All my life Americans have been accustomed to thinking of theirs as 'the richest freest' country in the world. By most measurements it was long a contender for that honor and - among the larger countries if equal weight were given to wealth and indices of freedom - probably did deserve to be so described.
The best form of flattery is to be admired imitated or respected. I've always felt proud our fans look up to us or feel we are inspirational.