“I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.”

So goes the chorus of Lee Greenwood’s hit song, “God Bless the U.S.A.” It’s a particular favorite as our nation celebrates Independence Day.

And what of that independence from the tyranny of the British crown? In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson and the other Founders wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

With those quotes laying the foundation, we turn to a new Gallup poll that holds disturbing results. For the first time in 18 years asking the question, a minority (47%) of Americans are “extremely proud” to be Americans. Gallup notes that’s “down from 51% in 2017 and well below the peak of 70% in 2003.”

The partisan breakdown is most telling. While the number of Republicans saying they’re “extremely proud” has ticked up a few points, Democrats’ sentiments have plummeted. In 2013, 56% of Democrats were “extremely proud”; now it’s just 32%. “Liberals” are even worse at a mere 23%. It’s interesting that the slide began during Barack Obama’s second term, only accelerating with Donald Trump’s election.

Two observations. First, the Obamas regularly disparaged our great nation. Everyone remembers Michelle’s infamous claim after Barack won the 2008 Democrat presidential nomination: “For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country.” Clearly, she’d been bitterly disappointed until her country did something for her. Worse, as president, Barack Obama was constantly lecturing the country about something he didn’t like, saying, “That’s not who we are.” That declaration of his deep disappointment in America was a recurring theme. Hillary Clinton continued it with her “basket of deplorables” slur. Is it any wonder that message became embedded in the Democrat voter’s psyche?

Second, we return to the Declaration. Democrats fundamentally do not believe that unalienable Rights are endowed by our Creator. Instead, they believe government — their god — bestows rights on downtrodden identity groups. Witness their panic over Roe v. Wade as Trump considers a new Supreme Court justice. When your god is government and the “enemy” is in power, the feelings of panic, despair and anger are obviously more than many leftists can bear.

For those of us who love our country, as Mark Alexander wrote on this topic in 2013, “No matter what setbacks we face, Liberty is an eternal endowment. Never lose faith, fellow Patriots!”