While the mythology that America has the highest standard of living is beginning to die its long-overdue death, most Americans still honestly believe that their country is the most free in the world.
When Bush told us that "they hate us for our freedom" what was most stunning was that the news media, and many citizens, simply accepted it as a fact.
It's an important myth, because if you believe your country defends liberty and freedom then you can justify all sorts of horrible things done in the name of your country.