You are not off-base. Your reflections on your society are sound, and you do right in raising them for discussion. The fact that you can (and should) is part of what democracy is about. If you think something ought to be better, then why not try to engage and influence your community with your ideas? Don't leave it to the politicians (and companies) to dictate what is valuable in your country.

Easier said than done, I know, but imagine if we all actually made an effort to shape our society, and took responsibility for it.