I've felt this same way my whole life. Personally, I think the reason is because the US has become an absurd plurality, and as such, no one is getting any kind of representation from the massive centralized Govt. which does it's best to please everyone, but ends up pleasing no one. A previous commenter brought up how people once thought poorly about the Irish, but there is a huge difference there. All the immigrants that came to the US in the early part of the 1900's were from Europe, and as such, they all had a common cultural thread that ran between them in the form of similar expectations from their Govt. Today, we're seeing a plurality on the size and scope that NO Govt. can satisfy. You simply cannot squeeze everyone under one tent. It's not fair to anyone, and it will result in the kinds of bitterness and apathy we're seeing in this country today. People of different races, sexual orientations, cultures, and religions all need a Govt. that is geared towards their own personal issues. That's why you see so many Nations of the world as homogeneous, and who's Govt. caters to the dominant native ethnic group. That's not a bad thing!! That's called getting things done! The current situation here in the US is called gridlock, and it's the best we can ever expect from a massive plurality who won't compromise with one another and who all demand equal representation.