondents saying they were extremely proud to be Americans in two 2002 polls.

The current data show no decline in patriotism almost two years after the terrorist attacks.


How proud are you to be an American? How proud do you think most people in this country are to be Americans? (Gallup)


The poll asked Americans to assess how proud they believe "most people in this country" are to be Americans. Only 42 percent of respondents say that most other people in the United States are "extremely" proud. An additional 35 percent say most people are "very" proud.

The most skeptical respondents – those who are least likely to assign the highest levels of patriotism to others – include men (especially men aged 50 years and older), adults aged 18 to 29, people with postgraduate education, respondents with lower incomes, and liberals. About one-third of individuals in these groups say most other people are extremely proud to be Americans.


Overall, do you think the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be pleased or disappointed by the way the U.S. has turned out? (Gallup)


A final question in the poll asked respondents whether the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be pleased or disappointed by the way the United States has turned out. The results show roughly an even split, with 50 percent saying the signers would be pleased and 48 percent saying they would be disappointed.

Conservatives are definitely more proud of where we are today, then moderates and liberals. I think the questions were too vague. I bet if they were worded a little differently we'd see a huge shift.

If you asked me what the potential for good was from this Country I'd say it was almost unlimited and far beyond what any other country could do. That our human resources are as vast as the sky, that our form of government allows for some of the greatest freedoms for individual achievement, that our culture of ingenuity has the potential to solve some of the worlds most pressing problems, and that when motivated we can do almost anything. Imagine we sent a man to the moon in an age where the video game 'Pong' wasn't even invented.

If you ask me what we as a country have done with these great gifts, I'd definitely say I was disappointed with the current direction.

Rory, you should try writing your own stuff. All this cut and paste stuff is gay.

This poll and its subject is as insipid as Rory.

Here's why. I'm not extremely proud, nor very proud, nor moderately proud, nor even a little bit proud; I'm not proud to be an American. Duh! What does that even mean? What have I done to be proud of in this context that makes sense?

I am extremely fortunate to have been born in America and to be a U.S. citizen. And this stupid poll has the idiocy to ask if I am extemely proud of an accident totally beyond my control? Had I been born in Paraguay, I'd probably be just as "proud" or gratififed to have been born there. Same goes if I'd been born in France, our recent arch-enemy (you're either with us or again' us).

I think people who are proud of something that is totally accidental (country of birth) are the same as sideline fans of sporting events (boy we sure kicked their butts - we? Where were you; I didn't see you on the field) or military actions - boy, we sure kicked some commie a$$! (Yeah, where were you when the $hit came down; oh, yeah, safe at home.)

I'm only proud of things I actually actively contribute to the results of. Being an American is a coincidence of birth for all of us who aren't immigrants.

I'm no more proud of the good things America has done than I am ashamed of the bad things America has done, excepting where I've played some role in doing those good and bad things.

So, Rory, all you proud conservatives are like the mouse in the pocket who are proud cheerleaders of actions others have taken, purportedly on your behalf. You're not gay. You're a girl. No nads.

Now go actually do something, you neocon cretin. Cut & paste doesn't count as doing something. But I wouldn't expect you to know that, since you don't seem to know much at all.

Happy 4th of July! Let freedom ring! Smack a stupid neocon!

WOW!

Am I proud of America? Incredibly so...

Am I proud of how our current leadership runs our country, how we are viewed around the world due to their shenanigans?

No...not even slightly.

Why am I proud of our country?

I'm proud of America for the same reason I am not proud of the Shrub Administration, the hooligans who run that Administration, and the idiotic things they do...

Because I love America...I love it so much that I am willing to do what I can to get those jackasses out of power, and reclaim the proud heritage of our country...truth, justice, transparency in government.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. Patriotism is not supporting your government. Patriotism is loving your country, and doing what you can to serve it. Patriotism is fighting those who seek to make a lesser place...Patriotism is fighting to get Bush and his cabal out of D.C.

lol, How do you tell a stupid neocon from a stupid librocrat? And they would rather be smooched than smacked. ne? And where do our resident Nihilist fit into the scheme of things?
Hell I'm an American and proud of it. All by chance of birth and I didn't even get to pick my parents. But I did serve in the Armed Forces in both Korea, the infamous UN POLICE ACTION, and in Indo China. Helping the French get their bloody derrieres out the of country. Yup I'm proud in spite of the inane anti-this and that crowd.

Way to go Todd. As a true conservative, I still agree very much with your sentiment, even though I don't necessarily agree with your conclusions. I always view life as, how can I make this better, rather than only thinking, isn't this just great. I have always felt that Americans must work to make this county greater. I too am proud of what this county could be and originally standed for, but not so proud always of what it is.

NO!