Gallup: Very High Number 'Proud to be An American'

[sabra]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_di...

Gallup: Very High Number 'Proud to be An American'


NEW YORK A new Gallup Poll taken this month shows that despite a range of current concerns fully 85% of adult Americans says they are extremely (59%) or very (26%) "proud to be an American."

Just 5% answered "only a little" or "not at all."

Gallup, however, found wide disparity on level of satisfaction with various issues facing Americans. Health care stands out as the most troubling domestic issue, Gallup reports.

Gallup also outlines the splits on controversial issues, such as "acceptance of homesexuality." It found that 32% are totally satisifed with the current levels of acceptance, 20% want more acceptance and 30% less.

[flyingspacemonkey]

1. Sooo...

What are you saying?

[Postmanx]

3. Why wouldn't they be?

We do live in the greatest country in the history of the world. And as a whole, we are better off than any other country.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

10. greatest country in the history of the world???

According to whom? Americans? Who are the judges? What are the parameters? Not criticizing, just wondering, especially since I (as a foreigner 'alien') find the notion of people who define themselves as living in the 'greatest country in the history of the world' a bit annoying and obnoxious.

[pocket]

19. * said so on the teevee

we got it so much better than all them uropeans and brown people

[fujiyama]

96. Ever see this?

Made earlier...I believe it was modified to fit current thinking:



On edit: Here's the modifieed one: Don't forget Poland!

[Zhade]

53. According to idiots ignorant of the rest of the world.

Or freepers, which is sort of redundant.

[demo dutch]

64. I so agree. America doesn't take very good care of Americans

compared to som European countries like Sweden for example

[Blue_Tires]

74. he probably forgot that sarcasm smiley

[JuniperLea]

18. How is that?

Our health care system is in the toilet, we are losing our civil rights, we have a despot in the White House, the economy is sucking wind, our infrastructure is falling apart, our money is being spent to fund an illegal war...


We used to be great.

[High Plains]

35. Hey, we're Number One!!

In number of prisoners and number of prisoners per capita.

I am proud to be a prison guard, er, an American.

[Fovea]

25. "And as a whole, we are better off than any other country."

I think you need to do a bit more research before you make this breathless assertion.

Our healthcare for the average American sucks ass, and as the saying goes, "when you ain't got your health, you ain't got shit."

Our Dept of Agriculture, EPA, OSHA, and dozens of other watchdog agencies have been euthanized. If you don't think that is important, go eat a lot of beef and get bac to me in 15 years when BSE is eating your brain.

We have almost no manufacturing base besides military contracting, and our housing bubble is looking pretty thin.

We are a source of embarrassment and dread around the world, and who knows how much longer the world is going to tolerate us.

I am sorry to be so disagreable, but I am reminded of Mark Twain's quote of Satan speaking to the the residents of Hell... 'You Chicagoans think you are the best people here, whereas the truth is you are merely the most numerous."

[mccannmd]

88. Of course I am proud.

Of course I am proud to be an American. I love this country. I've lived outside our borders. Most of you don't have a fuggin' clue how good we have it, period.

These kind of posts piss me off.

Its OK to be a Democratic and be proud of your country.

[Fovea]

97. Real sorry to piss you off

but tell me what about my post was incorrect.

I spent 4 years studying how the rest of the world governs itself.

You can be as proud as you wanna be, but my mama always said 'pretty is as pretty does,' and what is doing right here and now is not pretty.

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

46. I call Bullshit...

you obviously have no idea what you were saying. You can take it back now.


edited for spelling.

[Postmanx]

57. Sorry

I will not take it back.

If anyone would like to explain why any other country, on the whole, is better than America, please go ahead.

Until then, I will continue to enjoy living in the greatest country in the history of the world.

[manic expression]

61. You should

How do you measure "greatness"? How? Seriously.

