Yes, writers, scholars, artists -- I noticed that you didn't mention politicians or government leaders, and there's good reason. When we Americans criticize "America," we are criticizing the asses-of-evil who somehow get elected to represent those of us whom they don't represent. The spirit of American flourishes not in its government and economic leaders, but in its writers, scholars, artists..... all of those with no power but the power of their ideas. Thank god (or, as I prefer to say, the goddess) for them!