Andrew,

When I hear people in the UK making condescending comments about the US, assuming they are all somehow materialistic imbeciles devoid of humour and knowledge of the world, I'm dumbfounded.

It seems to stem from twin origins, firstly, offence that Americans are uninterested in a small Island off Europe,“that Tony Blair is your King, right?" and secondly, the conceit that although the British influence in the world is declining, the British none-the-less remain superior morally and intellectually: which brings me to your comments.

1) George Washington kept slave...maybe but the point is that Slavery had a complex history in the US, even in that cradle of racism, Georgia, slavery was first abolished as early as 1735, so to give credit to William Wilburforce for a movement that was up and running long before he was born is silly, he was partially responsible for abolition in the British Empire, but only a little Englander would give him credit for worldwide abolition. http://savannahnow.com/node/448938
2)“I see you again avoid the issue of ethnic cleansing and genocide committed against native americans. Well, I can see why.” Because it is slightly laughable? When cultures collide terrible things have always happened, but it's wrong to suggest the US policy to the Native Americans was any worse the British genocide of the Tasmanian aborigines or a host of other peoples who have all but vanished off the world, only a blinkered little Englander would suggest so.
3)“Apartheid was modelled on the US system which was in place at the time of its conception, 1948.”?? South Africa was a colony of which country? Racism in South Africa was institutionalized under whose rule? Or was Gandi a figment of my imagination? Or does it all stem from little old England?
4) There are profound influences left by the British Empire many of them positive, but to suggest they were born out of“a fight for freedom”and that therefore the UK is the country that has done most“in this world in the fight for freedom, good governance and equality" is palpably absurd.

Americans, largely, the property board loonies certainly excepted, are wonderful people, kind, polite, well-educated, considerate people. And I'm reasonably sure that this is at least partly a reflection of the founding principles of the nation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

I am also absolutely certain that your comment that“America's birth as a nation founded on freedom and equality is complete lies”is not only wrong but is born out of little Englander mentality.