The human race is cruel. Not just Americans. Think of the Taliban, the Nazis, the Khmer Rouge, even the Mongols. We have a choice to treat others as we would wish to be treated ourselves. It's all about free will. Not about religous or political beliefs.

I have worked in the non profit world my whole life and I have come across amazing people who have, through their careers accomplished extraordinary things for their communities.

One cannot generalize based on one single incident which you witnessed. What can be generalized about are political and economic systems. Right now we have a bunch of white male and female politicians in our country who are destroying the very fabric of decency and humanity. Despite massive failures such as the one we are currently witnessing in Afghanistan, the Democrats do want universal health care, universal child care, better minimum wages, and equal voting rights for black and brown people.

Had such an incident as you describe happened outside our local supermarket called Teds in Hebron, I have no doubt that many people would have assisted including the owners. We also know many of the members of our volunteer fire department and police, so I am sure they would have pitched in. They are our neighbors.

But you see I live in Connecticut and for the most part we are a progressive, forward looking State. Even my Republican neighbors are kind and thoughtful on a personal level. When my husband was in hospital they brought food, and cleared our driveway after trees fell in a big storm. As for their politics we've had many arguments, and its mainly over gun rights, since they're all hunters and eco-friendly folks.

I greatly feel your despair around the overriding elements of American culture, but don't give up on those of use who live here, and who despite everything still want to make America a better country.