I think that frames a fair question - what creates our values and what changes them? We sometimes say that an issue requires leadership - we're really substituting leadership for attention in that sense. In truth a leader leads regardless of the issue. This should certainly be true of political leadership which impacts us on so many levels.

We can't approach social apathy (Individualism ??) from a mono-causal relationship. It is correct to point out social deficiencies in America's youth, but I don't think its written in stone. However, if we can say that society changed one way (for the worse), then we should be able to say that unless there is some physical impediment, we should be able to say society can change again (for the better). What is needed is the will to do so. This is where leadership is critical. The ability for a leader to recognize the problem and the causes of the problem, and then lead in finding and applying a solution is what leadership is all about.

We have a diverse population. We must find a way to invigorate our national identity and build strength in that amongst our pluralism so that there is a valid, attractive alternative to individualism taken too far. We must re-build inclusive groups at the local and national level. Right now we are probably too exclusive - look at how we constrain ourselves to specific groups, parties, views, etc - we even name TV shows to express it - "The View" - and when we get mad at the other person's view - we quit. We have taken our pursuit of individual freedoms to a point where we have difficulty building consensus. We don't need to strip those freedoms, but we do need to convince ourselves its OK to both value your freedom and compromise on issues that must be addressed to perpetuate a cohesive society that groups like AQ and other threats seek to undermine. We must convince ourselves that a cohesive, pluralistic society is a benefit and not a burden, that it requires participation to function, and that it will not mend itself - its not a self-healing server.