I'm sad to see so much defeatism and whining here about rot, etc.
We're still a country where individuals can - and do - make a difference. I don't know of a single public service outfit, community organization, or political party that isn't eager to welcome volunteers. If something is bothering you, there are plenty of opportunities to get off your duff, pitch in and do something about it. That's what they did back in 1776.
The only real problem with America nowadays is that we do too much bellyaching about "them" - "they" are us.
