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| -Land of the Free |
| Americans Believe in Our Founding Principles‐But Don't Think We're Living Up to Them |
| 2026-03-30 |
| [Real Clear Politics] n the coming months, Americans will be invited to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission aims to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence by engaging "all 350 million Americans by our nation’s 250th anniversary." The 250th is quite a milestone and it occurs during a period of deep polarization, with Republicans and Democrats not only disagreeing on policies but on basic facts. A cloud of angst hangs over many Americans. Not surprisingly, our national survey on America at 250 finds the country is largely split along partisan lines as to whether its best days lie ahead (46%) or if they are already behind us (46%). In spite of this, we find Americans are remarkably united in support of the nation’s founding principles — even as they worry the country is failing to live up to them. Against heavy odds, this creates an opportunity to change the political climate — particularly through an honest assessment of our nation’s history. The Founders understood that political conflict was inevitable. James Madison warned about the "mischiefs of faction," and George Washington cautioned against the dangers of political parties. At the same time, the Constitution’s system of checks and balances deliberately divided power among competing institutions to prevent its concentration in any one place. Observers of the Founders recognize that conflict was built into the system from the start. The same principles that Americans overwhelmingly support — separated powers, competing institutions, and democratic participation — also produces political friction. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
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| Posted by: Crazy Freddie 2026-03-30 15:38 |
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| Posted by: Procopius2k 2026-03-30 14:27 |