UK USA Special Relationship, What does the UK get from it?

I have been thinking long and hard about this UK USA relationship for sometime now and i can see how it benefits the USA but for the life of me i can not see how it does the UK as a whole any favours and its certainly not done Tony Blair and his government any favours, I am guessing we are mainly involved so if times of war the USA would protect us but do we need that in the Day and age of the Terrorist as to apposed to threat from another nearby Country?. Maybe it for trade, But surely we should trade more with our partners in Europe rather than USA, After all we are but of the EU not another US state.

Clearly the US does better from this deal as the UK is a great little outpost to base its Aircraft etc and in the case of Israel situation its a great refueling stop to deliver bombs to attack Lebanon, A great stopping point before going to the Middle East, Also our UK Armed forces are a good Ally to have as they are well trained and more than capable of most tasks required from them.

But whats the UK getting in return?, Why is it that every Government we have had has when America has asked us to Jump we have Asked “How High?”, We have been driven into Crisis after crisis with this so called relationship is it worth it?.

Maybe i am being over political or over sensitive here but i really don’t feel we have benefited at all, Whats your views?.