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Yuri Kruman's avatar

Great analysis, as always, Erik. This resonates strongly for an immigrant to America 30 years ago, then again to Israel last year. Similar problem here, although of a slightly different variety. While my family and I are inherently grateful to have left Soviet Russia for massive opportunity in the U.S., far too many of my elite-formed classmates in college and then law school were busy bashing and biting the hand that fed and clothed and educated them. Alas.

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Bridget Boren's avatar

Wonderful piece! Thank you for broaching this big topic. It’s still surprising to see how much backlash people can receive for simply voicing their appreciation for American virtues and democracy.

In addition to the points you made, I’d also add that our media has been a prime contributor to oikophobia. Many people raised on Disney movies come to believe that life should be easy and someone will always come rescue them. As they grow up and struggle to find the mythical easy life, many turn their blame and anger toward their country, as if America somehow reneged on some imagined guarantee. To your point on ‘weak men creating bad times’… when we’re no longer in touch with the true difficulties and hardships of life, entitlement and anger insidiously seep into society.

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