These days the Republicans exemplify your statement.

I read it very much the same way.

Makes me sick.. I think it’s relatively recent, too. My guess being either Carter or Reagan ushering it in. I know the bulk of recent religious overreach was to ‘combat the godless communists’ … but when are they going to realize that war’s over?

It is pretty much a catch all platitude

Is god being invoked to bless the continent?
Is the speaker simply hoping god will bless the American people, as many say god bless as a salutation?
Is it an insistence that a god bless America as opposed to anything else blessing it, the devil for example?
Or an instruction to god to bless America as opposed to the UK, France or god forbid Russia?
Or is it just the political speakers Amen, so we know they have finished waffling and we should all applaud now like performing seals on steroids?

Who can say?

I cringe anytime I hear anyone bless anything. So very much bullshit !