I don't agree with all your points. In my view, I do see a fairly strong set of American ideals. But I also see them regularly undercut both by bad personal behavior and from media/entertainment images. That said, I shared your revulsion at the vulgar response given to Rick Perry's death penalty comment. Even if every single one of those executions had been fully deserved, this would not have been anything worth cheering. I though it was shameful and embarrassing. Even as a Texas resident who has to admit that Rick Perry hasn't been all bad for the state, I do not want him to be our next president.