> "Do you think Americans are using free speech well? Do you feel like the government is accountable to you?"

Yes.

> "In America you have free speech but it's not practically useful for anything. Have a go at trying to stop some government abuse of power."

The protests happening now, civil rights movements in the 60s, the changes after the pentagon papers, the suffrage movement. "Me Too" and its impact on culture, awareness of the continuous lies coming from the current administration. There are an enormous amount of historical examples of free speech being critical to improving the society.

I think you're very wrong, but you're free to be wrong (at least on this website).