(Reply to my original comment since I couldn't edit anymore)
I should point out that my comment is simply about perspective, not complacency. Of course we should strive to fix and hold gov't officials repsonsible, fix the mess that led to the GFC etc etc...I was more or less pointing out that if we are myopic in our views we cannot take stock and realize the good we do have it. It is hard sometimes for someone who was born in the US to realize how much we simply take for granted (ask any recent immigrant from war torn countries or very oppressive regimes about their experiences and what they can and cannot do etc etc).
I should point out that my comment is simply about perspective, not complacency. Of course we should strive to fix and hold gov't officials repsonsible, fix the mess that led to the GFC etc etc...I was more or less pointing out that if we are myopic in our views we cannot take stock and realize the good we do have it. It is hard sometimes for someone who was born in the US to realize how much we simply take for granted (ask any recent immigrant from war torn countries or very oppressive regimes about their experiences and what they can and cannot do etc etc).