To Robert, Sarasota. You must be relatively young. I grew up in the America you refer to as a "culture to be proud of". I grew up in the 50's and 60's. America was strong both morally and financially. Then came the hippies (liberals) of the 60's. They wanted "change". Sound familiar? Well they got it. Now we have the America you talk about in your beginning statements. When I was young, people stood proudly when the Pledge was said. Not today. You got the America you wanted. Enjoy it. Liberalism will lead to the destruction of the world.