The media caters to the lowest common denominator , violence sells so thats what they show , a sensationalist public wants grief so they can look at thier own lives and think "aren't I lucky".
Goverment is a generalisation and easy target but until someone comes up with a better alternative we are stuck with them, in the defence of them I have to say that not everything they do is negative but the biggest problem in this world is hypocrisy.
As for the US goverment , IMO the problem stems from foriegn policy and the need to police everyone and everything.
I can think of two things that apply
1 Clean up your own backyard before you go around telling others how to sort out thier shit.
2 You get what you give and shit will always come back on you.