Talking About my Generation

So I hate to, but I have to say it:
Our generation is going down the drain, and FAST.
In history class the other day, my teacher held up a cartoon, which clearly depicted George W Bush, Dick Cheney, and Condoleezza Rice. No one, except for me, was able to tell who they were, and what their positions where.
Besides the fact that the USA happens to be our neighbours, they also happen to be the most powerful country in the world, and the Bush Administrative Government is the most watched and scrutinized in the media. So why is it that 15 year olds, people that in a few years are going to be driving and voting, have no idea who one (if not THE) most powerful man in the world right now is?( I am sadly referring to Bush, although Cheney and Rice do have status, too).
Why is it that more teens in an academic class can name the most popular hip hop artist, but not the capital of Egypt? Why is it that more people care about where to shop, than what country the US is invading? And why is it that more people can name every member of G-Unit, but can't name all 4 members of the most influential pop/rock group ever: The Beatles?
Let's face it: We live in a capitalist, commercial society that cares more about Prada's fall line than the situation in Iraq. Even some of our parents are more interested in what neighbour is getting fat than what's happening politically in their own country, and the sad thing is that there seems to be no way to stop it.
I believe that yes, it is important to keep up with some popular culture so that you can relate to and have conversations with people, but I also believe that it is more important to have a firm grasp on history, politics, and world issues and relations than football scores.
So, I am asking anyone and everyone to band together, and honestly give a shit. Sure, Paris Hilton is out of jail and J-lo is pregnant, but what about the US election coming up? The possibility of the draft coming back into effect? The effects of global warming becoming more and more severe?
I can sum this up in one quote:
"20 years from now, no one is going to care what jeans you wore, where you bought your clothes, or how cool your shoes were. What IS going to matter is WHAT you learned, and what you did with it."