What a load of crap. I live in Australia, and Mr. Rogers was never broadcast here. I’ve still met people who have that poisonous “entitlement mentality” – they believe the government should give them money, and that other people should take care of them. Some people just don’t take responsibility of their own life – looking at some kids’ TV show is just looking for a scapegoat.
Also, I don’t think that the “entitlement mentality” is the message that Mr. Rogers is conveying. I think it’s a message of self-esteem. I do believe that people deserve to feel good about themselves, just for being who they are. And I don’t think that has anything to do with believing that the world should serve you gold-dusted chocolate truffles on a platter.
High self-esteem and egotism are easily confused by people who don’t know the difference. A friend of mine once phrased it very succinctly: “There’s a big difference between knowing you’re hot s**t, and thinking that you’re better than other people.” Mr. Rogers’s message was about telling people that they’re hot s**t, not about telling them they’re better than other people.