As a devils advocate on politics and people... Is not a society defined by its politics? If not then what else defines it. Borders are set by politics, freedoms are granted by politics..etc. As such, a people cannot seperate themselves from the politics that govern them. The pride of a country is found in the systems it holds in place through their politics. To say one is proud of their country, and not in their countries leadership is a bit hypocritical. If the country does not like the decisions of its leadership, it is their civic duty to change that leadership. The American people are a great people (I even married one), but one cannot seperate the policies of politics from the society. They are one and the same.