As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary this weekend, Gallup found that more than half of Americans believe the nation's Founders would be disappointed with the country today. Notably, this sentiment is shared across party lines and concentrated within a single political party.
By The Numbers:
Only 19% of Americans believe the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be pleased with how the United States has turned out, compared with 77% who believe the Founders would be disappointed. The 19% figure is an all-time low, down from 27% in 2013, 50% in 2003, 54% in 2001, and 44% in 1999.
Only 13% of Democrats believe the Founders would be pleased, down from 42% in 2013, 49% in 2003, 58% in 2001, and 43% in 1999. Among Republicans, 25% believe the Founders would be pleased—up from 12% in 2013, but down from 57% in 2003, 48% in 2001, and 47% in 1999. Among Independents, 21% believe the Founders would be pleased, down from 24% in 2013, 46% in 2003, 53% in 2001, and 43% in 1999.
While relatively few Americans say the Founders would be pleased with the United States today, about half say the country has succeeded to a "great deal" or a "fair amount" over the past 250 years in achieving the ideals on which it was founded.
The Bottom Line: Americans across party lines, age groups, income levels, and racial backgrounds are united in believing that the nation's Founders would be disappointed with the way the country has turned out. At the same time, most Americans believe the United States has made meaningful progress toward realizing the ideals on which it was founded. This suggests that while many Americans are frustrated with the country's current political, economic, and social conditions, they nevertheless recognize the progress our nation has made over its 250-year history.