America's health system is terrible, as many have pointed out. Our education is not only pathetic but also based on stratification, meaning education doesn't really exist for those in poverty. The gap between rich and poor is shockingly big, meaning we have third world poverty while CEO's live in luxury and extravagance (let them eat cake, I guess). We are an aggressive nation which has routinely oppressed people of other countries (don't even make me list them); we have toppled numerous democratic governments in favor of juntas and dictatorships, we have crippled nations solely to serve our economic bottom line (and that's just the start). We have recently invaded a country with NO justification, killing hundreds of thousands and are now occupying them.

America is guilty of a long and basically continued history of genocide against the Natives of this land. Slavery and then perpetuated economic repression of minorities has been part of America since the first planters in Virginia. Racism is as American as apple-pie. Gender discrimination is very much entrenched, as women receive lower wages for the same position, reproductive rights are under fire and there is no clause of equal rights in the Constitution (Cuba does, FYI). Our system of government represents the aims of only the rich and powerful, as politicians answer to business and influence only and not to the people. Throughout America's history, dissent has been insulted, sneered at, repressed from sight and even made criminal.

Are you proud of that?

(by the way, that's only the beginning. I could go on and on and on and then some, but that's sufficient for now)

[demo dutch]

65. You obviously haven't really lived or travelled abroad!! or you would know

many countries in Europe with better healthcare, education, etc.

[Solly Mack]

67. make your case if you're going to demand others do the same

simply saying it's the greatest doesn't make it so

maybe you'll like to explain why America, on the whole, is better than all other countries.

Otherwise, you're just spouting nationalistic bovine caca and that ain't even worth the shit it's made of.

[Solon]

76. How about 4 or 5 nations, at least...

Hell, even Canada is better than the US at health care, as one example. But the Scandinavian and "Low" countries all are MUCH better than the US in both freedoms and economics. No-one starves in those nations(think about that a moment, then think of New Orleans), birth mortality rate is much smaller than here, they can do and say what they want, even in one of those nations, they can actually inhale without being sent to jail for 25 years!

[Wiggles85]

105. Starvation???

For one, almost no one starves here either.

No one starved during Katrina. Going a few days without food is not starvation, not even close.

Water is another story.

I'd also like to see just how well those nations would cope with one of their major cities being completey submerged.

[Solon]

132. Well, considering that some of them are below sea level...

Denmark as an example, I think they at least know how to build a LEVEE right! Also, ever worked in a soup kitchen here? There are children that STARVE in this country, just because you don't see it doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. Either live with your head in the sand or live in the real world and come up with real world solutions. Pretty words and jingoism means shit when you are hungry or can't afford a doctor.

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

100. You should...

How is America the greatest...explian that to me...?

All I have to do is point to our broken health care system, our not so democratic style of government, our hideous obsession with violence and guns, and our moronic President who does not care for the little people.

countless countries in Europe manage to supply health care to their people, have a truly representative style of government, ban handguns, have lower crime rates, and have leaders that care for the masses.

So tell me again why you think the US is the best...? What specifically makes you think that..?

[enigma000]

101. Noam Chomsky thinks America is the greatest country in the world

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0205/30/ltm.01.h...

BENNETT: ......Of course, there is a mixed record in this country, why do you choose to live in this terrorist nation, Mr. Chomsky?

CHOMSKY: I don't. I choose to live in what I think is the greatest country in the world, which is committing horrendous terrorist acts and should stop.

Interview with Noam Chomsky, Bill Bennett
Aired May 30, 2002 - 08:33 ET

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

107. Noam Chomsky is subsidized by the Government...

He works for MIT which gets millions of dollars a year form the government to study new technology for our military...
He is not an unbiased critic.

[Wiggles85]

106. On handguns

Actually most european nations have higher crime rates. London is worse than Detroit. You don't need a handgun to murder someone.

This is one issue I'll disagree on. Firearms are an essential piece to a lasting democracy, because they give teeth to all the language about rights of the people and what not. That and I find it reprehensible to delegate your responsiblity for your safety and that of your family to the police. The safety of me and mine is my responsibility before anyone elses.

