The US has over its history been something to be proud to be a part of. While there have been certain lapses in certain areas at times, the NET actions of the country (as a country) have been positive.

• Treating new citizens fairly
  
• Encouraging creativity
  
• Encouraging an educated populace
  
• Voting
  
• Checks and balances within the government (ok, so it doesn't work out the way it should but the idea and the ideal are still there)
  
• Freedom to speak out against the government or against a person. Freedom to work any job you can qualify for (no caste system). Freedom of religion.
  
• Innocent until proven guilty with a jury of your peers
  

Now, I realize that a lot of these things aren't as strong as we would like but they are a part of what America is (or at least should be) and that counts for something. Hopefully the current threats to the freedoms will be a temporary blip.