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How Patriotic Are We?
Jim Cassidy
08/02/06

For over 50 years, at my North Andover home, I flew the American flag on a special 25-foot flagpole, placed in the middle of the yard.

Weather permitting, I raised the flag every morning and respectfully lowered it at dusk to be folded and put away, ready for it’s next day of waving proudly to the neighborhood and in addition, on the 4th of July, it was always a 5-flag display at our patriotic home.

Flag waving parades and red-white and blue fireworks...such displays traditionally peak with each July 4th. But a poll recently commissioned by the AARP Bulletin in-dicates Americans have entered this summer in a mood less patriotic than a year ago.

Fifty-seven percent of American adults identify themselves as extremely or very patriotic the AARP poll found, compared with seventy-two percent in a similar Gallup Poll just one year ago.

Why the falloff? The AARP poll found a generational divide. Adults age 50 or over were far more likely (74%) to be highly patriotic than those 18 to 34 (32%) or those 35 to 49 (60%). That’s only 5 percent lower than a year ago for those over 50, but a sharp 22 points lower for those under 50. It is my opinion that those of us who came out of WWII era are the most patriotic of all age groups.

According to the AARP poll, the younger generation feels left out of the political power structure, and is troubled by the repeated evidence of federal incompetence such as FEMA, who dropped the ball in New Orleans, had a chance to save a lot of lives and property, but they didn’t come through.

The results of the nationwide AARP poll are in line with other polls that have found a souring of the nations mood. A Gallup Poll found 25% of Americans satisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time, the lowest total recorded in a decade. For other AARP respondents, patriotism has become closely tied to today’s polarized politics, with dissatisfaction with President Bush and the Iraq War, central to those who feel less patriotic and voice opinions like “we don’t belong there” or “we are in the midst of a Civil War that is none of our business”.

Some expressed an overall disgust with politicians that is symptomatic of the general mood of not trusting any politicians.

Respondents who characterized themselves as more patriotic also tied their feelings to the war, as they feel that as long as we have troops over there, we need to support our country and try to believe in what is going on.

Despite their differences, Americans tend to behave the same when it comes to how they celebrate the 4th of July. Except for 20% of those polled, who said that high gasoline prices might alter their plans, an overwhelming majority of those surveyed said they plan to get together with family, friends or neighbors, and about 7 in 10 said they will display an American flag. Such numbers suggest an underlying unity and shared sense of identity hidden beneath today’s political acrimony.

After all is said and done, I think we are still a proud and patriotic nation.

Jim is Vice-Commander of American Legion Post #219. He served as a combat infantryman in WWII, fighting in France and Germany with the 70th Infantry Division. Jim Cassidy was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. You can email him with questions or comments at: Cassperryst@aol.com

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The August, 2006 Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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