Living in one country and working in another allows me the opportunity to study two cultures up close in several different ways.  People raised in Mexico view and handle things differently than they do in the United States. The social fabric south of The Wall of Shame is not the same as that which exists to the north. 
There is a stress level in the USA that I don't feel when I'm in Mexico. Americans these days are so involved in the rat race that they can't stop and smell the roses. I wash dishes all night long in Pacific Beach but in the morning I go downtown. I post up at the civic center or walk around that general area. I keep my mouth shut and my ears open. What I hear is misery. A lot of complaining, whining and a general feeling of frustration.
There are two main groups downtown during the day. Those commuting to work from outside the area and the unemployed transients, who call the concrete monoliths to misguided power, home. Many of the area's workers have gained a sort of cockiness since the collapse of the Occupy movement in San Diego. The movement had instilled a feeling of hope and self worth in the homeless that those in power felt threatened by (But that's another story). It definitely adds to the uneasy tension that already exists between the two groups.
In the USA these days and the world in general, regular folks have it pretty tough. In my fifty years of living on this violent orb that is our mother ship I have never seen it so bad. All the more reason why the real leaders of our society and not the career politicians should step up. But I don't see it happening.
Mexican folks on the other hand have little faith whatsoever in their politicians(Unless they benefit directly).  They don't rely on them nearly as much to solve society's problems. Neighborhoods excel at a local level because of grass roots organizations and sound community leaders. It should be the same in the USA. Once upon a time I think it was. 
I'm not trying to say that one culture is superior to another. What I'm trying to say is we all have something to share. Be it an individual or a nation. But if you think you're superior to that individual or nation you're gonna miss out on a thing or two. 
As a history major I know that all great empires crumble. As a dishwasher I know that one man can't do much to change the world. As a human being, a father and grandfather, I know that I will never stop trying. It's why I write. 
                                           "Coffee's Ready, Gotta Go...!!!"