Reuters tried to bury the lede by focusing on loyalty to employers but the evidence is loud and clear and cannot be hidden. Americans love their country and don't like the direction it's currently going in.
Americans more loyal to brands, country than company
Reuters
By Walden Siew Walden Siew – Thu Apr 29, 12:12 am ET
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – Americans are more loyal to their favorite soft drink, television show or car brand than they are to their employer, according to a joint Reuters/Ipsos poll.
But they are most committed to their country, followed by their family and their doctor.
"The most surprising thing was that country, which is more abstract, was No. 1, ahead of your family or spouse," said Timothy Keininghan, the author of the poll and a co-author of the book, "Why Loyalty Matters."
"There's a general belief that the government is broken, and people want to fix it," he said.
Seventy percent of Americans questioned in the survey said they are more loyal to their country now than they were two years ago.
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4 comments:
Dear Sarah,
As the Reuter/Ipsos poll's designer, I'd love to comment.
Our finding that 7 out of 10 Americans are more loyal to their country than two years ago is indeed significant, as you rightly point out. What this tells me is that Americans have a very personal relationship with their country, and are quite closely identified with the concept of being American. Think about it: We learn the Pledge of Allegiance at age 5 or 6, and recite it thereafter hundreds of time a year. As children, our country becomes an extension of our family. Americans' increased level of loyalty to the USA is a reflection, I believe, of our enduring hope of achieving, sustaining, and improving the American Dream.
I would add that Americans make a distinction between their country and their government. Only 35% in the poll said they were more loyal to their political party, and even less, 32%, to political leaders. Mark Twain had it right more than a century ago when he said, 'Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it.' It appears that the current political climate has made us as Americans more fiercely loyal--and protective--of our country than before, not less so. When America is in trouble, as it's been in the past few years, we are compelled to rally to her cause.
As I wrote in my book, Why Loyalty Matters, "Too often citizens find themselves jaded by the failings of our governments. But they are “our” governments. While a government that meets its duty of loyalty to the people may sound like the ideal, it is not. It is merely the minimally acceptable threshold of government. Our loyalty to our country requires it. And it is our national and patriotic duty of loyalty to insist on nothing less."
--Timothy Keiningham, EVP, Ispos Loyalty, and coauthor of Why Loyalty Matters (BenBella Books)
Great post "Sarah," lol. You as well, Tim.
You guys may be shocked to learn that even though Canada is a pretty-darn near socialist country, we're pretty loyal as well. Perhaps just a bit more low-key about it. Not that I couldn't do without the socialism part. Believe me, all the Obama/socialist naysayers are correct. It sucks being taxed into oblivion, where the courts have the final say when our "leaders" are to cowardly to make a decision.
By the way Adrienne, how's that little package coming along?
By the way Tim, I'll look for your book.
As you know I watch hockey and we usually get the Canadian feed because we buy pay-per-view games. Just from watching Canadian TV we can tell that Canadians are very loyal to their country and love their country so much. Also watching the Olympics was really inspiring to see how loyal Canadians are to their country. It was great!
The little package is coming along great! There are many pink dresses and barbie dolls in my future. ;) ;) Thanks for asking!
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