don't mean to hijack the thread or anything, but that is a garbage thing to say. if you "hate" to use the term negatively, then don't use it that way. there are any number of descriptors you could have used to have gotten your point across. just because YOU are spoiled rotten and haven't done jack doesn't mean that those traits are "American".
sorry. that one REALLY rubbed me the wrong way. talk amongst yourselves...