--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We live in a country that used to have a…" description: "\"We live in a country that used to have a can-do attitude, and now we have a 'what-can-you-do-for-me?' attitude, and what I try to do is find ways that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/benjamin-carson-955_attitude_we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a_1481343.png" --- # We live in a country that used to have a can-do attitude… ![“We live in a country that used to have a can-do attitude, and now we have a 'what-can-you-do-for-me?' attitude, and what I try to do is find ways that we can develop common ground.” quote by Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/benjamin-carson-955_attitude_we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a_1481343.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/benjamin-carson-955_attitude_we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a_1481343.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/benjamin-carson-955_attitude_we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a_1481343.png) > “We live in a country that used to have a can-do attitude, and now we have a 'what-can-you-do-for-me?' attitude, and what I try to do is find ways that we can develop common ground.” [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He notes a shift from a proactive to a self‑serving mindset and urges seeking shared interests to bridge division. **In simple terms:** People have become more self‑centered; we need common ground. Key Takeaway Find and build common ground. Themes collaboration mindset politics social cohesion Mood concerned hopeful Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - political debates - community meetings - team projects - negotiations Key Concepts self‑interest collectivism dialogue Questions to Reflect On - How can we encourage a culture of mutual benefit? - What incentives promote collaborative attitudes? A Different Perspective Changing attitudes may be deeply rooted and resist quick fixes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Common ground](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-ground/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) ## Related quotes > [I'm going to try to enjoy the All-Star break, hope my players reflect on what happened the first half of the season, come back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-baylor/i-m-going-to-try-to-enjoy-the-all-star-break-hope-my-players-reflect/) [Don Baylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-baylor/) > [I have tried to treat people on the other side civilly and look for common ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-klobuchar/i-have-tried-to-treat-people-on-the-other-side-civilly-and-look-for/) [Amy Klobuchar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-klobuchar/) > [I think it is possible to meet people in the middle, to have a discussion even though you may not agree on solutions, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-judge/i-think-it-is-possible-to-meet-people-in-the-middle-to-have-a/) [Patty Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-judge/) > [Stories are the common ground that allow people to connect, despite all our defences and all our differences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-forsyth/stories-are-the-common-ground-that-allow-people-to-connect-despite/) [Kate Forsyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-forsyth/) > [If someone's personality is 'punch an Asian grandma,' it's not a dialogue. I have an Asian grandma. You want to punch her? There ain't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bowen-yang/if-someone-s-personality-is-punch-an-asian-grandma-it-s-not-a/) [Bowen Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bowen-yang/) > [My message to Washington is the United States has gone through incredible crises, and our leaders have been able to find common ground. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-chenault/my-message-to-washington-is-the-united-states-has-gone-through/) [Kenneth Chenault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-chenault/) > [Obama was the first president whose biography makes sense to me. He can walk into a room anywhere and find common ground with any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-messud/obama-was-the-first-president-whose-biography-makes-sense-to-me-he/) [Claire Messud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-messud/) > [If you have a girlfriend who is a fellow divorcee, you share a lot of common ground because you've been through the same things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinsley-mortimer/if-you-have-a-girlfriend-who-is-a-fellow-divorcee-you-share-a-lot-of/) [Tinsley Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinsley-mortimer/) > [Hawks and doves have long found common ground opposing the spread of nuclear weapons to non-nuclear states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shellenberger/hawks-and-doves-have-long-found-common-ground-opposing-the-spread-of/) [Michael Shellenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shellenberger/) > [Tech companies are distracting, dividing and outraging citizens to the point where there is little basis for common ground. This is a direct threat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/tech-companies-are-distracting-dividing-and-outraging-citizens-to-the/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [I've always found that if you listen to people you can find common ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-smith/i-ve-always-found-that-if-you-listen-to-people-you-can-find-common/) [Tina Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-smith/) > [Passionately defending one's principles is crucial. Representing your district is fundamental. But refusing to entertain the common ground - with no other cost but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/passionately-defending-one-s-principles-is-crucial-representing-your/) [Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/) > [A family is too frail a vessel to contain the risks of all the warring impulses expressed when such a group meets on common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-conroy/a-family-is-too-frail-a-vessel-to-contain-the-risks-of-all-the/) [Pat Conroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-conroy/) > [But when we're helping children understand how people from different walks of life can coexist, prioritizing common ground too often obscures or erases uncommon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meena-harris/but-when-we-re-helping-children-understand-how-people-from-different/) [Meena Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meena-harris/) > [Since my first day in Congress, it's been my top priority to find common ground so we can deliver real results for Texans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-allred/since-my-first-day-in-congress-it-s-been-my-top-priority-to-find/) [Colin Allred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-allred/) ## More by Benjamin Carson > [We have a war on women, race wars. Income wars, age wars, religious wars, anything you can imagine. A house divided against itself cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/we-have-a-war-on-women-race-wars-income-wars-age-wars-religious-wars/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [When I look at the human brain I'm still in awe of it. Every single time you lift off the bone and open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/when-i-look-at-the-human-brain-i-m-still-in-awe-of-it-every-single/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [I do not want to get rid of the safety net, I want to get rid of dependency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/i-do-not-want-to-get-rid-of-the-safety-net-i-want-to-get-rid-of/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [Even if somebody disagrees with you, their life is still valuable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/even-if-somebody-disagrees-with-you-their-life-is-still-valuable/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [No matter who you are,no matter what you do-do not be too big for GOD.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/no-matter-who-you-are-no-matter-what-you-do-do-not-be-too-big-for-god/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [I want the government to provide the military so we don't get invaded by somebody and destroyed. I want the government to provide the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/i-want-the-government-to-provide-the-military-so-we-don-t-get-invaded/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [Our schools too often want to shut people up so they can't talk about real solutions. People who think differently tend to clam up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/our-schools-too-often-want-to-shut-people-up-so-they-can-t-talk-about/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [If you're a Christian and you're running for president and you want to make this into a theocracy, I'm not going to support you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/if-you-re-a-christian-and-you-re-running-for-president-and-you-want/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [I don't want my kids to grow up with no father like I did. I came to the conclusion a while ago that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/i-don-t-want-my-kids-to-grow-up-with-no-father-like-i-did-i-came-to/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [Uninformed people can be easily manipulated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/uninformed-people-can-be-easily-manipulated/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [The left, of course, will say Carson doesn't believe in the Geneva Convention, Carson doesn't believe in fighting stupid wars. And - and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/the-left-of-course-will-say-carson-doesn-t-believe-in-the-geneva/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [I don't worry about things that aren't important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/i-don-t-worry-about-things-that-aren-t-important/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [Surrendering to fear and allowing ourselves to be paralyzed by peril isn't something most of us can afford to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/surrendering-to-fear-and-allowing-ourselves-to-be-paralyzed-by-peril/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [I said Ted Cruz has been lying because if you say something that isn't true, and you say it over and over again, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/i-said-ted-cruz-has-been-lying-because-if-you-say-something-that-isn/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [Whoever wins in 2016, I'm pretty sure it's going to be a Republican, I think they should make it their goal to seal that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/whoever-wins-in-2016-i-m-pretty-sure-it-s-going-to-be-a-republican-i/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) [Explore all 321 Benjamin Carson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We live in a country that used to have a can-do attitude, and now we have a 'what-can-you-do-for-me?' attitude, and what I try to do is find ways that we can develop common ground.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Benjamin Carson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a-can-do-attitude-and-now-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a-can-do-attitude-and-now-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/benjamin-carson-955_attitude_we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a_1481343.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/benjamin-carson-955_attitude_we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a_1481343.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3b/benjamin-carson-955_attitude_we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a_1481343.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We live in a country that used to have a can-do attitude, and now we have a 'what-can-you-do-for-me?'…” — Benjamin Carson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Benjamin Carson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We live in a country that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a-can-do-attitude-and-now-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/we-live-in-a-country-that-used-to-have-a-can-do-attitude-and-now-we/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```