Economy

however, I believe that is also a product of the 1980's and years since "greed is good" theme which has been pounded into our heads, while all along the wealthy have been working diligently on the return of their version of the Gilded Age.

I think overall Americans are a generous people, but having to run your life at a constant warp factor 8, just to get by while watching you household fall farther and farther behind leaves less and less time to be charitable (or even civil) as we too often see.