The idealized America that Joan Chittister seems to refer to in her column, or the reality of out history?  There have long been oppressed groups in this welcoming immigrant nation.  Our political system has long been controlled by money and the influence of the wealthy - a recent PBS special on the robber barons seeking to control Teddy Roosevelt is a perfect example (http://www.pbs.org/tpt/slavery-by-another-name/themes/progressivism/).  Benign political campaigns?  Look at some of the campaign cartoons and advertisements of the 19th century - as foul as anything you will see on twitter - just a little slower.  We decry outside influence in our political process, while we have done the same to other countries for decades.

America had given much to its citizens and to the world.  And for that we should be grateful.  But government "of the people, for the people and by the people" - was intended for white male land owners... you can look it up.