I’m proud to be American and proud to think about how America measures up to other countries. My belief in America’s virtues is strong enough that I’m comfortable using other countries’ problems to discuss American problems. (It’s almost like this is one reason to read world news.)

Calling this “political narcissism” is thinly veiled political solipsism. I’m amazed to read that here—do you just put your thoughts about the country in which you live in a little box, separate from everything else? It’s not like you can’t ignore these threads if you’d like; most of us can walk and chew gum at the same time.

It sounds to me like you have some deep-seated insecurities that I really don’t think you should have. I think you should address these before you go around whining about other people’s attempt to discuss things.