Yes, as someone from the US, I feel embarrassed when our free-speech rights are lorded over others. After the 1960's Civil Rights struggles, we probably do in fact have the best free speech protection. But it's kind of academic since we (for example) also imprison ourselves the most. (Both in rate and total. A severe stripping not only of speech but freedom and dignity too. And of course it's "political", whatever that means. It keeps many from voting post-slavery.)
There's different forms of social control; it's multi-dimensional. In a top-down democracy with elected kings, it requires consistent struggle to improve things. We're very privileged, and unfortunately arrogant and militantly violent too. I mean, what are we doing in the middle east anyway, handing out flowers? Or killing people, breaking things and making sure we're their boss?