A new poll from NBC reveals another low percentage of Americans who feel proud of their country. One NBC reporter put it that we are seeing “a steady 21st century decline.”  The disappointment in these and similar results is exacerbated by the timing of our birthday as a nation, when national affections should be at their height.

If only more Americans would listen to our foreign visitors.  Ever since Marquis de Lafayette, many a foreigner has come here to show and remind us of our greatness.  In fact, it was another Frenchman—Alexis de Tocqueville—whose two-volume book about us in the 19th Century, still taught today, gave us the best explanation of our politics and our culture. 

Now, we’re seeing reminders from soccer fans coming here—with social media posts and titles like, “World Cup fans embrace American culture.”

They’re reminding us not least of Thomas Paine’s words, “What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.”  Let us hope this sinks in.  Too many here still have a lot to learn.