When Hollywood actually loved America

There was an amazing assemblage in 1970 of Hollywood actors and stars – an assemblage made even more amazing by, compared to today's Hollywood elites, what they were willing to celebrate. The racially diverse group included Bob Hope, John Wayne, Red Skelton, Dean Martin, Ann Margaret, George Burns, Leslie Uggams, Michael Landon and dozens more. All were paying respects to our great nation on the occasion of its 194th birthday. The venue was the 1970 John Wayne Variety Show, during which the celebrities together sang "God Bless America."

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Sadly, it is doubtful today's Hollywood's elite even know the words to the song, and any who do probably would focus more on scrutinizing them carefully for political incorrectness than singing them.

As just we marked America's 242nd birthday this year, most celebrants undoubtedly took the day off as a holiday, but few probably reflected upon the greatness of our nation. Meanwhile, it would not be surprising if the vast majority of Hollywood elites steered clear of any public celebration lest they be condemned for loving a country that has given them such great bounty.

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It is a sad commentary on America. It is difficult to watch a sporting event now where some athlete is looking to display his or her discontent with our ideals by disrespecting the flag and our national anthem.

It is discouraging to witness the downward spiraling trend Americans feel today about the country. For 18 years, Gallup has been conducting a poll in which the question has been asked if one is "extremely proud" to be an American. For the first time in that poll's history, positive responses sank to under 50 percent – to 47 percent. Breaking the numbers down further, such pride held by Democrats fell from 56 percent in 2013 to 32 percent today while Republican responders were at 74 percent.

The poll's record high for all respondents being extremely proud was in 2003, when it hit 70 percent, dropping to 51 percent last year before falling below 50 percent this year.

Despite the Democratic-Republican split on so many political issues, it is disconcerting that holding the country in high esteem is not a top priority. Our history has witnessed political shifts back and forth between right and left, which, until today, seemed to have been an understood consequence of our republic's elections. Where we are in that shift compared to where our ideological beliefs lie, we work to shift in the direction we prefer. In the meantime, we know we must be good sports, accepting the cards voters have dealt the republic. This system has served us well for over two centuries.

Those declaring they are no longer extremely proud to be American seem to fail to appreciate what those before us achieved. While the path they marched was not always the correct one, our history reveals there have always been those among us who stepped up to adjust the nation's compass calibration.

We tend to forget what America has been and continues to be all about. Many of our young people are guilty of this because of an education system that failed to teach them about it. But in a recent National Review article by Jay Cost, he reminds us why we love what the red, white and blue represents:

"For most of human history, the strong ruled over the weak. Enter the United States … it was in America that the idea flourished that only the people should have control over the government. There should be no power-sharing agreement between the many and the few, between the well-born and the commoners. The legitimacy of a government is derived solely from the consent of the people – full stop."

This insight should be shared with those who no longer feel extremely proud to be an American. While America obviously had and continues to have its flaws, for those not feeling the pride, their measure seems to be, "America, what have you done for me lately," rather than embracing and being thankful for what we have received and continue to strive to be. It is something for which we should be eternally grateful.

Do not expect our Hollywood elites suddenly to break out in the lyrics of "God Bless America" over love of country. Unfortunately, that generation of patriotic entertainers left us by last century's end. For today's real "deplorables" – a 21st generation of Hollywood prima donas – it is difficult to understand what America is all about. After all, they only view it through jade-colored glasses atop an ivory tower, playing to their liberal fan base below cheering them on.