The Olympic Games in Tokyo are underway, and if a recent poll is any indication of America's patriotism, many Americans will be rooting hard for Team USA to medal in its respective events.
A survey was conducted by the Trafalgar Group, in conjunction with Convention of States Action (COSA), which polled 1,094 voters likely to participate in the next general election.
“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,” Mark Meckler, president of COSA, said, according to its website. “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 poll finds that a majority of Americans feel positive sentiments about the American flag, with 81.7% saying they felt either "pride" or "patriotism." A plurality, 43.6%, chose pride, while the other portion, 38.1%, chose patriotism. Only 8.4% expressed negative emotions of "shame" or "suspicion," while 9.9% described "indifference."
However, party affiliation did seem to cause noticeable differences, with 70.1% of Democrats and 93.9% of Republicans expressing positive emotions toward the flag. However, both political parties had an overwhelming majority of respondents feeling positive about the American flag.
Similarly, 82.2% of independents or those belonging to other parties expressed positive emotions towards the flag.
The Trafalgar Group is a public polling and market research firm. Its website states that Real Clear Politics called it the “most accurate pollster of the cycle among those firms that polled multiple senate and governor races” this year.
COSA is a grassroots political organization with over 5 million supporters across the country. Its mission is "is to restore a culture of self-governance in America and to curtail federal overreach." COSA promotes amendments that would impose limitations on the size and scope of the federal government.
Hawaii News Now reports that 11 athletes from Hawaii are hoping to medal for Team USA at the Olympic Games this week.