What do you think is the most serious problem facing Americans today?

Question

Mark G, I agree with about 80 percent of what you say--maybe more. You've identified a lot of the problem. Good answer.

Jamal, your point is well taken, however I am not concerned about the other countries you mentioned, because I have little influence over them. I could have some small interest in what happens in America, so that is where I have focused. You need not answer if my question offends you.

I will let this question ride a while longer, to see what other ideas might surface. By the way I disagree with the notion that good people are few and far between and that Americans in general lack work ethic. We have plenty of good people and our work ethic is one of the strongest in the world. Those are not our problems, but unfortunately they are not enough to counter our problems either, without some help from the rest of us.

Answer 1

Hi Warren,

I believe it to be a combination of social and psychological dynamics (interwoven and depending on the individual) that have always been there, but have become more prevailent in the past, say about 10 years .

They are Apathy, Fear, Confusion and Greed (in the sense of selfishness and unjustified superiority [lack of humility and/or humbleness]).

I could get into a lenthy dissertation about this; suffice it to say, if you care, they tear you down. If you show courage, you're crazy or a rebel-rouser. If your "smart", you're thought of as a threat to the "controllers", especially if you're NOT a part of the Corporate machine.
And if you're not greedy, "they" will claim you're a communist (I personally am more concerned with my "spiritual health" than my financial status. My bills are paid, I'm comfortable and I'm even paying for producing my own album on a Disabled Veteran's pension; so what's the problem?).

Thanks for leaving this open, Warren; e-mail me if you'd like "the long version".

DoktoR Von§

Answer 2

Bias...
All Flavors of That Candy

Capitalism....
Also known a GREED...

Fear...
It isn't a thing that should be taken lightly...

Injustice...
We still do not have a perfect system...

Stupidity...
We are letting the world surpass us...

Freedom...
I know somebody once died for it...

Oh and by the way we are fighting a "war on terrorism"... If you truly want my opinion then I think fire fights fire rather well. Fight terrorism with terrorism and get it over with. I know I mentioned fear earlier. I don't understand the pissing contest.

Censorship...
How else are we going to get ideas out there...

Information...
This might possibly cure stupidity and fear if it was free...

Hatred...
I know fear, jealousy, stupidity, and a lack of info are key players here. Why Hate what purpose does it serve other than to further the person you hates knowledge of how to get to you...

Lack of Good Will...
Would you if forced to choose save the neighbors children from the burning house at personal risk. I have done a lot of "stupid things like this just for cats and dogs, I could extend the same hand to a child. Also, the minor charms that this effects as well. Did you wave to your neighbor and make sure they were OK today, knowing someone cares might prevent depression and the suicide that might follow...

Lack of Work Ethic...
Too many people sit on their rear ends and expect me and you to buy their way. I have never accepted a handout and never will as long as I can still do my part...

To end with the good people that I have found. I mean GOOD PEOPLE not the people that you think might be good or the people that act good toward only certain people but truly good people are few and far between...

Answer 3

Lack of family, neighbors, and morals. Honestly I also think the electronic age is producing a very fat and lazy society, that is losing it social skills and it's ability to interact with each other on a personal face to face basis. Send a me a text message if you disagree. We can't let our kids play at the park or the ballfields like we used to. God knows who is going to grab them. I knew every parent and kid for three or four blocks from my house by the time I was 7 or 8. I could walk, ride a bike anywhere. If something was wrong every parent in the neighborhood was there. Every parent kept an eye on every kid. Now in our kinder gentler politically correct society, we try to reform people that hurt children, then let them out to see if their better or not. To many people don't want to get involved, and half are looking for a reason to sue somebody. Teachers can't spank kids, police can't touch them, and there is more people trying to make sure no one prays in school, than are worried about the fact that our kids test scores are getting worse, juvenile crime has tripled in the last thirty years, and now instead of fighting after school in the lot next door, they shoot at each other from there. I guess I am a old rural hillbilly, but when I was in High School there was a rifle or shotgun in every boys truck in the parking lot, and no one ever shot anyone else. Now we've banned God and guns, made it acceptable to leave the father out of the family and our kids are killing each other fairly regularly.

Answer 4

Other people here have said this in different ways. It is the decline of the community--religious, social, political groups. There is a book called Bowling Alone that discusses this phenomena.

Answer 5

Christianity

Answer 6

American's..

Answer 7

Concern only for oneself: egocentricity, egocentrism, egoism, egomania, self-absorption, self-centeredness, self-involvement.

Lack of humility, moral certitude and compassion.


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Answer 8

Extremist religion & stereotypes & dumsiness & ineptitude.

Answer 9

AMERICANS are so conceited. . .
why does it have to be

the most serious problem facing Americans today?

why can't it be

the most serious problem facing the world today?

why can't it be the Africans? the Vietnamese, Malayans, Filipinos, Japanese,

Your QUESTION ANSWER'S IT SELF!

AMERICANS ARE SO SELF ABSORBED!

Answer 10

I am trying to keep on living