To all you flag-wavers out there:

I never really thought of the U.S. as a "Land of Opportunity" or as "The Land of the Free and the Brave"

...and I never viewed it as a place of "Liberty and Justice for All"

I just think it's pretty much like most any other country:  another "Socialist Republic" type society, concerned mostly with its "system" and the protocols within, one adherent to its own taboos with their dogmas and stigmas, and comprising the usual social ranking among its citizenry---nurturing and supporting the "important" ones who "matter" while disregarding and ignoring those considered "in the way" or just plain "useless".  And willing to "lock away" anyone deemed a "nuisance" or a "menace".

Any time I hear a flag-waver go on about "our great Constitution and Bill of Rights" or how "America is the greatest country in history" I get the image of either a "snake oil salesman" making grandiose claims about his products or of a pick-up artist who, after spotting a pretty lady at a bar or restaurant, moseys on over to her and starts boasting and bragging about himself and how "great" he is (along with all his other "virtues" and accomplishments) in hopes he'll make a good enough impression on her she'll either go home with him or take him home with her.

Likewise, the U.S. comes across as this pompous megalomaniac country constantly trying overzealously to impress the rest of the world with how "great" it is and how "superior" its brand of government is compared to everyone else's.