The Impertinent American Citizen

Yesterday I went shopping to pick up some gumbo to make for dinner.  I went to the self-check out line, you know the ones that you have to press buttons and follow directions, well there was a man there that did not know how to use the self-checkout station.  He stood there pressing the button to allow him to start scanning and the screen would not advance so that he could scan his products for purchase.  He tried numerous times over the course of 2 minutes, however he could not get that button to move him to the next screen...he glanced over to the check-out guy in anger, he almost shouted out something to the check-out guy but in a second thought he decided to give it another go.  He stood there pathetically trying to scan items when the scanner was not activated, he shuffled his feet, and his face got red.  Finally, after about 5 minutes he had mustered enough strength to ask for the check-out guy for help.

When did we, as Americans, stand around and get angry for our own ignorance?  Do we just think that information should just be handed to us or somebody should know that we are having a hard time?  At the first hit of our own ignorance do we get angry or should we gain the information needed to accomplish the job?  Why are we settling to be a class of citizens that at any sign of vulnerability we get angry or put our tails between our legs?  Don't get me wrong I have compassion for my fellow man...but it only fuels the fire to those nay-sayers about America not being the greatest nation and superpower in the next decade.  Are we breeding our citizens for doom?