Why are so many people in the US so incompetent, lazy, and self-entitled?

I've always been the kind of person who meets every challenge on time and above expectations. This is how EVERYONE works where I'm from, but today it seems people are no where near this. It amazes me why unemployment is not 90% and not because of the economy, but just because people just want to come to work, drink their starbucks, post on facebook, and get away with the least amount of work they can, then they approach any new task with the attitude "what's in it for me?" I don't understand these new trends, and frankly it concerns me greatly. I think 1/4 of the hours people put in they spend on their iphone or computer posting on facebook, and considering I'm talking about a company name in every home, I have to assume this is going on everywhere.

It feels like the work ethics of Americans has cancer to be honest.

Added (1). ***I didn't say everyone, I said it is a growing cancer. Cancer isn't every cell in the body, it is a small group that grows and ends up killing all the good cells in the end. It's called an analogy, look it up.

Added (2). "they are still considered an economic giant this days" Actually no, America is now the largest debtor nation in history. China is the economic giant these days.

This could be the most stereotypical question I've read. I know not all Americans are like this. I actually know a lot very hardworking Americans. This question is ridiculous.

Given that they do have less than sterling work ethics, but the fact remains that they are still considered an economic giant this days. Most of the world's economy is still very dependent on the almighty amurcan dollah'.so maybe in time if they be consistent with their incompetence and nonchalance they will wake up to find they're no longer the top dog in the 'hood. But for now, they're still an economic force to be reckoned with.

You did not say "growing" at all.

There are always people who are lazy, incompetent and self-entitled, but not just in America.

The entitlement generation. They think everything in life should be free and just live off the government. Unfortunately most of them have a long life ahead of them.