America used to stand for freedom, it was the land of opportunities and the land of the free, where government was kept in check and money was honest.
The sad thing is I think most American's still believe the propoganda and are under the illusion that they are 'free'. Will it ever change? Only if they ever elect somone who actually gives a shit and isnt in the pockets of the war machine.
The world is relative.
To compare to the rest of the world, US is still by far the one of the most free country in the world.