Eight out of 10 Americans (82%) say they would pick the United States if they had the choice of living anywhere in the world, but half that number (41%) do not believe this is a country with liberty and justice for all.

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, rated as one of the nation’s most important holidays by 58%, a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey also finds that most Americans (56%) think the U.S. has changed for the worse since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. That’s quite different from the initial reaction--in October 2001, 57% said America had changed for the better while just 23% said worse.

These findings come at a time when the Rasmussen Consumer Index shows consumer confidence falling for the ninth consecutive month and setting an all-time low for the fourth month in a row.
President Bush’s job approval ratings fell for the fifth straight month, setting a record low for the third consecutive month.

Still, in the new survey, only 10% of Americans say they would live in some other country if given the choice.

Slightly over half (51%) are satisfied America meets the promise of the Pledge of Allegiance that it is a nation with liberty and justice for all. However, only 39% of African-Americans believe this to be true, as opposed to 54% of whites. Over half of blacks (55%) disagree, along with 39% of white Americans.
Women also question this more than men: 46% agree this is a nation of liberty and equal justice, but the same number disagree. However, 57% of men think liberty and equality exist here, as opposed to 37% who feel otherwise.

Republicans overwhelmingly believe this to be true, 75% versus 34% of Democrats.
Political affiliation also colors whether one thinks America is worse off since 9/11. Only 39% of Republicans feel that way, as opposed to 66% of Democrats. and 60% of unaffiliated voters.

When asked to choose the greatest Founding Father from among four names, 37% picked George Washington, 27% Thomas Jefferson, 16% Benjamin Franklin and 9% John Adams. All but Washington signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

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