Open Letter to Barack, Hilary, John, and Rudy (because, let's face it, no one named Mitt has a chance, and John Edwards just lost all credibility)

I'm tired of being an apologist for the United States. I've done a lot of traveling, I've met people from all over the world, I've lived outside the US for a year and a half, and everywhere I go, to everyone I meet, I have to explain that Americans are not all violent, racist, gas-guzzling religious fanatics. Our standing in world opinion has fallen very low, and I'm tired of trying to deny that this is the entirety of our culture. Oh, certainly, our movies and TV shows, our music and fashion, our junk and fast foods are all eagerly consumed around the globe, but I find that not at all reassuring. When McDonald's and Green Day are held in higher esteem than our government, I believe that to be a clear sign of serious problems. When Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks are more trusted than our president, and considered more sincere, it's time for revolution.
Virginia Tech, Wolfowitz at the World Bank, the Iraq war, obesity, divorce rates, energy consumption, education, cultural sensitivity, gang violence, global warming, drug use, general extravagance and waste, the list is seemingly endless of topics I have to explain and add nuance to. Often, people just want confirmation that what they've heard is true; for example, on the subject of American education, is it true that most high school students can't find Poland on a map? I'm forced to admit, that, yes, that's probably accurate. I then feel compelled to put it in context, which means admitting that most of them can't find their own state on a map either, so don't take it personally. Which makes me think of all the times I asked someone during screening at the blood center, Have you been outside the US or Canada in the last three years? and gotten an answer like, "Well, I went to Hawaii in May."
But I love my country. For all it's problems, I still believe in its promise and potential, and I want desperately for a leader who will realize it. I want us to stop spreading democracy at gunpoint, I want press freedom not to be dependent on ad revenue, I want our major exports to be the best instead of the worst of our culture, I want to stop having to say things like, "The American judicial system guarantees due process for everyone, unless you're black, Hispanic, Middle-Eastern, mentally-ill, developmentally disabled, have any kind of an accent, just kind of funny-looking, an illegal immigrant or have been classified as an enemy combatant by an untouchable, secret military tribunal or the CIA, in which case, you're shit out of luck."
So, to whoever comes out on top in November '08: Do something to make me a proud American again. Please.