i agree with the OP. i believe that is why we have found ourselves in the mess we are in...
there are studies that show america has more cases of teenage pregnancies, STD's, obesity and type 2 diabeties, and divorce than any other developed country...i am also curious to see where we stand as far as our hunger for credit cards compares to the rest of the world...these are symptoms of depression it seems
edit:
or more so, symptoms of insecurity
the US didn't make the top 10 happiest countries...
Table: The World's Happiest Countries - Forbes.com
is it perhaps we as a nation are over compensating for our short comings
because surely, we really don't have anything to brag about when you take these stats into consideration....
Quick diabetes facts
Diabetes causes about 5% of all deaths globally each year.
80% of people with diabetes live in low and middle income countries.
Most people with diabetes in low and middle income countries are middle-aged (45-64), not elderly (65+).
Diabetes deaths are likely to increase by more than 50% in the next 10 years without urgent action.
WHO | Diabetes
Obesity statistics - Countries Compared - NationMaster
the US is #1 compared to the rest of the word
gluttony...we are excessive...it's undeniable.
"Each year, there are approximately fifteen million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the U.S., and this country has the highest rate of STD infection in the industrialized world"
http://www.kff.org/hivaids/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=14302
Divorce rate statistics - countries compared - Nationmaster
The big lie about credit card debt - MSN Money
Worst Cities For Credit Card Debt - Forbes.com
if you live in los angeles the idea that a 62" flat screen TV and 2 cars is owed to anyone who has a yearly income of 50,000 is an act of arrogance
the act of suing mickey dees for serving hot coffee is an act of arrogance...too
and we wonder why our insurance premiums are jacked up so high?
i think there is a prevailing idea that we are owed privileges...the mere fact that reality TV is taking over the airwaves is proof enough for me....