PNN – A poll shows that many Americans are skeptical about their country’s continued existence for the next 250 years.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, on the eve of the 250th anniversary of American independence, the results of a new Reuters/Ipsos poll show that many Americans are skeptical about the continued existence of their country for the next 250 years.
Accordingly, as the 250th anniversary of America’s independence is celebrated next month on July 4, 2 in 5 Americans do not believe that the country will continue to exist as an independent country for the next 250 years, indicating a deep divide in Americans’ views of their country.
According to the results of the survey, about 38 percent of people, including 40 percent of Democrats and 26 percent of Republicans, say they do not think the United States will exist as an independent country for the next 250 years, and only 62 percent think their country will continue to exist.
Another finding of the poll is that two-thirds of Americans, including 85 percent of Democrats and 50 percent of Republicans, agree that democracy in the United States is in danger of collapsing. The overall share of those who see democracy as in danger has increased from 57 percent in August of last year, and this increase is related to Republicans being more concerned about the strength of democracy.
In addition, about 77 percent of respondents said it is likely that political violence will increase in the United States in the next five years.
The share of Americans who see the country as a global leader has also declined, with 30 percent of respondents saying the United States is the greatest country in the world, down from 38 percent in the previous survey in 2017, during Trump’s first term. The share of Democrats holding this view has fallen from 26 percent to 11 percent, while the share of Republicans is almost flat at 6 in 10.
In addition, many Americans, including a quarter of Democrats and half of Republicans, think the events surrounding the 250th anniversary of America’s independence have become too political.
There is also a divide among Americans on mundane issues like how to celebrate Independence Day. About 52 percent of Republicans believe the holiday should be celebrated by wearing national flag colors, compared to 20 percent of Democrats. 46 percent of Republicans and 28 percent of Democrats want to participate in Independence Day parades.
The poll comes as Donald Trump has put himself at the center of events marking the anniversary of America’s independence, aiming to turn the event into a political contest for Republicans to win a majority in Congress in November’s midterm elections.
Trump has also seen his presidency as a time to rebuild a country he believes has been destroyed by Democrats, while Democratic leaders see him as a threat to democracy and accuse him of using legal powers to target his political critics.
He accuses Democrats, especially former President Joe Biden, of targeting his friends, including those who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, to change the outcome of the election. Republicans also point to the multiple targeting and failed assassination attempts on Trump during the 2024 election campaign as unprecedented events under the Democrats.
While a few days ago, The Atlantic, in a report, accused Trump of turning the 250th anniversary of America’s independence from a national and historical occasion into a personal and political show for himself.
According to the media outlet; Trump’s move is in conflict with the spirit of independence and the values of the founding fathers of America.
Referring to the Trump administration’s plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the report states that instead of turning the occasion into a symbol of national unity, Trump has turned it into “Trump Day” and is trying to shape everything around his personality and political brand. Trump’s attempt to rename this day Trump Day has left no time, budget or effort for the anniversary’s proper purposes.