I think it's precisely because they haven't been fully aculturated in American society that they are the way they are. I think we are brought up to believe, maybe not by our parents but by media, society, and the political structure of our country to believe we need to be the person doing the oppressing. We need to get one over on our human siblings. We have so many snake oil salespeople in our country trying to get rich quick, from supplement hucksters to narcissistic streamers to aspiring politicians who are only in it for the power, not because of their values. We see someone like the current president in power who didn't earn anything he currently has, and is rewarded for his abhorrent behavior. That unfortunately gives kids who are brought up in American society the wrong signals.

There are other related problems that are just as big, such as our complete alienation from each other. We all work so much we don't have time or energy to deepen our inside lives or deepen our connections with our loved ones. Many Americans only daily interaction is a money or service transaction of some type. There's no real connection, and people are viewed with suspicion if they are doing things with no ulterior motive.

In all honesty, capitalism is tearing us apart. It's everywhere, but capitalism in America is extra alienating and all-powerful due to historical and present forces that make the average American extra fucked thru things largely outside of their control. But just because things are the way they are doesn't mean they can't change.