[vasco]

> I'm proud of the core principles that America was based upon

I think there's never much to gain in being proud of things you have nothing to do with or control over. If you like some principles you would be proud when you uphold them personally. It is when we start feeling proud in the abstract that we start having issues.

[kelnos]

Can't help but agree. I would go even further and say that pride itself is problematic. Sure, it can perhaps have some good effects, but pride usually blinds people to faults, even if the do acknowledge there are faults.

"Pride goeth before a fall" is a time-worn saying for good reason.