Why don't Americans personally work harder to achieve more rather than blame the government for their woes?

Opportunity abounds for every able body willing to work hard, be responsible and make sacrifices. Instead, I see a bunch of people blaming the government or the Republicans or the these people or that group or whatever. So many people put themselves into a financial crisis by over-extending themselves financially, then want to say the breakdown in the economy and ther financial problems are caused by someone else.