As an immigrant to the US I feel similarly. The country has been wonderful to us and the negative things we hear domestically and abroad just don't track with our experience at all.

The OP focuses on respect, admiration and gratitude and finds what to feel this way about the is focused on what he can contribute. These are keys to success and thriving in any society.

Had he come with a very different attitude of entitlement and resentment (super common among immigrants as well) he would have had a very different experience.

Good for him