By Star Parker
As we prepare to note the 249th anniversary of our country, getting ready for the great celebration next year of America鈥檚 250th, Gallup serves up sobering data.
Per polling just released by Gallup, only 58% of Americans now say they are 鈥渆xtremely proud鈥 or 鈥渧ery proud鈥 to be an American.
When Gallup first asked this question in 2001, 87% said they were 鈥渆xtremely proud鈥 or 鈥渧ery proud鈥 to be American.
Digging deeper, we see that most of this precipitous drop in pride in our country is attributable to those identifying as Democrats.
In 2001, 90% of Republicans said they were 鈥渆xtremely proud鈥 or 鈥渧ery proud鈥 to be an American. In 2025, 92% of Republicans say they are 鈥渆xtremely proud鈥 or very 鈥減roud.鈥
In 2001, 87% of Democrats said they were either 鈥渆xtremely鈥 or 鈥渧ery鈥 proud. But in 2025, only 36% of Democrats say they are 鈥渆xtremely鈥 or 鈥渧ery鈥 proud of their country.
Worth noting is that over the last 25 years, the Republican percentage saying they are 鈥渆xtremely鈥 or 鈥渧ery鈥 proud barely moved. Republican pride in the country stayed strong regardless of the party in power, never ever dropping below 84%.
However, Democrat pride moved with the party in power. During Democrat administrations, Democrat pride in the country increased. During Republican administrations, it dropped.
What this tells me is that Republicans see the country in terms of its principles. Democrats see everything through the lens of politics.
Let鈥檚 look at one issue that is about principles鈥攁bortion.
Abortion is an issue that touches our core values. It鈥檚 like the issue of slavery that once so deeply divided the country. How abortion is viewed, like how slavery was viewed, speaks to how we see and value human life.
Abortion is also an issue in which the country is deeply divided along partisan lines.
Among Republicans, 77% identify as pro-life and 16% as pro-choice. Among Democrats, 83% identify as pro-choice and 12% pro-life.
Regarding the question of the morality of abortion, 23% of Republicans/lean-Republicans view abortion as 鈥渕orally acceptable,鈥 and 64% view it as 鈥渕orally wrong.鈥 Among Democrats/lean-Democrats, 78% view abortion as 鈥渕orally acceptable鈥 and 15% view it as 鈥渕orally wrong.鈥
Among those attending church weekly, 18% see abortion as 鈥渕orally acceptable鈥 and 71% as 鈥渕orally wrong.鈥 Of those whose church attendance is seldom/never, 65% see abortion as 鈥渕orally acceptable鈥 and 25% as 鈥渕orally wrong.鈥
Per a Gallup survey from 2021 to 2023, among Americans who say they have no religion, 63% are Democrats and 26% are Republicans.
So, again, Republicans are about principles, and Democrats are about politics. Whether we鈥檙e talking about pride in our country, or appreciating the sanctity of life, or adherence to the eternal principles of faith, Republicans and Democrats are opposites.
As Democrats lick their wounds and soul-search about their defeat in 2024, we see aggressive young Democrats wanting to push their party even further left.
Listen to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or the young socialist Zohran Mamdani, who is now the Democrat candidate for mayor of New York City.
There is a reason why the ultrasound became such an effective tool in dissuading women thinking about abortion.
When the mother sees the mystery and miracle of life inside of her, she is struck by awe and humility and takes responsibility for the gift of life given her.
Socialism is the opposite. It is what the great Nobel laureate Friedrich Hayek called the Fatal Conceit. Man stepping up to play God.
In 1965, 70% of the country said 鈥渞eligion is very important鈥 in their life. By 2023, this was down to 45%.
In 1965, federal spending consumed 16% of our GDP. By 2023, it was up to 22%.
Less God, more government.
As we move to America鈥檚 250th anniversary, let鈥檚 pray for a great national awakening, restoring the awe of life and personal responsibility that are the hallmarks of a free nation under God.
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