I disagree, partially, with charging culture to blame, as there always has been a degree of expository and/or entertainment involving violence & death in cultures throughout history (perhaps out of a need for individuals to cope with the ultimate unknown that is death). Then again, Statism has been around for a while as well.
However, it would be in the State’s interest to encourage a culture of coercion & a conflict view of society, both of which I think infiltrates culture of various nations (especially the USA) at every level possible.
For example, one can take the movie Resevior Dogs has largely glorying coercive violence or one can take the eventual outcome of the movie as an expository on the almost futile & destructive nature of said coercive violence.
Recently, there was an excellent article at LRC regarding the conflict view of society in the U.S. that sort of relates to what I’m talking about: http://www.lewrockwell.com/rockwell/barriers-broken.html.
As for the pocketbook remark, this is sadly & easily obfuscated with the myth / half-truth of WWII revving up the economy & ending the previous poverty of the Great Depression (half-truth, since we already had a war-based economy, but yea).
As for being anti-American: poppycock, I say. Many Founding Fathers would be called “anti” American nowadays, by the leering idiots who cheer for their political teams like a hot day in the football stadium, then line up at the polls like they’re winning a lottery ticket.
Recently, with a dreadful conversation with relatives over Election-Day, I was called “anti-american” for essentially “not picking a side”, & criticizing everything else everyone had to say.
Truly one of the most disgusted moments (personally) this country has brought me so far.
