Well, it has the biggest incarceration rates per capita, and the biggest death penalty rates, of the whole world, and a horrible legal system (three strikes, for example, or the tons of people that went to jail for BS like marijuana). It has the top incidents of cops killing people in the western world. Heck, until the 70s it even have segregation laws.

Then there's the circus that are internal politics (the same two parties alternating in power for a century, following a bizarro multi-step process as remote from the actual people's vote as possible, with gerrymandering on top, and fat pockets with millions in promotion needed to have any chance as a candidate). Oh, and legal lobbying.

That said, they do have a decent rule of law, a legacy of respect for freedom of speech, and quite good representation at the state level.

[Edit: added some counter-items for balance]