Watch CBS News

60 Minutes/Vanity Fair poll for June 2013

Welcome to the 60 Minutes /Vanity Fair Poll for June 2013. America has always been a dynamic country, but national events, government and social changes seem to be moving faster than ever. What does it mean to be a patriot or a citizen of the United States of America today?

The American Heritage dictionary defines patriot as: a person who loves, supports and defends his (or her) country. It defines citizen as: a person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a given state. In the first definition the key word is love, it's a feeling that is hard to put in to words but you know it when you feel it. The second definition is a little different. As a citizen you "owe" loyalty to your country and are entitled to certain rights in return. But with those rights come responsibilities, like supporting and defending your country. We should all strive to be, and teach our kids to be good, knowledgeable and active citizens.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is spearheading an effort to improve the less than stellar performance of our high school students in Civics and Government classes. Most generations of Americans were well-schooled in those classes but we've slipped some lately. It is one of the best ways to insure the continuation of what Jefferson deemed most essential for the preservation of a free society, a well-educated electorate. And now this month's poll results.

Seven out of 10 Americans would keep the Star Spangled Banner as our National Anthem. Twelve percent would switch to God Bless America which is often sung in addition to the anthem at baseball games. This Land is Your Land got four percent followed by America the Beautiful three percent, Born in the USA 3 percent, We Shall Overcome 2 percent and My Country 'Tis of Thee with 1 percent. Francis Scott Key wrote a poem about a battle he witnessed during the War of 1812. It was later made into a patriotic song. It didn't even become our National Anthem until more than 100 years later by a congressional resolution passed in 1931. On top of that it's hard to sing and it's not that great a song, but it's our song, and as our polling indicates, in America we love our traditions and they die hard.

Check out the Vanity Fair slideshow.
Got a question for our next poll?

Eight out of 10 Americans do not think that it makes a politician any less patriotic if they fail to wear an American flag pin while 15 percent think that it does. Only two percent thought it made them more patriotic, probably the "less is more" crowd. Americans have an uncanny ability to spot a phony and no pin can change that. In the long run they know that a person's character and actions speak more loudly than any symbol.

Seventy-one percent of Americans agree with the statement, (76 percent were men and 65 percent were women). Twenty-seven percent disagreed with the statement. This can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 70s when the Vietnam War was becoming increasingly unpopular. The question was asked, if an 18-year-old can fight and die for their country why can't they vote or buy a beer?

With no good answers, Congress passed the 26th Amendment allowing 18-year-olds to vote. During that same period the majority of states lowered their drinking age to 18. The big difference was that in those days there was something called the draft and kids had little to say in the matter, it gave them a moral high ground on the issue. With today's all volunteer military, they can just say no.

So which of the last six presidents would Americans put on their new bill? Ronald Reagan has the most currency with 38 percent. Nineteen percent would put Barack Obama in the money, 15 percent think that a Bill (Clinton) would fit the bill, 11 percent think Jimmy Carter has the "cashet", and the two George Bush's finished out of the money losing a twin bill.

In this case the response with the lowest percentage is the right that Americans hold most sacred. In inverse order they are, Freedom of Speech eight percent, the Right to Vote 11 percent, Freedom of Religion 18 percent and the Right to Bear Arms 36 percent. Another 27 percent did not know or could not decide.

Americans cherish their rights very dearly, so the follow-up question should be, what corresponding responsibilities do we owe with those rights? Let the debate begin...

Forty percent of Americans didn't even guess and said they did not know who Thomas Paine was. Nine percent thought he wrote "Star Spangled Banner," three percent guessed explorer, another three percent guessed secretary of state and two percent said children's author. Forty-four percent correctly identified the author of " Common Sense" and "The Crisis" the influential pamphlets Paine wrote that inspired many citizens to become patriots.

First published in 1776, the writings captured the imagination of the average citizen. Using both rhetoric and reason his eloquence is credited with encouraging Americans to come to the aid of their country. John Adams was heard to say, "without the pen of the author of 'Common Sense,' the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."

Ninety-two percent of Americans would never marry someone they did not love in order to help them become a citizen. Six percent said yes, they might make such a marriage of convenience. It's hard enough to get and stay married for the right reasons.

Seven out of 10 Americans said there is never a time when they wish they are not an American. Nine percent wish it when the government does something they don't agree with (they must wish it a lot). Seven percent wish it when watching reality TV (they may have a point), four percent said they wish it when doing their taxes ( they failed to remember Franklin's warning, "nothing is certain except death and taxes"), three percent said they wish it when traveling abroad and one percent say they wish it all the time. Really?

Sixty-one percent of Americans think it is very important for children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day. Twenty-two percent say it is somewhat important and 16 percent think it is not too or at all important. Let's return to the big question, how can we improve our students' ability and aptitude in civics and government? Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day may not do the trick, but having young students make that pledge every day may get them thinking about the country and create a good foundation for future learning.

Ninety-two percent of Americans have never threatened to move to Canada while eight percent said they have. During the Vietnam War some draft dodgers moved to Canada and it didn't turn out that well for them in the long run. So why would eight percent of Americans threaten to move north now? Probably not for the climate, but maybe for the natural beauty, good hockey, decent healthcare and friendly people that you find in Canada. Actually, you don't have to look very hard to find all of that and much more right here in the States.

This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. Read more about this poll.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.