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

108. Any heavily populated area will have high crime...

but you are wrong on Detroit.

in 2004 Detroit had a murder rate of 42.1 per 100,000
compared to London which had a murder rate of 2.4 per 100,000 in 2004...



http://www.met.police.uk/crimefigures/index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit


edited for spelling.

[BooScout]

102. Well geee.........

Lets see.....I'm living in the UK and everyone here has health coverage....last time I checked about 45 million Americans were without it.

I also drive a car that gets 45 MPG........how many MPG does your car get? ...........Beer is better over here too.......and the pints are 20 ounces rather than a measly 16 ounces.

The education of children is definately a step above US kids IMHO.......they actually can find places on a map over here, know world history, and have a basic understanding of math and science.

Lets talk about my house.......it's stone built.......well over 100 years old and the walls are 2 feet thick........no silly storm is going to knock it down and we don't have to worry about termites......not to mention......there's no mosquitoes either. .........and Britain already had its days of Empire and realized you can't rule the world and it's better to try and get along with everyone rather than lord it over them telling everyone else how great their country is.

BTW........before you bash me as being a Brit ......I'm an American.....born and raised........but I am smart enough to know that the good old US of A is not the greatest country in the history of the world.........when it comes to the history of the world........America is a a mere blip in history so far.........it's got a hell of a long way to go before it come close to being as great as some people insist that it is.

[yppahemnkm]

115. Good post!

[truthInCO]

125. Your will has not been broken yet Postmanx

Give it time and regular visits to DU, you'll be a card-carrying, credentialed America hater. We are the 5%.

[tenshi816]

47. How do you know that?

Who made you the judge? How many other countries have you lived in? What basis of comparison are you using? Just you saying it makes it so?

[Zhade]

52. ...

You're delusional.

[LynnTheDem]

54. That's your OPINION, and that's fine. But it ain't FACT.

And that's a fact.

[foreigncorrespondent]

68. ROFLMAO

That has to be not only the most arrogant, but also the most stupidest statement I have ever seen on this forum.

We do live in the greatest country in the history of the world

That's debatable!

And as a whole, we are better off than any other country.

Uh-huh! That is why most in your country don't have health care, huh? That is why a great number in your country don't have jobs huh?

Really mate, you need to drop this attitude and fast, because you are living in complete denial.

[Solon]

78. I'll have whatever you are smoking right now...

if it makes you that delusional it MUST be good!

[mitchum]

79. Jingoistic horseshit

[pokercat999]

80. Hmmmmm I wonder are they as proud as say the

Germans under Hitler in 33?

Please use your brain we are standing for a war criminal running our country! Yep me too but I'm obviously a coward or I would do something about it.

[leesa]

95. Funny. Where'd ya get THAT silly notion. What are we about 37th in

healthcare now? Or was that literacy? We ain't that great, at all. You watched too many movies and propaganda on the teevee.

[smtpgirl]

82. That

Those 'Murikans are toothless, redneck sons of bitches

[smtpgirl]

83. OR

Better yet, those "Beloved" SUV drivers, those who think that the Earth owes them!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beetwasher]

2. 30% Want Less Acceptance of Homosexuality

And there you have it. 30% of this country are beyond hope and truly evil in their ignorance and hate. These are Bush's vile minions. It's frightening. 30%. Wow. Sometimes I'm amazed at humanity's capacity for hate. Other times I'm not. But there it is in stark reality. 30% can be written off as vile, hateful cretins who can never be reached.

[bunkerbuster1]

11. Nothing like seeing the glass as half full ... of poison!

What kind of percentage would've wanted less acceptance of homosexuality twenty years ago?

My take-away from a poll like this is that the 30% are becoming society's margins. The problem is being solved one funeral at a time, and within my lifetime, it'll just be a tiny minority of Americans who have problems with folks who happen to be gay.

[Beetwasher]

30. I Hope You're Right

More like a third full of poison.

