This is a good topic.
The United States has many problems and challenges that are structural. We have millions of people living in relative poverty. Millions of people are without healthcare and a growing class are becoming the working poor. Education, healthcare, traffic, pollution, and many more of these types of issues are challenges faced by local, state and the federal gov't. There is a great divide between the rich and poor and the divide is growing. We have a shrinking middle class as we are heading towards the two extremes. And, still, we have as a whole, one of the highest standards of living in the world. People in many other countries want to visit the US, they want the MickeyDs, Disneyland, movie, tv shows, fashion, etc. Many people strive to achieve our standard of living through the consumption of "our culture."
Think about culture in terms of global economics.
The US has lost the battle in manufacturing supremacy to cheap labor countries. We cannot compete against 10 dollars a day, no benefits, and few labor and environmental laws. These manufacturing jobs will most likely not come back. Culture is our currency. Culture is what we are exporting. Movies, books, music, tv shows, starbucks, blue jeans, fashion, Mickey Mouse. Imagine what our exploding trade deficits (our balance of trade) would be if we did not export our ideas - our materialism and our idealism.
Here is a radical concept - can hegemony lead to harmony? People that believe they are more alike than they are different are less likely to want to harm each other. Can we win the battle of ideas? Can we, with our culture, influence, sway and "win over" those that are ambivalent or even hate the United States? We cannot, of course, simply impose our culture or beliefs on others .... but I believe the battle of ideas is the greatest challenge we face globally.
American encroachment and cultural influence into other countries is at once both sought after and reviled. Our disposable society is attacked for our materialism. No doubt that is what the OP is lamenting. But I would argue that when Coca Cola has a near 100% name recognition in almost every part of the world, we have a foothold to do something, to spread our ideas and ideals.
This is not a black and white issue because there are so many facets to this influence. I don't pretend to have the answers. But, I do believe, the issue will continue to grow in importance as technology makes the world more connected and more interdependent.