New America Analysis

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Do you agree with Gottfried’s claim that the “new America we see on the road now has the mentality of a hoodlum and the backbone of a coward”? No, I do not agree with Mr. Gottfried’s claim pertaining to America’s cowardly mobile hoodlums. Martin Gottfried’s essay uses three incidents that he personally observed to present the case that Americans are a lawless bunch that exist in a moral relativism universe – “what is good for me is the law I follow”. Granted, there seems to be an infinite supply of these “cowardly hoodlums”, but in reality, they make up a small percentage of the American population. The author paints this type of Road Rambo (Gottfried, 20??) with a very large brush. An example of this broad stroke: “there has recently…show more content…
The potential for machismo, or for that matter, machisma (sic) behavior can be fueled by a diverse range of stimuli: chemical substances, level of emotional maturity, stress and a possible medical condition, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, where the person expressions uncontrollable anger no matter what the situation at hand. What conclusions can you draw about those who engage in such behavior? Humans are social animals and over the eons, a number of behavioral standards have been established to maintain order within a society. Most cultures adhere to these principles. However, humans also possess free will and they have the capacity to make the right or wrong choice when it comes to their behavior. America is a diverse country with a complex and dynamic culture that is relatively open and tolerant. Americans who reject common behavioral standards can exploit this level of leniency. Outside of serious criminal actions, this boorish behavior will continue since the individual feels no restrains on this conduct, he or she will continue this
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