The Death of American Values - 827 Words

In his essay â€Å"A fire in the basement† Bob Herbert gives many examples that ultimately ask â€Å"what has happened to the American values of freedom, justice, opportunity and equality that separated us from other nations?† Herbert says that our society no longer cares to uphold these once fundamental values. Herbert declares that, â€Å"If I had one wish for this country it would be for leadership that would arouse the consciousness of the masses to the deceit and injustice all around them†(402) It’s obvious that Herbert is distraught by the current condition of our nation’s value system. And I must agree that we have lost sight of what really matters in today’s society and that we need a leader who will lead the people of this nation out of the†¦show more content†¦Herbert no long has this optimistic feeling as he travels the country, and neither do I. The general feeling I get of this nation is decline, we have been under the i mpression that we are the greatest country on earth for so long; that it took us too long to realize what a detrimental turn our nation had taken. The transition was gradual enough that we didn’t notice till it was completed and the wealthy took over with only one goal: keep the wealthy, wealthy. â€Å"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have too much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little†(399). Herbert uses this quotation by Franklin Roosevelt to show that the United States as a country is losing its way. He goes on to describe the disparage of wealth and income in the United States with the image of a group of homeless men huddling to keep warm, across the street there is a very high end shopping center offering chocolate for $62 a pound and selling fountain pens for $102,000. Herbert compares today’s CEO’s earning salaries 400 to 500 times the income of the average workers to the barons and serfs of the Gilded Age. Herbert is appalled by the condition of this country, and the fact that for many young Americans the only opportunity for a better life includes riskingShow MoreRelatedEssay On The Death Of American Values In Service1060 Words   |  5 PagesThe Death of American Values in Service Back in 1966, the United States established that tipping services should have a set minimum wage; it was held at 50% of the current minimum wage at the time. In 1991, when minimum wage was $4.25, tipping wage was at $2.13, and (Stuart 2) the wage has not changed since. 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