Good read.
Our founding fathers didn't think of themselves as citizens of the United States; rather, most correctly considered themselves citizens of their individual states first and of "these united States" second. This is why at the founding of the republic, "united" was not capitalized.
-Ron Holland
http://thedailybell.com/28726/Ron-Holland-Axiom-4-A-Blueprint-To-Restore-The-Articles-of-Confederation