I'd like to interject in this discussion, because I certainly have a few things to say.
I've been living in the USA for about 10 years. There are a lot of good things about this country, and there are some real problems, too. Where this country really shines, is the opportunities it gives you to achieve your dreams and enjoy a high standard of living. For instance, anyone who wants to be rich and prosperous, really can be. Anyone can get a great education, there is religious and ethnic/racial tolerance (think of how diverse the American population is), and nothing stops you from becoming successful. The economic opportunities are great. And just an example: I know of no other country where having an accent doesn't surprise anyone, and is perfectly accepted in society. At the place where I work, there are people from China, Turkey, India, England... The standard of living here is one of the highest: e.g., food is much cheaper than in Canada and Europe, and people can buy a lot more -- a LOT more -- for their money. (A quick but relevant example: turntables are a lot cheaper here than in the UK, as I've found out.) People are also very friendly -- but there's a reason for that, as I'll explain later. Read on.
Now we come to the bad things:
1 - Conservative Puritanism. The American culture is very conservative, and ridiculously strict when it comes to matters of alcohol, sex, nudity, drugs, and anything "objectionable." There is a very powerful Christian Conservative party here, and the country was founded on the Puritan ethic. Examples: Ruthless and unreasonably strict censorship of TV (no nudity ever allowed) and even the Internet (this is being discussed now); the drinking and clubbing age is 21; there is a curfew for teenagers in many places; Colin Powell got reprimanded for talking with youngsters about condoms; and, of course, the infamous "drug war"... with raids, criminal punishment, and "Just Say No!" lessons in school. (Of course, everyone I've ever known has said "yes". Not to mention -- the average age when people lose their virginity here is 16. Funny how two extremes come together.)
2 - Violence. It's dangerous to go to the central parts of cities ("downtown") at night. There are many criminals, bums, etc. You can get killed easily. But this is related to the fact that people can freely own guns here. And in general, the friendly character of the people has been historically linked to gun ownership: When everyone has a gun, there's no choice but to be friendly.
3 - Foreign Policy. Nothing much to say here, I think it should be a little more globalistic and open. In the South, for instance, they have a special party that advocates America's "national sovereignty" -- that no one has the right to stop America.I think this is silly.
So there you have it -- good and bad. If a lot of people are immigrating here, surely that says some good things about life here.
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Sorry, I had to say that, hehe. I believe there might be some good people in the US, I won't generalise. However, most Americans I've met so far were some real pain in the ass. 
