Civilization decline

Recently I noted that the state of Florida education system was a troubling symptom of our society, then that corporations were a troubling symptom of world economy. Well, the lack of a viable educational system is a troubling symptom of our civilization.
This country has grown to be the greatest nation the world has ever seen. Not that we are superior, but that previous generations had overcome significant human flaws for 300 years to provide God-given alienable rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Our federal government eventually passed laws to eliminate the exploitation of the masses (minority groups,) starting with the original occupants of this land, the American Indians.
By the 20th century most of the people in the U.S. had rights, but they were hard fought rights: The right to work for a decent wage, to equality in law, to vote, to marry, to fight against disease, etc. The people, their representatives and government had compiled an extraordinary array of laws, traditions and policies to develop the most advanced nation on earth. We as a nation set out to help the peoples of the world to achieve the same goals; again, a noble goal.
However what has changed? We, the people and our government (equated with corporate America) have changed. Our society has changed and our culture. Our national family values have been diminished; our corporate government has served the rich and powerful and neglected its people. We the people have put ourselves, individually ahead of our communities and nation. We can blame our government and corporations but we must not deny our own culpability..
Gabriel Read
Avon Park