You are correct that when the gap is to wide a culture will die. Also when the have not's take from the have's to the point of eliminating their desire to grow, a culture will die. I believe almost everyone wants to help those who can't take care of themselves. The US is the most giving country in the world. To charity, to other nations, to it's own people. What people get upset about is giving to those who are able, but not willing to help themselves and expect the handout. When we see mortgage assistance given to those who lied on the application, food stamps that are traded for beer and cigarettes, and mothers having more babies for the sole purpose of getting a larger welfare check the have's have had enough. And that will cause a revolution. As will people starving. Balance is the key. Finding it, managing it, and preventing it being abused is the challenge.

As to values. I think you have to look at how people were raised and what their parents taught them. I grew up very poor on a small farm in NH. Had to work very hard since I was 10 years old and still working 50 + years later. Had to pay my own way through college. Had to work summers, nights, and go to a state university. Every thing I have I earned through my own hard work, saving, working two jobs, investing, and doing without things others may have had. And I am sure many others on TOTV have done the same things. I have also been very generous to those I see who need help. But when I see some of the outright abuse of the system and people who believe they deserve something for nothing only because someone else has it, I get very angry.

I will go out of my way to help anyone who is trying to help themselves. Give them my time, money, help, knowledge, and have a long history of doing it. I hire a lot of people in my work and I have special programs to hire handicap workers. They make some of the best employees as they really want a job. They want to pay taxes. They want the right to be fired. Most don't want a hand out, they want the chance to earn a living.

So peoples value system is a long time being built and grows as you grow. It shapes your political beliefs, your social engagements, your work ethic and your life in general.