Why Accents are Glorified Speech Impediments??

Why do people think that accents are an impediment? I realize that most people just want to fit in, but honestly. I know a lot of people who aren't from around these parts who think that if they don't speak English with a typically Northern-American accent they won't be taken seriously, which is silly. Most English-speakers don't have a northern-American accent, in fact, we are in the minority. Percentage-wise, I'd be suprised if the majority of people that are capable of speaking English are even from primarily English-speaking nations (just consider the number of Germans, Swedes, Indians, Chinese, etc. that are capable of speaking English), and even with that considered, the majority of English-speaking individuals from nations where English is their first spoken language aren't from here.
Secondly, accents are what makes the world diverse. Do you know how boring it is living in a place where everyone sounds EXACTLY like you? Sure, you do. I love hearing the occasional Brit, Australian, or Scot speak. Even going to the southern states in the U.S. is a nice change of pace.I hate when I hear someone teased because their English isn't perfect, especially when it's their second or third language. Most of the 'people' (and I use the term losely) who tease them can't speak a bit of English themselves, and it's their first language!
Do you know how difficult it is for someone to speak a second language? You should be praising them for bothering to learn your native language, not teasing them because they've still got remnants of their first language in their inflection.You shouldn't be changing or quelling your accent to please others, or to stimulate business, you should be proud that your accent makes you different than 99% of the world's population.