Valuing hard work is not US exclusive, many eastern cultures pride themselves on hard work and contribution to community over self-centered obsession over rewards

I agree. A lot of times hard work is a good un-to-itself, and more so when helping others, or community.

I think this thread was more about widgets.

Why would people work hard, go above and beyond, so their company can ship 0.007% more widgets this quarter, or improve efficiency 0.02%. When they will not be paid/rewarded any more than the slacker next to them. The people that do have that 'work' ethic, seem to be getting taken advantage of by the employer.