I think the problem here is that many americans don't give a crap about anyone other than themselves. They'll lie to, steal from, cheat and trample over anyone who gets in their path to the top (or at least to their current destination)! Somewhere along the way, parents lost the ability/authority to be a proper parent. It seems that most are too worried about what the neighbor thinks about them, or are so busy trying to get (cough) that they don't pay attention to their kids any longer.....just insert the electronic pacifier and go have a few drinks without worrying about them.
I was raised in a family that did their best to instill decent values (even though you wouldn't guess it by looking at me) and I believe they did a good job! I still look a man in his eyes and shake his hand to confirm a deal. I still do what i say i will. I don't lie, cheat or steal. I try to "do unto others" at least most of the time. I occasionally give things to people in need....usually anonymously because i don't want anyone thinking they owe me something, or have to "repay" the debt.
I believe one of the issues we all have with society is that
WE ALL JUDGE OTHERS! Usually not maliciously, but it does happen to the best of us. It's easy to assume the guy driving the beamer to the "soup line" is just a (cough) that is abusing the system, because that's the way it looks. Same thing with the lady with 15 kids paying with food stamps and talking on a cell phone.....for all we know, she's a foster mom but that usually doesn't cross our minds because the economy sucks and we're all sick of "paying for others to sit on their buts" while we work hard for what we have. Most of us are heavily influenced by our perceptions of reality whether they are fact or fiction usually has no bearing whatsoever! This is amplified by the media that doesn't seem to be able to report anything other that bad news....falling home prices, weakening of the U.S. dollar and yes, slackers that abuse the system....none of this makes the "common" person feel any better about their plight!
Things have been pretty crappy in this country for MANY years, but its just now coming to a head. We've raised a generation of MTV and nintendo babies to take charge and they're not equipped....last statistic can recall says that 50% of america's high school grads are functionally illiterate!!! They can't read, write, compute basic math equations and have no desire to "go out and get a job"....as i recently told my mom in an email....its gonna be a serious wake up call/kick in the arse when they have to start working 14-16 hour days just to try to buy a loaf of bread!
Hats off to all of the parents out there who are trying to raise their kids with some common courtesy and some semblance of a moral compass
Also, rather than hijack this thread, here's one i started about business ownership
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3174727#p3174727