I know you are not part of the evangelical right, but the "this is America" reference is at least implied in so many arguments coming from the political right where John 3:16 and the Second Amendment are regarded as equally important. Too many American Catholics look at the American and the Catholic part of that description as equally important instead of emphasizing that Catholic is the noun and American just an adjective and I hate to see people who can offer intelligent debate falling into national references that I expect will be completely inconsequential when it is time for judgement. 

If complaining about Rome is our worst sin I expect we would be in good shape. It seems like a baptismal right. (Alas, it is not my worst sin.)

You are, of course, right about the children.

May the Lord look upon us kindly and grant us peace.