Can rampant individualism be the cause of our economic woes?

Your imaginary scenario is amusing, but naive and apropos of nothing. Take that bastion of socialism, Sweden. They have approximately 10 million people, 8% unemployment and an average household income of 22,000 USD, about 10,000 less than the US average. So does this do anything to make you rethink your position? Of course not, because you have an agenda, not a position.