58% ‘Very Proud’ to Be American

An overwhelming majority of voters believe America is the best country in the world, even though many of them believe the country to be “systemically” racist and sexist.

A new national telephone and online survey by Rasmussen Reports and the Heartland Institute finds that 80% of Likely U.S. voters are proud to be an American, including 58% who are Very Proud. Only 19% are not proud to be an American. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Majorities of all political categories – 90% of Republicans, 70% of Democrats and 80% of independent voters – are at least somewhat proud to be American. However, significantly more Republicans (74%) than Democrats (44%) or independents (55%) consider themselves Very Proud to be American.

Similarly, 77% of Likely Voters agree that America is the best country in  the world, including 52% who Strongly Agree, and just 21% disagree. Ninety percent (90%) of Republicans, 68% of Democrats and 72% of independents at least somewhat agree that America is the best country in the world.

However, the same survey finds that 53% of Likely Voters at least somewhat agree that “America and most of its institutions are systemically sexist in favor of men” and 48% agree that America is “systemically” racist. Furthermore, nearly a third of voters – and a majority of those under 40 – favor giving the United Nations authority to protect civil rights in the U.S.

“I am pleased by most of the results of this poll,” said Heartland Institute research fellow Donald Kendal.

 “Despite all the political division and heated rhetoric, strong majorities across the board are still proud to be American and see the United States as the best country in the world. However, I am deeply troubled by the majority of [younger voters] who would support a plan to cede our national sovereignty to the United Nations over perceived civil rights abuses.”

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The survey of 1,025 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on July 6-7, 2022 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Among the findings of the new Heartland/Rasmussen survey:

– Only 43% of Likely Voters disagree with the statement, “America and most of its institutions are systemically sexist in favor of men,” including 22% who Strongly Disagree. An overwhelming majority (73%) of Democrats, but only 34% of Republicans and 48% of independent voters, agree that America is “systemically sexist.”

– Forty-nine percent (49%) of Likely Voters disagree with the statement, “America and most of its institutions are systemically racist,” including 31% who Strongly Disagree. While 71% of Democratic voters agree that America is “systemically racist,” 74% of Republicans disagree. Independent voters are divided, with 47% agreeing that America is “systemically racist” and 48% disagreeing.

– Sixty-one percent (61%) of Likely Voters would oppose – including 50% who would Strongly Oppose – legislation that would give the United Nations authority over the U.S. government to protect the civil rights of American citizens. Solid majorities of both Republican voters (74%) and independents (63%) oppose giving the U.N. authority over civil rights in America. However, Democrats are divided, with 42% in favor of legislation to give the United Nations such authority and 46% opposed.

– Voters under 40 have more negative views of America than do their elders. While majorities of voters ages 40-64 (59%) and those 65 and older (75%) say they are Very Proud to be an American, only 44% of voters under 40 share that opinion. Sixty-one percent (61%) of voters under 40 at least somewhat agree that “America and most of its institutions are systemically racist,” and 53% of voters under 40 would at least somewhat favor giving the United Nations authority over the U.S. government to protect the civil rights of American citizens.

– More men (63%) than women voters (53%) are Very Proud to be an American. Significantly more women voters (61%) than men (44%) at least somewhat agree that “America and most of its institutions are systemically sexist in favor of men.”

– Majorities of every racial category – 83% of whites, 73% of black and Hispanic voters, and 77% of other minorities – are at least somewhat proud to be an American. Seventy percent (70%) of black voters at least somewhat agree that “America and most of its institutions are systemically racist,” an opinion shared by 41% of whites, 59% of Hispanics and 55% of other minorities.

– Voters with annual incomes above $200,000 are most likely to Strongly Agree that America is “systemically racist.”

– President Joe Biden’s strongest supporters are most likely to favor giving the U.N. authority over civil rights in America. Among voters who have a Very Favorable impression of Biden, 51% at least somewhat favor legislation that would give the United Nations authority over the U.S. government to protect the civil rights of American citizens. By contrast, among voters with a Very Unfavorable opinion of Biden, just 15% support giving the U.N. such authority, while 76% are Strongly Opposed.

“While it is reassuring to see that broad swathes of the American people are proud to be American and believe the United States is the best country, it is puzzling and alarming that many of these same respondents also think the United States suffers from systemic racism and sexism,” said Heartland Institute senior editor Chris Talgo. “But, it is flat-out frightening that most young voters believe the United States should abandon its power to protect the civil rights of American citizens to the United Nations. As globalism gains momentum, and the World Economic Forum continues to push its Great Reset agenda, we must ensure that the U.S. government retains sole dominion when it comes to protecting the civil rights of American citizens.”

The U.S. Constitution is overwhelmingly admired by American voters, but most Democrats believe our national charter is tainted by racism and sexism.

While a majority of American voters still have a favorable opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court, Democrats have turned against the court and would support radical changes to the institution.

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to the public and Platinum Members.

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