I think the process of progress can be stunted and we're seeing an attempt to do just that.

[shadowknows69]

40. I'm proud to be an American

Too bad that country died in 2000

[smtpgirl]

85. The Shadow does know

I died in that year too, when the election was stolen, 2004 was a repeat fo that

[smtpgirl]

90. I am

Gay, and it is more than that.

All of Congress House & Senate are RUBBERSTAMPS.

When will it end.

Doesn't anyone in office HAVE SOME REAL BALLS.

Or are they just collecting a paycheck, like the rest of us.

It is not time to bitch, it it time to take back what is left!!!!

[rockymountaindem]

4. Hey, I'm proud to be an American

I know what America stands for ( or what it is supposed to stand for) and I'm proud of that. The Bush administration does not represent those things, so I'm not going to let them get in the way of my patriotism.

I'm proud to be an American because I know what we are capable of achieving, and I'm willing to work for it.

[VegasWolf]

5. Very proud to be an American? Why? nt

[donheld]

6. 'Proud to be An American' to me is

another way of saying "Proud to be an Ignorant American." Most amerians have not idea what their government is up to and most like their ignorance.

[DBoon]

37. Most Americans have no international standard of comparison

Do not travel, do not have a passport, and only speak English.

Q. if someone who knows 2 languages is bilingual, and someone who knows 3 is trilingual, what do you call someone who only knows one language?

A. An American

[donheld]

38. That's why it's so easy to say "USA greatest country in the world"

They have nothing to compare it too. How the hell do they know whether it's the greatest or not?

[VegasWolf]

59. Exactly, that is why they say Alabama is the greatest state. It's easy

if you've never crossed the county line.

[smtpgirl]

91. Like those Toby Keith fans

What about Woodie Guthrie,

This land is your land,

this land is my land

[mikeytherat]

7. Proud? No. Thankful? Yes.

Big difference. I am thankful to live in America and have access to all that it offers. I cherish my freedom, and am grateful to live in such a country.

Pride is a deadly sin, and generally not a good thing.

mikey_the_rat

[Hell Hath No Fury]

20. I agree completely...

I am thankful I live in the US, even happier I live in San Francisco.

But proud of the US right now? Not a chance in hell. I am deeply ashamed, mortified, and embarrassed by what our country has become under GWB and the Neocons. And I am disgusted by my fellow countrymen who continue to fawn over such a mass-murderer and criminal as GWB.

[gratuitous]

8. Is this the question Gallup is reduced to asking?

Apparently they don't want to contemplate or consider whether the administration is a corrupt collection of lawless thugs (yes), or whether we're on the right track or not (that would be "not"). We're down to the bottom of the nostrum barrel of whether or not you're "proud" to be a citizen of the United States, whatever in hell that means.

Quick! We need a number that will look good just before the State of the Whatever speech! Ask 'em if they're proud to be an American! Do you love your mother? Do you like hot dogs? Something, anything! Red alert!

[LizW]

122. Who thinks the American flag is pretty?

You hit the nail on the head, gratuitous.

They cast around for what ever question would get a high number. It's laughable.

[Cooley Hurd]

9. Oh yeah, I'm REAL proud!

Fuck that - I'm ASHAMED - DEEPLY ASHAMED of the shit that continues to happen in our name.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[smtpgirl]

86. I totally love

that door exit, that should be a MasterCard commercial, PRICELESS!!

D'OH

[Bluzmann57]

12. Agreed

I am always proud to be an American. I think that there is nothing wrong with being an American, but there is something wrong with the leadership of America. Yes, we have many many problems in this country and will no matter who our leader is, but a truly proud American will try and work to change things for the better. See, as a proud American, I want a better America.
And as far as issues facing this country, health care and education are probably the top two in my humble opinion. There is absolutely no reason that a nation which has the technology and wealth that we have here shouldn't have some sort of national health care program. And if people become more educated, they will see what a horror the Iraq war is and they will see how much bush and co. have screwed up this country. They would also, for the most part, be more tolerant of people who may be "different", such as homosexuals and racial minorities. Naturally, there are exceptions to every rule, but I firmly believe that we, as a nation, must have better educational opportunities as well as health care.

