Being from a hillbilly(Scotch-Irish)background I really have to defend my ancestors in that I don't believe they are all inbred, dumb,etc. I am proud of their culture and what these rough and tough ancestors of mine contributed to this country in making it the great nation that it is today. Yee Haw!!!!
This Aussie seems to understand is that that heart and soul of this nation are in the Scots-Irish traditions (I'm one: last name start with the Irish "Mc" but is pronounced "mac"). We are the nonhyphenated Americans. I have ancestors who fought in the Revolution and on both sides of the Civil War. He does have the Europeans view of us down part. My British boss looks at me after describing my heritage and declared me a red-neck.