The argument that hard work is just a story is deeply offensive to me. Social mobility in the US is one of the highest it has ever been in history. AND this social mobility is non-violent! This has NEVER happened before in human history. Just think about that for a minute before you get on that soap box again.
Look at the crop of "new money" rich that technology has produced. Why? Hard work and value creation. Instagram may not be value in the sense of gold bricks, but the connections it created surpass most communication mediums in history. Still think it's just a photo app?
Sure, things aren't great right now. American exceptionalism and infectious optimism aren't what they used to be. Many of us are downright embarrassed by the current political situation. Forget that, I'm mortified by the disregard for the rule of law. But that doesn't mean we should take our proverbial ball and go home.
Hard work has made an incredible difference for me and my family in several generations, spanning Soviet Union and now US. No rhetoric can take that away from us.
What concerns me most, is that you seem to lack respect for your own work. I sincerely hope you find that respect. If you do not value your own work, how can others? How can you respect your trade? Your peers accomplishments?