Despite being a blue-blooded Englishman, I have always had a soft spot for out trans-Atlantic brethren. Yes they are typically observed as crass, arrogant, imperialistic, contrary and desperate to create a national identity but one really has to look at ourselves and say - are we really any different?
I think what irks us most is that we booted these people out of our country years ago and now they are better than us.
We, the English, have a rather overblown opinion of ourselves ' we seem continually amazed that we are not the best in the world at everything when we live in a teeny, expensive country, lacking in natural resources, suffer cr*p weather and continually knock anyone who is even marginally successful instead of celebrating them (see gutter press for examples).
There is a great deal to be learned from Americans, yes they have their moments of idiocy but don't we all? They are obviously doing something right.
I personally applaud the USA and it's achievements, without the slightest feelings of insecurity - I am an Englishman and proud but I know and accept with good grace where England, as a nation, stands.