America’s desire to care about others is related to the economy, according to The Ticker of Bloomberg View. The American people are more likely to care about others and non-selfish issues more when the economy is riding high rather than riding low. With the slump in the recent economy more Americans are basically looking out for themselves. They are less eager to support programs to help the poor, homeless and even the environment. Americans are divided on whether or not it is the responsibility of the government to provide reasonable and worthy healthcare to everyone. Are Americans becoming jerks or is just survival of the fittest?
The downfall of morality started in 2007. The American belief that the government should help people eat and give people a place to sleep decreased from sixty-nine percent to fifty-nine percent. Those who believed the government should assist the needy decreased from fifty-four percent to forty-three percent. People are against the government falling into debt when it concerns the loss of their money and well-being.
The number of people willing to spend their money to help the environment decreased from sixty percent to forty-three percent. There was a significant increase from seventy-six percent to eighty-three percent in the number of people deciding not to become involved in foreign affairs. Basically people believe that if it doesn’t benefit The United States then why even bother?
Perhaps people becoming more self-interested during a downward economy is just human nature. Being against welfare programs during the time when they are most needed is the human instinct to survive. In a happy economy people are more willing to help others, but if the economy is poor the people need to depend on themselves. If they don’t then who will?
American values are at a low and it’s an ugly realization, but also a truthful one. While many are busy helping the wealthy it is up to others to convince people to care. Perhaps it is easier said than done.
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