As someone that has travelled and lived all around the world, including 6months time spent in the US i find this whole thread very interesting. I think its very hard for most Americans to gain any real perspective on themselves and there role in the world with out having travelled outside of their country and also because most Americans have grown up being told they are the best.
I love america and i think it has alot great things going for it but its very easy for someone with some global perspective to see its a country in massive decline, A criminal justice system which is the worst of the 1st world countries, no health care for like a 1/3 of its citizens, an immigration system that makes it very difficult for skilled works to come in, far more difficult than say the UK/australia/canada, A much higher rate of violent crime than most western countries, an addiction to petrol and complete lack of public transport (something i dont understand). i hope it sorts itself out soon before it becomes alot less relevant on the global stage