I do think that there is a problem with dedication and athlete's attitudes and I know it's in all sports, not just cheerleading. It is really hard when you have the cheerleaders that are extremely dedicated on a team with others that only seem to do cheer for who knows what reason. I really hate when they don't ever try to get better until they get replaced in a position.
As for crazy cheer parents, I think every gym has at least a couple that create drama and problems that don't actually exist. I always remind myself that they are the minority and most of the other parents are happy and blissfully unaware of what those few parents say. I am a team mom and I now just answer questions that I know won't end well with a simple "I don't know" answer or ask the coach or owner. They usually never want to ask them.