I see these situations as people being forced to confront the trade-offs between Equality and Freedom. The prevailing sense in America is that Freedom is the m

I see these situations as people being forced to confront the trade-offs between Equality and Freedom. The prevailing sense in America is that Freedom is the most important value, and that Equality is pretty important too. However, attaining Equality often involves infringing on Freedom and vice-versa. Maximizing economic freedom is one of the core principles of America, which has resulted in amazing wealth and technology, but also means that Equality is inevitably de-emphasized - we have to accept that. The OP thinks that this is a problem, and that Americans should become more local. However, he fails to realize that America is made up of people who were fed up with staying local. That is why they packed up their bags, left their jobs, friends and family and traveled far to come live here. Why would their offspring be any different?