The Waning of American Patriotism
The results of the Gallop Poll on patriotism taken the first 20 days of June gave me a jolt. Ergo, this piece.
After 9/11, 90% of Americans felt strong national pride; now it’s 58%. Patriotism varies by group: 36% of Democrats, 85% of Republicans, and 58% of Independents report high patriotism. Each younger generation is less patriotic, with 41% of Gen Z, 70% of Millennials, 75% of Gen X, and 83% of the Silent Generation expressing strong pride.
Patriotism has long been considered a defining feature of American identity—a deeply held sense of devotion to the nation, its founding ideals, and its shared destiny. For generations, the term has conjured images of waving flags, community celebrations, and a collective commitment to the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
So what is going on? Why are fewer people not taking pride in their country?
Years of identity politics ethos and “woke” environment created an attitude among many young people: that they are victims of an unfair system and are not responsible for themselves – and that they deserve something from others just because of their victimhood.
Many of our young people start their knowledge about the history of the country by learning ancestors stole the land from the rightful owners. They ‘learn’ via curriculums that include CRT, Project 1619 and DEI that the constitution is racist, founded on the backs of slaves. They learn to hate America because being a patriot means being a fascist and racist. When encountering education at the post high school level, the college professors support the hate and even teach antisemitism. The legacy media supports all this biased history when judged by today’s ethos and culture rather than the context of the times.
Too many of our young people learn to emphasize the importance of ‘social justice’ and ‘climate change;’ not the unique and longstanding American narratives of progress toward achieving the ideals of individual opportunity and equality – and accomplishment.
They have witnessed political polarization and contentious debates which have created different attitudes about what constitutes true patriotism and expressions of national pride. The way Americans consume information has also changed dramatically in the past two decades. The rise of social media and the fragmentation of news sources have made it easier for individuals to find information that reinforces their worldview, whether patriotic or critical. Social media teems with anti-American rhetoric.
It’s little wonder many are now buying the notion that socialism is the path America should follow. That capitalism requires an individual to work to succeed and achieve national pride with other workers – while collectives will care about everyone.
When I see a socialist win a major political party primary for mayor in our nation’s largest city, it waves a red flag to me – that too many people exhibit their ignorance that socialism has been tried and failed. That the experience of socialism is government autocracy.
Last week this space was devoted to our loss of laughter. When we think about it, that goes hand-in-hand with not only with the loss of patriotism, but the loss of happiness.
In 2024, for the first time, the World Happiness Report placed the United States outside the top 20. In 2025, it dropped one spot more, ranking 24th. That’s a generational decline for a country long seen as not only a symbol, but the embodiment, of individual rights, opportunity, prosperity, and freedom.
Americans under thirty years-of age ranked 62nd in the world for life satisfaction, while those over 60 rank 10th, making them some of the happiest older adults globally. The gap between generations is wide, raising concerns among researchers, policymakers, and public health experts.
And what are the main features of individual happiness?
I would suggest that the main things are 1) strong family life and connections, 2) having a job/being financially independent, 3) having good friends and caring neighbors, and 4) being a volunteer.
Certainly, American patriotism has waxed and waned over time. The Revolutionary era was marked by fervent devotion to the idea of independence and self-governance. During the Civil War, patriotism became deeply contested, with competing visions for the nation’s future. The 20th century saw renewed patriotic unity during the World Wars, the Great Depression, the Cold War era, and the civil rights movement.
The recent environment of extreme politicization can make expressions of patriotism seem exclusionary rather than inclusive, leading some Americans to disengage from national rituals – like standing during the national anthem.
Increasing polarization, with some individuals equating patriotism with a particular political orientation rather than a shared national identity, now separates American generations.
We’re losing something important.
**************
Have a great and prosperous week.
Hug somebody.
References:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/692150/american-pride-slips-new-low.aspx
https://www.worldhappiness.report/ed/2025/?_bhlid=64d9590f721c8a00d8eb2d41364e0cf96926a847
SPIDER Bytes
This week’s trivia question is: Helen Keller reached some remarkable milestones despite being blind and deaf. What is the name of the woman who taught her to strive for them? The answer to last week’s question re the only team in the NFL to complete a perfect season: Miami Dolphins. The 1972 Dolphins, led by Don Shula and QB’s Bob Greise and Earl Morrall, and 1,000-yard rushers Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris, needed 17 wins to accomplish the feat, emerging victorious in all 14 regular season contests and the three playoff games culminating in the Super Bowl. The New England Patriots had a 16-0 regular season in 2007 but lost the Super Bowl.
The typical size of a Florida residential solar system is 5-10kw. The estimated cost of panel purchase and installation of an 8kw system is $14, 280 after the state and federal solar tax credits – with a payback period of 8 ½ years.
If we’re really interested in renewable energy, we should note the turbine running 44 yards deep in the waters off the Scotland coast for the last six years. Ocean tides are regular and constant, and non-intrusive to people or land.
Our already huge World Equestrian Center is planning a large sports campus expansion including playing fields, an event arena, and a 4th hotel.
Iran’s nuclear facilities were “severely damaged” in military strikes launched by the United States last month, according to President Masoud Pezeshkian. He added that the nation never intended to develop a nuclear bomb.
If you can address every problem/issue with the same solution, the problem is not real to you – your solution is the problem. If you attribute every negative happenstance to one individual or group, you’ve crossed the line of logic, not to mention civility.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has set a record. She’s vetoed 169 bills so far this year from the Republican majority legislature.
10-armed people were arrested by the FBI for a July 4 attack on an ICE facility in Alvarado, Texas. A local law enforcement officer was shot. The ambushes on I.C.E. facilities and personnel continue in Texas and California. Now the center of armed attacks on I.C.E. agents appears to be California. Shootings and physical attacks on law enforcement? What have we come to?
The National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest teachers’ union, held its annual convention in Portland, OR earlier this month. The resolutions passed were all ‘political’ with most naming Trump. What happened to prioritizing the education of America’s children?