[Zhade]

55. It's not like the U.S. wasn't fucked up before b*s*.

His reign is just accelerating the growth of the rot that's been at the heart of our government for a long, long time.

[VegasWolf]

60. Exactly, Bush has increased the velocity of failure to nearly a vertical

line.

[Zhade]

123. It absolutely terrifies me that so many good liberals...

...think that just getting rid of the b*s* administration will fix all of our problems.

The lack of historical knowledge, even here, frightens me sometimes, and the denial that there have been terrible things done by BOTH parties convinces me that this country might be beyond saving.

[VegasWolf]

127. All empires die. The common folk are the last to know. Bush says

the economy is vigorous, yeah right. It will never be vigorous again.

[UrbScotty]

13. I'm proud to be an American. Just not proud of its government. (nt)

[dave29]

14. Higher Majority felt the poll phone call was being wiretapped

[flyingspacemonkey]

21. Hmmm Wiretap, Smiretap, How about a Wire Reroute?

What if...

The NSA/BushCo is controlling the <B>routing</B> of Polltaker phone calls, intercepting them and <B>ANSWERING</B> the poll questionnaires for the people who are <i>supposed</i> to be answering the phone? Then the poll looks legit to the Polltaker, may be they even let a fea call go through, so some people will say 'Hey, yeah, I took that poll' giving it an air of legitimacy.

I'm not saying this IS happening, but you know, you NEVER know.

[bullimiami]

16. did they ask if they were proud of the behavior of their government?

or military?

I guess moral and ethical climate at 33% sort of covers it.

[Ally McLesbian]

17. No thanks

I cannot be proud of a country that installs a terrorist like W TWICE - the second time on popular vote.

I cannot be proud of a country that overruns other sovereign countries just because W wants to, instead of on genuine security concerns.

I cannot be proud of a country that burns a longtime ally (i.e. France) just because it won't agree to ONE misguided foreign policy decision.

I cannot be proud of a country that votes with Iran in the UN when it comes to human rights matters.

Until this country wakes up and gets itself fixed, I will refuse to identify as an American while traveling abroad. There is too much danger and shame. America today does NOT represent my values. Besides, with an Asian face, even within America my Americanness is always challenged and denied, anyway (and Europeans would rather have me be from China or Korea), so why even insist on it?

[Massachusetts]

22. 'Proud to be An American'

Pax Americana = Pax Romana = tick, tick, tick, tick, tick,

[VegasWolf]

23. Yes Fuhrer! I am extremely proud to be an American!!!

[IndianaGreen]

42. "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer!"

One Nation, One Empire, One Commander-in-Chief

[katinmn]

43. Junior and Congress

[onehandle]

24. I'm proud to be a Real American.

I believe in what this country is supposed to be about.

Not what the Republicans are about. Greed, Hatred, and Fear.

[smtpgirl]

89. they are trying

to break the spirit, run us down, make us like downtrodden, oppressed plebes.

WHERE ARE THE DEMS

In the shitter like the rest of the politicians!!!

[mmonk]

26. actually I've never been less proud.

But I'm informed and know what the rest of the world see and knows. Most Americans live in a cocoon. I'm less proud because we are rapidly becoming some of the less decent people in the world as far as treatment to our fellow human beings, whether at home or overseas.

[VegasWolf]

27. You said it! BTW, I like your TV show. nt

[ret5hd]

28. how can someone be "proud" of something they didn't earn?

or were all of the respondents immigrants?

should people be "proud" of being blue or brown eyed? or white or black? or 6' + tall? or of having small feet?

i would guess that a fair number of the respondents don't vote. A person can logically be "proud" of voting...proud of participating in the political process of the U.S.A. But being "proud" of being born within the confines of a particular geopolitical entity? Whatever. Grateful maybe, but not proud.

i'm proud of being competent at my job. i'm proud of skills i have developed over the years.

