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Made in the USA: Spoiled brats

Quote:

Posted: November 20, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way. Oh what a mean man I am. The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did … insane!

Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:

''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.''

I suggest this Thanksgiving we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=53028

I think this could apply to most countries citizens. :yep:

Kind of puts our lives into perspective, doesn't it?

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Originally Posted by waste gate

Kind of puts our lives into perspective, doesn't it?

You might say that. You, living in America are probably in the top 2% of the richest people in the world, including if you are simply middle class. If you have a 6 digit household income, you are in the top 0.2% or even better of the entire world population. So why is it that we are complaining exactly? We have everything already. There is no more. You may not have a Ferrari in the driveway, but by no means, nothing is stopping you from getting one if you put your mind to it. So what exactly is the problem?

I like to tell myself this when I see someone that has more than me. When you analyze it, they really don't have much more than me unless they are Bill Gates, but even he doesn't spend as much money as one would think.

-S

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Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Quote:

Originally Posted by waste gate

Kind of puts our lives into perspective, doesn't it?

I try to go with this:

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
-Desiderata

No matter how much you have you will always want more. It's human nature.

You become accustomed to your living conditions and as a human you are always thinking (even subconsciously) "How can my life be easier?" "How could my life be better?" It's how we became what we are, it's the journey to infinity and beyond.

-couldn't help the last line.

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Originally Posted by Reaves

Unless of course you live under a Marxist regime. In which case no matter what you do or how hard you work to achieve your dream your lot is set for the good of the common cause.

From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
-Karl Marx

Quote:

Originally Posted by waste gate

That way of thinking would be great in a perfect world, the only problem? We're pretty far away from a perfect world. On the other hand those regimes can actually work better in areas with low population and extreme living conditions, but that's a discussion for another thread. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by waste gate

From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
-Karl Marx

But I really do need a Ferrari! :D

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Originally Posted by Reaves

I think this could apply to most countries citizens. :yep:

Go figure! :hmm:

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Originally Posted by The Avon Lady

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Originally Posted by Reaves

I think this could apply to most countries citizens. :yep:

Go figure! :hmm:

Interesting article, maybe you just get more vitamin D from the sun there.

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Originally Posted by Reaves

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Originally Posted by The Avon Lady

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaves

I think this could apply to most countries citizens. :yep:

Go figure! :hmm:

Interesting article, maybe you just get more vitamin D from the sun there.

10AM and it's already 30 celcius, going up to 35. :sunny:

I'll be indoors all day. :yep:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaves

I find it ironic that people would be so critical of the nature of American society when it seems that its a perfect example of the nature of capitalism. More more more! Surely that reality isn't lost on all you folks.

Personally I think the public must always complain since we have a duty to look out for society. As citizens we need to be responsible for our collective future. That, if I am not incorrect, is the principle of Democracy. But if its just bitching about how middle class life in the 'burbs isn't good enough then those people really can go suck a railroad spike.

True to true.
We Americans have more to be thankful for than most countries...
But... We have forgotten how to be thankful. and most importantly who to be thankful to.

:sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

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Originally Posted by P_Funk

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Originally Posted by Reaves

Sorry about correcting you but....

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Originally Posted by Reaves

I think this could apply to most countries citizens. :yep:

I wasn't talking about America... It was a comment about the nature of human beings. It sums up our strive for new technologies. We are constantly seeking an easier way to do things, better ways to stay alive... human nature...