We really do believe we're the best, and we consider anger the appropriate response to any challenges to that belief

The term "inferiority complex" comes to mind.

"This shouldn't be a political discussion."   Well it should be, but it should be a political discussion between people with different ideas about how best to provide universal health care, which is what it would be in any other country. There are lots of different models - the British do it one way, the French another, the Germans, the Irish, teh Canadians - it's a long list. And there is room for arguing about the merits of doing it different ways.

But in any of those countries the suggestion of moving to a system in which millions of citizens were excluded from receiving the same helath care as other people wouldn't be the start of a politcal discussion. It'd just be seen as a sick joke, or an indication of poloyical and moral insanity.