What do you think accounts for the diminished empathy among Americans these days?

Question

I read often on this board comments like: "Why should I pay for healthcare for other people's children?" Or; "Poor people are poor because they are too stupid to earn a decent wage?" etc, etc, etc.
Comments like these go on and on. There has been a marked decline in empathy in the USA. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Answer 1

Good question. For one, helping the poor has always been a trait of being American. We are also a proud people who first try to do it on our own. This philosophy of turning over all of our responsibility to the government flies in the face of our heritage. Look at the result in the short time since we did that. Increased mandatory taxes to help the poor. Has it helped? Not a bit. In fact it has worsened the problems. Each additional $1 taken as a "contribution" to all these social programs leaves $1 less in the wage earners pockets. At some point everyone struggles because one person thinks another should be made to give their hard earned money to the less fortunate. It seems we create even more needy when we take more taxes. Now you're breeding hostility. We know these programs do not work. There is overwhelming historical evidence it doesn't work, even in our own country. There are better ways of solving problems other than the government getting involved in everything. I am amazed at how many people think that the government can solve all of our problems. Where did this thinking come from? Oh well, not much you can do to change it.

Answer 2

Perhaps too many elitist opinion makers are giving broad descriptions of them as racist, sexist, poor-a-phobic, whatever. Since they are thought of so badly they live up to the elite's claim. Or maybe they see that a government that cannot solve Social Security fianicing; Badly managed Iraq; elected officials more into cutting the other side down than working with them; cannot figure out how to cut spending on redundant bureacratic personel; cannot interpert their OWN CREATED TAX CODES (I called the IRS about a problem 7 times and got 7 answers!!!); then perhaps they have reason to mistrust government helping people. Most of the money will pay bureacrats who are more concerned about dinner plans at the resturant in Georgetown, then the hospital staffing situation in their hospital in Tuba City, AZ.

Empathy is best when done by the people, not forced upon the people.

Answer 3

We live in a me driven society. The values that used to guide America have been lost. We are spoiled. It is sad but true. the incognito of yahoo answers and others like it etc. invite the troll like lack of empathy you are seeing. Some people don't take it seriously.

Answer 4

I don't care. (Oh, wait, that's apathy, sorry)

Seriously, though, if you had a longer memory, you'd realize that there was a lot /less/ support for such measures in the past. We've /never/ had socialized medicine. Now there's enough momentum built up for it that it's a possibility. Doesn't that argue for there being more empathy now, then, say, '92, when Hilary's first attempt at it went down in flames?

Answer 5

When I give to charity, it is on my terms and to the charities of my choosing. Liberals cry a river of tears about those selfish conservatives bereft of all compassion - but it's not compassion if what I earn is taken from me at the point of a gun and distributed to whatever group of victims you want to buy votes from. People are sick and tired of the fruits of their labor being used as a means to your political ends, and that might be why you detect a bit of hostility whenever you go fishing through their pockets.

Answer 6

I don't think it's any more or less prevalent in society than it's ever been. There are just more forums and avenues now for hearing points of view from a greater variety of (ordinary, non-media, non-celebrity, non-politician-type) people.

Answer 7

Yeah as time rolls by everyone is accepting Satan's evil ways, right down to their lack of sypathy or empathy for others. I can't wait to see their spoiled little faces at the time of the end.

Answer 8

My philosophy is that our job on this earth is to help others. Whether people want to agree or not, it's a fact that opportunities are not equal. I have no problem with helping someone who needs it. However, there are lots of people who take advantage of good natured, caring people. That turns people off. I'd guess that most people don't mind helping someone who is trying to help themselves.

Answer 9

I don't think it's diminished personally.... I think it's always been there... especially among the wealthy that believe that they have earned what they have while everyone else deserves what they have...

it's just greed... part of the human condition... and it's always in play... from the Egyptian kings with their slaves to today...

Answer 10

one simple reason the average wage in this country is not keeping up with the rising cost of living. (documented in economic reports). it is easier to spend more in taxes when you have more spending money. but when you start tightening your belt to keep your head above water people tend to worry more about their own needs in stead of the greater good