The Bible tells us that pride is a sin. Are we, then, right to be proud? Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the Bible.
Most of us were fortunate to be born here, with no effort on our part. I'm very happy that dumb luck placed me in the USA. Because I didn't do anything special to be born here, I find that pride does not describe my feelings about being a citizen of the USA. I feel fortunate, lucky, grateful, blessed, etc. to live here.
Until 9/11, very few people flew the flag in my town. Since 1982, I've flown the flag for every Veteran's, Flag, Memorial, and Independence Day, and was one of the first to raise the flag on 9/11. I've always voted, even in primaries, I've risked my life for my community, write letters to the editor, serve on city government committees, and donate my time, therefore, I feel patriotic, but not proud. 20% regular, voter, turnout is a disgrace to our veterans and makes me think that we don't disserve to feel pride.
I think a lot of the recent flag waving, "God Bless America" (North, South, or Central?), and "America is the greatest nation on earth" is disingenuous. Doesn't God bless all nations equally? Perhaps not. God seems to have blessed the USA disproportionately - so why do we petition god to bless us further?
The USA may be the mightiest nation, for the time being, but there are other countries that treat their own citizens and neighbors with more dignity than we do. I've been fighting to improve my nation and community so that we can proclaim that we are the greatest nation on earth, but we've a long way to go.