As a European with a lot of US connections, I've always felt a bit uneasy about going to the US, and it's probably the only liberal democracy where I felt this way. So maybe the rule can be a rule now, that I only feel unfairly treated in non liberal democracies.

With the US, you just get the feeling every time you are at security that they might mistreat you, for no reason. The way the agent looks at you, the way the questioning goes, it's like they suspect you of being a criminal. The only other country where the guy made that atmosphere for me was Cuba.

As for violence when you're in the country, my impression with those statistics is that it's highly localized, wherever you are in the world. There's some neighbourhood that you're not supposed to go to, and if you just stay out, your risk is very low.

Regarding the people you meet, the US is the only place where I get the Jekyll/Hyde vibe. Lots of super friendly people who will be happy to chat with you. But also the feeling that if you get on their wrong side, it will be unpleasant really fast.