For twenty years, HuffPost has delivered bold and impactful journalism. They remain dedicated to providing readers with factual reporting. Reader support has been crucial to their success, especially during challenging periods. To ensure their continued mission, HuffPost urges readers to contribute and help sustain their newsroom.
The Fourth of July, once a day of national celebration, is now overshadowed by a growing sense of disillusionment, with national pride reaching a new low according to recent polls. This shift reflects a broader pessimism, influenced by bipartisan failures like the War on Terror and the 2008 economic crisis. The current political climate, particularly the efforts to undermine birthright citizenship, has further eroded faith in the American dream, echoing Frederick Douglass’s critique of celebrating liberty while denying it to many. The decline in patriotic sentiment is evident across different demographics, indicating a profound shift in the national mood and a questioning of what once made America great.
John Q. Hosedrinker