Catholic-Protestants?

Newsflash to American Catholics: If you don't agree with the Vatican all that much - whether it be on abortion, the use of contraceptives, or papal infallibility - then you're not Catholic, but some strain of Protestantism. Geez, why all the reluctance to admit this. I really don't get it. The whole point of Protestantism is in the name: protest. More to the point, protest to Rome, which it seems most American Catholics are. Yet, if you're interested in the way American Catholics perceive themselves and their church, check out this NYTs article.