>> We have become very lazy in our English. We should call it American b/c it certainly isn't proper English.
I met a lady from India once, and she seemed to have trouble following American English. So I started paying attention to my pronunciation and grammar. Immediately she asked me if I had grown up in England, since i could speak English understandably.
I've noticed that some English TV shows represent an American accent as being pretty much a speech impediment. To realize that they are supposed to be Americans, you have to notice the flashy, loud clothing and crass, boorish manners.