Cynicism and the Evolution of the American Dream

Today we face America's most terrifying enemy ever: an indigenous insurgent army made up of millions of our own citizens. We snipe at each other from behind impregnable barricades of cynicism, mocking efforts to move ahead and scoffing at once-cherished national ideals. Diverse and resourceful warriors, we wield our cynicism as both sword and shield. "We have met the enemy, and they are us."

Still, what does cynicism really mean? The term is tossed about so carelessly these days that it may ...