Maybe the respondents need to be asked exactly what the word "proud" means to them.

[arachide]

29. I agree - pride should be earned...

not be just a function of where you were born. If people are happy to be American, or grateful, or consider themselves lucky I could understand it, but proud? Just doesn't make sense to me... And for what its worth, lots of people around the world consider themselves lucky to be born where they were, especially those of us lucky enough to have no military engagements, health care for everybody, generous vacation time, long life expectancy, higher education scores etc.

[Hyernel]

31. "Proud to be American" is just something people say. Means nothing...

...in reality. Most people have zero actual knowledge of any other country or culture, so pride in being an Amurikin is just an easy thing to say.

BTW...Isn't pride supposed to be a sin?

[marmar]

93. I agree 1000000 percent...

I probably would have said "the greatest country in the world" 10 years ago, but international travel has shown me just how great the other nations of the world are. Honestly, the Netherlands and Canada are much closer to my vision of what an ideal country is like.

[Justitia]

32. There's your daily dose of "civic religion" for ya...link inside...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_religion

Nationalistic propaganda.

[Dixie Flatline]

33. I'm proud to be an American...

Just not proud of our government.

I imagine most Americans feel that way, as Bush's approval ratings are in the 30s and 40s.

[thebigidea]

34. in other news, 68% claim not to "worry" in favor of "being happy"

doing polls based on shitty song titles? phew. that's useful. Thanks, liberal media!

[madmark]

36. at the end of the day my identity as an american transcends the current bs

being undertaken by bush et al in the name of america.

[katinmn]

39. I'm ashamed and embarrassed

Killing and torturing people all over the world to line the pockets of a few.

Leaving people to die in our own country (forget NOLA already?).

Health care only for those who can afford it.

Mass corruption from the White House to Iraq where they serve our soldiers contaminated water.

This is being done in ALL of our names and Americans sit on their asses and smugly say "I'm proud."

Get real.

[IndianaGreen]

41. They are all proud to be good Germans!

jin·go·ism (jĭng'gō-ĭz'əm)
n.
Extreme nationalism characterized especially by a belligerent foreign policy; chauvinistic patriotism.

jin'go·ist n.
jin'go·is'tic adj.
jin'go·is'ti·cal·ly adv.

http://www.answers.com/topic/jingoism

[Canuckistanian]

44. And that says... what, exactly?

You could get those same results in any country.

Even dictatorships. They may hate their government and leaders, but still love their country.

This "libruls hate America" garbage is just that, garbage.

If anyone hated the country they were living in, they'd leave.

[Disturbed]

45. What exactly are the majority so proud of?

There seems to be a disconnect with reality. The myth of America has been catapulted to such an absurd high that most Americans have no clue what the actual conditions of America are compared to other countries.

[Canuckistanian]

48. You can still love the IDEALS of your country

The basic American values, the Constitution, the culture. I understand that.

This is why some are fighting so hard to preserve it. They see the true mess it's in right now.

[IndianaGreen]

49. What Constitution? Bush is Kommandant-in-Chief

and he is above all laws, all courts.

And what ideals are we speaking of? Torture? Genocide? Surveillance?

The Republic we once knew is no more!

[maxsolomon]

50. Pride goeth before a fall

pride, patriotism = ignorant knee-jerk yahoosim.

[springhill]

51. That's really interesting..........

I saw that same bumpersticker on a car the other day and I wanted to puke. I love my counrty, the country it is supposed to be, but man, I am anything but proud these days.

[Megahurtz]

56. Oh yeah like that's really believable.

[daleo]

58. This has to be among the stupidest polls of all.

A pure patriotic reflex question.

