Irresponsible Americans
by Joel S. Hirschhorn
(Swans - October 8, 2007) Plagued by intellectual curiosity, I often ask why so many people believe, think, or act in baffling and irresponsible ways. Personal irresponsible behavior harms the individual. Civic irresponsible behavior harms US society and government. The epidemic proportions of the first type, driven by business interests only concerned with making more money, have expanded the second behavior, driven by political interests intent on maintaining their clout (by serving the business interests), even if it means damaging American democracy.

Irresponsible behavior flourishes despite attempts to inform, educate, and persuade people to change it. Such behavior is seen subjectively as acceptable, logical, and reasonable. It is justified and reinforced systematically by myriad social and cultural forces. This explains why experience shows us how difficult it is to erase irresponsible behavior, even when attempts come from parents, spouses, friends, physicians, counselors, and teachers.
Personal Irresponsibility
Some examples of personal irresponsible behavior: Why do so many people still smoke cigarettes despite all the evidence of their health risk? Why do so many refuse to use seat belts in their cars despite their clear benefit? Why do so many drive when drunk, high on illegal drugs, or distracted by using cell phones? Why do so many eat large quantities of fat and sugar-rich foods (or allowing their children to do so) knowing that they make people overweight and unhealthy?
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