A new CBS News poll reveals that Americans overwhelmingly see democracy as their nation’s greatest contribution to the world over the past 250 years—but when asked to name the most quintessentially American food, they surprised themselves. While apple pie and hot dogs dominated expectations, the humble hamburger emerged as the top choice, according to a survey marking the U.S. semiquincentennial. Meanwhile, deep political divisions have left nearly half of Americans unwilling to celebrate Independence Day this year, with many questioning whether the country can endure another 250 years.
Democracy Tops the List of America’s Greatest Contributions
When asked what the U.S. has given the world, 16% of respondents in the CBS News poll named democracy and freedom as the most significant contribution, outpacing even iconic inventions like the lightbulb (14%) and the internet (10%). The poll, conducted ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary, underscores a paradox: while Americans revere their democratic ideals, they remain deeply divided over whether those ideals are still being upheld.
The poll also highlights a generational and partisan split. Younger Americans and Democrats are far more skeptical about the future of democracy, with many linking its perceived decline to economic inequality and political polarization. According to CBS News, a majority of respondents who believe the American Dream is unattainable for most also see democracy as under threat. This sentiment is particularly strong among those who view the country’s best days as already past.
The Hamburger Dethrones Apple Pie as America’s Most ‘American’ Food
Despite apple pie’s long-standing reputation as the quintessential American dessert—even immortalized in wartime propaganda—respondents to the CBS News poll overwhelmingly named the hamburger (33%) as the most American food. Barbecue (25%) and apple pie (19%) followed, while hot dogs (14%) and pizza (6%) rounded out the list. The result challenges the notion that American cuisine is defined by comfort foods tied to tradition, instead pointing to a more casual, fast-food identity.
The hamburger’s victory is especially striking given its contested origins: while the Library of Congress credits Danish immigrant Louis Lassen with inventing the hamburger sandwich in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1900, its name traces back to the German city of Hamburg. Yet, for many Americans, the burger symbolizes the country’s adaptability—a food that has evolved from a working-class staple to a global phenomenon. The poll’s findings suggest that modern Americans associate their national identity less with heritage and more with innovation and accessibility.
Political Divisions Turn Independence Day into a Polarizing Holiday
As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, a Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that political divisions are reshaping how Americans observe Independence Day. Nearly half (47%) of respondents said they were either not too excited or not at all excited about the upcoming celebrations, while 52% reported they would not fly the U.S. flag at their homes on July 4. The data underscores a growing disconnect between patriotism and political affiliation.
Betsy Halsey, a 63-year-old retired teacher from Pennsylvania, exemplifies this shift. Though she still keeps memorabilia from the 1976 bicentennial, she now refuses to celebrate: “I don’t want to be at the same party with people feeling enthusiastic about where our country is going.” Her sentiment contrasts sharply with that of Dan Marrazzo, a 70-year-old Republican laundromat owner in nearby Langhorne Manor, who plans to celebrate with friends and family, arguing that “the poorest person in America has a better lifestyle than some of the richest people in the rest of the world.” According to The Independent, these opposing views reflect a broader national mood where patriotism is no longer a unifying force but a partisan battleground.
Yale University historian Beverly Gage captures the tension in her observation: “The very idea of celebrating has become political and partisan.” She notes that the pessimism surrounding the nation’s future is widespread, with about four in ten Americans doubting the country’s ability to endure another 250 years. This skepticism is particularly acute among Democrats, 25% of whom say they will not celebrate Independence Day this year, compared to just 8% of Republicans.
Historical Anti-Imperialism vs. Modern Global Ambitions
While the CBS News poll focuses on domestic perceptions, another perspective emerges from Responsible Statecraft, which argues that America’s foreign policy has strayed from its anti-imperialist roots. The outlet highlights how, at the turn of the 20th century, figures like Andrew Carnegie and William Jennings Bryan opposed U.S. expansionism, warning that overseas military commitments would “be a pecuniary burden to the people and a menace to a Republican form of government.” These critics saw empire as a corruption of the nation’s republican ideals, a concern that resonates today as the U.S. maintains global military presence and economic influence.
According to Responsible Statecraft, the anti-imperialist movement was diverse, uniting populists, industrialists, and even former President Grover Cleveland, who resisted annexation and naval expansion. Their warnings about the dangers of militarism and executive overreach echo modern debates over drone strikes, foreign interventions, and the growing federal deficit. The outlet suggests that revisiting this history could offer a corrective to contemporary foreign policy, emphasizing that America’s greatest contributions—democracy, innovation, and opportunity—have always been tied to its domestic values rather than global domination.
What Comes Next: Can America Reclaim Its Optimism?
The CBS News poll reveals a nation at a crossroads. While Americans still believe in the ideals of democracy and the pursuit of happiness, they are deeply divided over whether those ideals are being realized. The hamburger’s rise as the most American food may symbolize a shift toward pragmatism over tradition, but the political pessimism surrounding Independence Day suggests that the country’s future is far from certain.
For now, the semiquincentennial celebrations will proceed amid this tension. Some, like Dan Marrazzo, will gather with friends to celebrate America’s strengths, while others, like Betsy Halsey, will opt out entirely. The question remains: Can the nation find common ground, or will the next 250 years be defined by further division?
The answers may lie in whether Americans can reconcile their pride in democracy with their growing skepticism about its future—and whether the hamburger, as a symbol of adaptability, can bridge the gap between past and present.
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