AMERICA SAYS..."DO WHAT I SAY NOT WHAT I DO"

Isn't it funny that we Americans are so busy trying to spread Democracy and Freedom around the globe yet, we ourselves have less and less of both.  How ironic that Americans are dying in wars to spread all these rights to others but, our government's actions lead us away from those very things.  Our recent Presidents have taken to scolding countries like China and Russia when they crack down on their people or drift away from their Constitutions or appear to be treating their citizens unfairly.  
It is no wonder these nations give us the "one finger salute," and do what they want to do.  How in the world can we remotely even hope that they will listen to us?  Somewhere along the line we ceased to be a "role model" for democratic ideals and principles and have devolved into nothing more than a paper tiger when it comes to these sorts of things.  
Many of us can remember growing up in the 50's, 60's, and 70's believing that our country was special and better than everyone else and we could take great pride in being Americans.  Sadly,  the actions of our government over the last 40 years or so have thrown that out the window.  It really makes me feel like we have truly lost something we may never get back.  WTF HAPPENED??