[demo dutch]

62. Unfortunately it's been spoonfed from birth & since Americans don't travel

they generally have no idea that other countries actually exist who really take care of their citizens. No I'm not so proud!

[Lindacooks]

63. Yeah, we all know what a challenge it is to be an American.

Mostly by being born. Whoopie.

[Gregorian]

66. If they have to ask, it's not a good sign.

I don't know a single person who is proud to be American. It could be worse, I know. But it could be better. And I'm always looking to improve something. If it doesn't start going in the correct direction, this country won't be worth the poll it takes to find out what people think.

[Geo55]

69. It's the battered wife syndrome....

when the cops show up at the door , joe sixpack is a great guy to live with.

[johnnyrocket]

70. Proud American who's ashamed of it's president.

[alarcojon]

72. Good way to put it

I agree with you.

There is a great promise inherent in the American dream. My parents immigrated here for that dream, and they will tell you they are happy to be here. But Bush is destroying the dream of America. His quest for a monarchy is a threat not only to American values, but to humankind.

[tomg]

71. I realize that one could answer

"proud, extremely proud, ashamed" and so on, but was there the possibility of responding that "this is an idiotic question in and of itself." Seriously, the question itself means nothing outside of giving X number of citizens an easy feel good opportunity ( regardless of how they respond). I am far more interested in whether people are "proud" of being represented by the present administration. The construct of "country" and what one means by it is itself so amorphous that without some kind of parameters, the question is like asking - to use myself as an illustration -"Are you proud that your mother just happened to be in Brooklyn when she gave birth to you."

[baby_mouse]

110. I feel certain that I have seen this exact answer, word for word

Somewhere else, as a response to a very similar question.

[tomg]

126. If so, that's pretty weird. I never wrote it anywhere

else ( at least I don't recall doing so), and I was born in Kings County Hospital. At the same time, I don't think the idea itself is all that original.

[Name removed]

73. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Blue_Tires]

75. welcome to the site!

[mitchum]

77. Oh, I'm very proud of a history of genocide, slavery, oligarchies...

jingoism, comfortable lies, and all of that other horseshit. Who wouldn't be?

[GoneOffShore]

81. I'm a 5%er

I haven't been proud to be an American since the Vietnam era.

Hey, it's the new bumper sticker - I'm a 5%er !

[Cocoa]

84. how many thought they were voting for a song?

[pro_blue_guy]

87. Overall

I'm proud to be American, just not always proud of our leaders and policies (like telling me, a homosexual male, that I am not allowed to have all of the rights granted to heterosexual people).

[marmar]

92. I'm a proud citizen of the world, a member of the human race...

who happens to hold a U.S. passport.

[leesa]

94. I am deeply ashamed of America.

[robcon]

98. I am deeply proud to be an American.

The U.S. is the greatest force for good in the world, IMO. The government is not the country.

The fact that so many on DU are in the extreme 5% is troubling.

[Binka]

99. The US Is A Stingy Nasty Murdering Old Bitch

Force for good my ass. I left the stink hole in 2002 and I am not coming back. It sucks. Everything about it stinks.

[baby_mouse]

109. :-)

Don't hold back, honey, tell us how you really feel.

[baby_mouse]

111. Oh bugger it

posted in the wrong dam place stoopid mouse

[Binka]

112. Hey Ray & I Are Coming To The UK In May

There is another ex pat who lives in Ilkley and we are having a meet up. Maybe you could join us?! We might be cruising up to Scotland as well. I'll keep you posted!

[baby_mouse]

114. OKey doke! pm me.

I'm buggering off from this site for a bit to pursue other things... but my inbox will tell me if you pm...

xxx

bm

[fujiyama]

104. The US

has the greatest potential force for good, but that doesn't mean it is.

I'm sorry, but a nation that consumes a huge % of the world's resources and has a madman for a leader that will invade and bully the world into submission, is not a force for good.

We can be a force for good, but at the moment we certainly are not.

[Zhade]

134. The fact that you're a conservative on a progressive board...

...is what's frightening.

