Washington Monthly essay says Americans want connection over division

A Washington Monthly article by Dr. Gail C. Christopher argues that most Americans still believe in the country’s ideals but are frustrated that daily life does not reflect them. The piece, drawing on NCHE’s latest Heart of America survey, says people want less division, more fairness and leaders who can ease economic and social stress.

Why it matters: - Dr. Gail C. Christopher argues that America’s political divide does not match what most people actually want: belonging, fairness and lower anxiety in daily life. - The piece frames that desire as important heading into the nation’s 250th anniversary, when questions about the country’s promises carry added weight. - The survey results suggest the biggest opportunity in U.S. politics may be less about deepening conflict and more about meeting a broad public appetite for repair.

What happened: - Washington Monthly published “The Heart of America Still Beats for Connection,” an article by Dr. Gail C. Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity. - The article draws on NCHE’s 4th Annual Heart of America Survey, a public opinion poll of 1,322 Americans age 18 or older conducted online from May 28 to June 3. - Veteran pollster Shannon-Janean Currie, CEO of Empirica Advisors, conducted the survey, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.70 percentage points. - The article was released July 22, 2026, as the United States marks its 250th anniversary.

The details: - Sixty-two percent of Americans say they are proud to be American, down from 72 percent a year earlier. - Only 36 percent say the country is living up to its ideals of freedom, fairness and equal opportunity. - Fifty-two percent say the American Dream is out of reach. - Cost pressures remain intense: 81 percent cite grocery costs, 75 percent cite wages not keeping up with the cost of living, 72 percent cite health care costs and 71 percent cite housing costs. - Elder care is now a leading family strain for 53 percent of respondents, ahead of childcare at 44 percent. - Eighty-nine percent say the country needs leaders who are “transformers.” - Eighty-three percent would support a leader who tries to unite people across disagreements. - Eighty-four percent say faith, kindness and empathy can help America overcome its differences. - Seventy-one percent say they are hopeful the country can find lasting common ground. - Eighty-five percent say Americans are hungry to belong, connect and trust one another again. - Eighty-two percent say promoting diversity in the workplace matters to racial healing, including 74 percent of Republicans, 79 percent of Independents and 92 percent of Democrats. - Eighty percent say reducing racial segregation in housing matters. - Ninety-two percent support teaching the full history of America, including slavery and racism. - Support for reparations has risen to 56 percent from 46 percent in 2023. - The article says Minneapolis residents stood outside in sub-zero temperatures to protect immigrant neighbors during ICE-related violence. - The piece also points to The Hero Next Door by ABC News chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz as a reminder of shared humanity. - NCHE says its Heart of America surveys are archived at the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research. - The full article is available here. - Full poll results are available here.

Between the lines: - Christopher’s core argument is that public life has been dominated by a polarization story that misses a quieter reality: many Americans are tired of conflict and still want a common civic future. - The survey data points to economic stress and family strain as major drivers of pessimism, not just partisan identity. - Her framing links division to public health, arguing that chronic exposure to culture-war messaging can fuel anxiety and illness. - The article also argues that “culture wars” can obscure deeper historical conflicts over human worth and race. - That interpretation places racial healing, housing, education and leadership in the same bucket as political reconciliation.

What’s next: - Christopher calls for four steps: tell a truer story, educate honestly, demand transformational leadership and make healing a cross-sector project. - The article argues that education, public health, media and technology all shape the conditions for national healing. - NCHE and Christopher are likely to keep using the Heart of America survey as a benchmark for public sentiment as the 250th anniversary year continues.

The bottom line: - The article’s central claim is simple: the country may be divided in politics, but most Americans still want the same thing — civility, solidarity, fairness and connection.