Rockingham Times

While culture wars and current political discourse might paint a picture of division and lack of allegiance, a recent poll indicates otherwise.

The Trafalgar Group poll finds that the vast majority of Americans feel positive emotions about the American flag, with 81.7% saying they felt either "pride" or "patriotism." A plurality, 43.6%, answered "pride," while the other portion of 38.1% said "patriotism." Only 8.4% expressed negative emotions of "shame" or "suspicion," while 9.9% described "indifference."

While the results did show a sizable difference between political parties -- with 70.1% of Democrats versus 93.9% of Republicans expressing positive emotions -- both sides have large majorities feeling positively about the flag. Eighty-two percent of independents expressed positive emotions towards the flag.

This survey was conducted by the Trafalgar Group, in partnership with Convention of States Action, and surveyed 1,094 likely general-election voters.

Convention of States Action (COSA) is a grassroots political organization with over 5 million supporters across the U.S. The organization's primary focus is on calling an Article V Convention of the States to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. COSA only promotes amendments that would impose limitations on the size and scope of the federal government.

Mark Meckler, president of Convention of States Action, said, “Heading into the Olympics, these numbers demonstrate that — on issue after issue — America is still America, a nation of good and decent people. The public isn’t buying the lie that our flag is a ‘symbol of hatred’ or oppression, and our Olympians are proud to represent the stars and stripes in Tokyo. And for those few who said they feel shame, indifference or suspicion when thinking about our flag, I’d like to remind them that the right to express that view was paid for by the blood of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect this symbol of freedom around the world.”

The Trafalgar Group is a public polling and market research firm. Real Clear Politics called it the "most accurate pollster of the cycle among those firms that polled multiple senate and governor races” this year.

This poll is particularly relevant during the Tokyo Olympics, as the American flag has been on international display as athletes participate in competitions.