Americans mark 250 years with pride, but worry about the future
Half of Americans plan to fly the flag this July 4, but the same poll finds doubts about opportunity, democracy and the country’s next 50 years.
Just over half of Americans say they are at least somewhat excited for America 250, and half say they will fly the American flag on July 4, a new CBS News/YouGov survey found. The poll, taken June 23-26 among 2,150 U.S. adults, carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.
When asked what is best about the American way of life, respondents most often named “the people.” Freedom and democracy were the most-cited answers for America’s greatest invention, while the light bulb and the internet were the most frequently mentioned specific inventions.
Just half of Americans are even somewhat confident the American Dream is attainable today, and almost half say the nation’s best days are in the past. Political division ranks among the biggest challenges over the next half century. Most Americans think the country generally gets along, but politics drives people apart, and most believe America works best with many different cultures and values.
The findings come as the country prepares to mark 250 years since its founding, with two different organizations shaping the public celebrations. America250, created by Congress, is planning nonpartisan events nationwide. Freedom 250, a White House-connected public-private partnership, has already drawn criticism over politicization as it helps organize anniversary programming.
Historian Lindsay Chervinsky said, “Most republics in history don't last 300 years, and it's because it's a really hard thing to do.”
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