In this episode of Try to Control Your Shock and Amazement…
More than twice as many Republicans are proud to be Americans than are Democrats. Amazing, ain’t it? [rolling-eyes emoji] To the surprise of likely no one on the planet, a new Gallup Poll found that while 67 percent of all respondents — including 60 percent of Republicans — are “extremely,” or “very” proud to be American, just 29 percent of Democrats are extremely proud of our country.
If anything, I’m surprised the Democrat percentage is that high.
Gallup asks: “How proud are you to be an American — extremely proud, very proud, moderately proud, only a little proud, or not at all proud? https://t.co/IzDyWPv58p pic.twitter.com/jAiAgU0jGA
— MikesRight (@RealLibSmacker) June 29, 2023
Unsurprisingly, the stark differences in national pride are driven by partisanship, as Gallup explained:
Party identification remains the greatest demographic differentiator in expressions of national pride, and Republicans have been consistently more likely than Democrats and independents to express pride in being American throughout the trend.
That gap has been particularly pronounced since 2018, with more than twice as many Republicans as Democrats saying they are extremely proud. Republicans are also nearly twice as likely as independents to express the highest degree of pride.
But, wait— there’s more, which should also come as no surprise to anyone.
In addition to party identification, age appears to significantly affect Americans’ national pride. Whereas 50% of U.S. adults aged 55 and older say they are extremely proud to be American, 40% of those aged 35 to 54 and 18% of 18- to 34-year-olds say the same.
Although the percentage of U.S. adults who say they are extremely proud to be American remains near the record low, together with the share who are very proud, about two-thirds express national pride. Pride in one’s national identity continues to differ most sharply among partisans, with more Republicans than Democrats saying they are proud.
However, age is nearly as important a factor, with younger adults in all party groups significantly less proud than older adults in each party. While Republican party identification may be associated with greater national pride, the fact that Republicans tend to be older than Democrats and independents also contributes to the party differences.
Given that age is also a significant factor in demographic differences in the feelings of national pride, my anecdotal experience suggests that generally speaking, young people today are not as likely to learn about American Exceptionalism (meaning “uncommon”), freedoms, and equal opportunities for all, as now-older Americans were taught when they were young.
Moreover, social media, public education (indoctrination), and left-wing media misinformation combine to portray the U.S. as a country dominated by heartless corporations, and selfish wealthy conservatives who grow wealthier at the expense of the middle and lower classes.
Hence, minds become closed and misconceptions, hardened.
A Fundamental Difference Between Conservatives and Liberals
The late and brilliant Charles Krauthammer nailed a fundamental difference between how conservatives and liberals view each other.
To understand the workings of American politics, you have to understand this fundamental law: Conservatives think liberals are stupid. Liberals think conservatives are evil.
In addition, in my not-so-humble opinion, conservatives tend to differentiate between love of country, and the policies and destruction wrought by the Democrat Party, while the left conflates its hatred of conservativism with hatred of America as we know it.
I haven’t closed with this “suggestion” in a while: the results of the 2024 presidential election will prove to be profound. Let’s not screw it up.
Related on RedState:
Josh Hawley’s Advice About the Path of the Republican Party Should Be Listened To
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