Got a question for everyone - in america...we have african-americans, mexican-americans and so on....

in canada...they have canadians...
in mexico...they have mexicans...

WHY are some so freakin anal about this? I don't call my self a [insert country]-american....I'm just an american...

can anyone shed some light on this?

[since this country is a "melting pot" why in the heck do we keep saying we're this american and that...aren't we just american if we are born here?!]