American Values essays

American Values essays American values dictate every product of American culture. Products such as inequality, segregation, racism, and social bigotry are all reflective upon the values from which they are formed. It is important for America to burn into the minds of its youth the utopian core American values such as pride, integrity, honor, and hope, but inevitably, upon maturing, every young adult can be found following the path of the founding fathers and adopting the one sole American value of self above all. It can be said that a country can only be defined by its culture, which can be true. However, more importantly, a countrys culture is defined by its class structure, which in turn is based on the economy. Perhaps the most influential European philosphe to the American people is Adam Smith, who envisioned a capitalistic society that ensured the freedom of class mobility. It was a good idea, and would have worked wonders if it were not left for the upper class to decide how it works. Capitalism is based upon capital. Capital is fronted by people who own money. Due to the American values, the people who own money do not want to lose it, and therefore in the construction of the American economy the rich are ensured to stay rich and poor are ensured to stay poor and oppressed simply because Americans value self and money over others and equality. The repercussions of corrupt American values allow for a luxurious lifestyle for the small percentage of the upper class; meanwhile, the poor are forgotten. Another tax cut for the wealthy allow another months payment on a yacht, but for the poor it means less government aid, dirtier streets, less law enforcement, and no healthcare. If politicians, who also follow the sole American value, were less ignorant maybe they would travel the road less taken and steal from the rich and give to the poor, or maybe even just stop stealing from the poor. A percentage of the American people ...