Didn't JFK say something like: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."  Not to make this a political discussion but I could go on as to what the Bush era of politics has done to phsyche of this country.  The sad thing is that I am not sure what it would take to reverse these trends. 

For example, we are told we have a "war on terrror"  which essentially is a war on our way of life.  Since 9/11, I have been told of and I have seen first hand the sacrifices of our "young men and women", but where has been the sacrifice of those not in uniform.  The only sacrifice I have been asked to make for this war effort is to keep spending and go to the mall.  With 9/11, the President missed a great opportunity to galvanize the citizenry around a common bond.  I wonder how a $3 a gallon gas tax would have gone over to pay for the war effort or to stimulate innovation to get this country away from dependence on Middle East oil?  Now that would have been a real sacrifice for the greater good.

Lastly, my words are not meant to convey Bush bashing or a political stance one way or another, but it is very clear to me that these political, social, and economic issues can not be solved with simple cliches and even quick monetary fixes.  It will likely take a generational change in thinking.