RE: America vs. USA. Because of the international baggage associated with it, we really should stop using America as a -nym for The United States of America (ref: Title of DoI & preamble of Constitution); especially us MAGA types. Mexicans, Canadians and MS-13 are “Americans”. I would go so far as to petition Donaldus Magnus to say “May God Bless the United States”. Just like Ronaldus Magnus did.
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In college I had some friends from South America who INSISTED that they were just as “AMERICAN” as I was....and they were. You make a very important point.
What then would we substitute for “American” in defining ourselves?