What's NOT frightening is your allegation that we're extremists. A solid majority of Americans support the same liberal policies we do, in poll after poll.

You're actually the one in the minority in this country.

[fujiyama]

103. Meaningless jingoistic

statement.

It makes sense to be grateful to be in a wealthy nation. Materially this nation is well off. I am grateful that I wasn't born in Sudan or Afghanistan.

But that's fate. I don't see the point of being proud of one's race, ethnicity, or nationality. It's not an accomplishment to be born white, black, Asian, or whatever else.

You can be proud of what a nation stands for (or is supposed to stand for). IMO, we don't stand for what we should. I don't see a whole lot to be proud of that at this moment. But pride isn't the same thing as patriotism or love for one's nation. I have deep respect for this nation's founding ideals but I see those being trashed.

[raccoon]

113. "proud to be an American" is like "support the troops".

Sounds good but it really is meaningless.

[yppahemnkm]

116. Which Country is/was Better?

If not USA.....???

[fshrink]

117. The heavier the conscience,

the weaker the sense of one's own power, the louder the claim. Are you proud to be able to speak? Are you proud of having 2 arms?

[ronnie624]

118. An accurate and revealing assessment

of the abysmal depth of ignorance of the average U.S. American.

And so proud to be pillaging, plundering, bombing, and slaughtering thousands of miles away (as long as those receiving our bombs have brown or black skin).

[NativeTexan]

119. Takes more than BUSH to......

.....keep me from being a proud American or proud Texan.

[MiniMe]

120. Proud to be an American, embarassed by the current administration.....

and the majority party in congress.

[Tight_rope]

121. I use to be proud to be an American...But not now...Bush has disgraced

The great name "The United States of America"!

[agincourt]

124. Very proud

of our thinkers, our philosophers, our scientists, our writers,our artists, our workers for social justice, our inventors, our engineers, our teachers, the ones who do the important things. Not proud of our bloody history and our current freeper troll political system.

[bvar22]

128. "Greatest" country in the World????

Gosh, I don't know about that.

The RICHEST country in the World?
Maybe....we have abundant resources, but they are currently moving into the pockets of the elite few.

The MOST Conspicuous OverConsumers in the World?
No Contest. We win hands down. No one else even close.

The Most Feared Country in the World?
Without a doubt.

but "Greatest" country in the World???

The US has the Greatest Potential for good in the World, but has mostly thrown that away.
We could still make a HUGE difference if we would stop KILLING and start FEEDING, SCHOOLING, and HEALING, but where are the Quarterly Profits in that!




The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[CatholicEdHead]

129. What does the question really mean?

It is too vague and convoluted to get any meaningful results.

[depakid]

130. and 70% of Americans believe in angels

or what ever Gallup tells you they do.

Anyone who believes a word that company says is a bigger sucker than most low income Eepublican voters.

Frankly, I wish people had more sense than to post their garbage here.

[Ben Ceremos]

131. Sure.

It's called sticking your head in the sand. What a joke the once great nation has become.

[fushuugi]

133. there is a difference

there is an irrefutable difference between taking pride in something and loving it. these are two separate actions that need to be disconnected from each other. love is enduring and long suffering ]. on the other hand, pride is a very vain and transient. it also, unlike love, is associated with the actions of the object of the pride .
unfortunately pride and love have become too intermingled in our culture. i cannot believe that 85% of our fellow citizens are proud of unjustified war, torture, abandonment of our founding ideals, support of corporate crimes, or racist tendencies. i do believe that 85% of the people polled love their country. damn the propaganda.

[ConcernedCanuk]

135. AMAZING!! . . . 133 replies and not ONE vote for the Greatest Page . . .

.
.
.

Maybe it's time DU had a WORST page??

[eowyn_of_rohan]

136. Has nothing to do with *

I am proud to be an American in SPITE of what these neocon freaks have done/are doing. That pride is what gives us the courage and stamina to fight them....