LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Red, white, and feeling a bit blue. On this Fourth of July, fewer people are feeling extremely proud to be an American according to a new Gallup poll.
Only 45% of those surveyed said they were bursting with pride. It's the lowest number since Gallup started asking the question back in 2001.
News 5 hit the streets to gauge the feeling in Northeast Ohio. We asked parade-goers in Lakewood how they felt on a scale from one-to-10.
"I feel pretty patriotic," said Christina Moore.
Eric Stephens agreed. "Probably say a 10," said Stephens.
While Moore said she loves her country, the latest poll from Gallup gauging American pride tells a different story, exposing a star-spangled bummer for some.
"In the past, it has probably been pretty high, an 8 or 9. I would say it's probably a lower six," said Brandon Box.
Some people we ran into were much lower.
"Ain't nothing to love about this country, it's getting bad. It's bad out here, you know," said Roberta Coleman.
The findings did not surprise Megan McKinley-Nagel.
"Fewer than half? I believe it because everyone is a little, everyone is always angry," said McKinley-Nagel.
American scientific achievements, arts and culture and our military generated the most pride.
"My husband was in the Army for 20 years, so I was a military wife, so I'm super patriotic," said McKinley-Nagel.
The U.S. political system and health and welfare system garnered the least pride.
"We see a lot of negative and we can sometimes get caught up in the negative and we can miss a lot of the good going on around us every day,” said Eric Stephens.
The highest numbers for this question were recorded between 2002 and 2004 following the terror attacks.
"After 9/11 everyone was walking around wearing flags. And people were asked, where's your flag as a sign of patriotism and then now you see it on the other side of people going well, you're wearing a flag, something must be going on," said Moore.
Overall, 70% of U.S. adults say they are proud to be American.
"I like how people stand up for things they believe in, I like when they help out a lot, I like the respect. I'd like the respect to come back. That's a big thing about patriotism,” said McKinley-Nagel.
Also sparking extra pride for people was economic and sporting achievements in America along with our country's diversity in race, ethnicity and religion.
According to Gallup, Republicans and Conservatives say they're the most proud, while Democrats and Liberals are the least.
