There surely is a lot to be gained from having a detached view of one's country. I don't have what I would consider a patriotic bone in my body ("my parents happened to fuck here"), but in spite of all of its faults - and if anyone here wants to get into a contest to see who can name the most, I'm game - there is no other country that has facilitated a greater degree of liberty for a greater number of people of a more diverse ethnic, religious, and political makeup, within and without its borders.
Please do not respond with a list of the US's fuckups --- as I've said I'm well aware of them.
I'm just pointing out that there is "something" to American democracy, that something is well worth preserving, and its ability to facilitate change within is one of the best hopes the world has of realizing a better world along secular humanist progressive ideals.
A long way off, certainly.
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