Americans..Spoiled Brats-WE ARE THE MOST BLESSED PEOPLE ON EARTH

[BTS]

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 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 started 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 and even 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 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 ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful ass every day.



Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may 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-pro fit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way...... Insane!



Stop buying the negativism 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. WE ARE THE MOST BLESSED PEOPLE ON EARTH

[JacksDad]

See what happens when you read Newsweek?

;)

[RedGlitter]

Meanwhile some remote tribe in Africa who has no access to that stuff, has a greater sense of family and community than any other civilized country. Now that, I would call blessed. Blessings are where you look.

I don't buy into the notion that Americans are selfish brats or any of the other BS that I hear about us. We have good points and bad just like any one else.

[K.Snyder]

BTS;550351 wrote:



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 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.






Everyone pays for that through taxes...

As for the entire OP...Quite frankly you can speak for yourself.

[weeder]

We are not all ungrateful. We are aware, and we are frightened. Big refrigerators, and many of the freedoms you mentioned are not strong enough sedatives for those with eyes that look beneath the surface. We havent been attacked by terrorists again, yet, because the terrorists havent decided to attack again, yet. For every homeowner.. there is a homeless person, living on the street. I am not grateful for the young men who are going off to one war or another to die. I am sick over them having to go off to die. I would be very happy to live with a lot less, if they could stay right here and we could leave the rest of the world alone. If our president and politicians could focus on running this country. Providing the best quality of life for ALL of our people. And let the rest of the world take care of their own. As I speak, and dream... I know that that is quite impossible.

[WonderWendy3]

I'm very greatful for what I've worked hard for to obtain here in the US, and I'm also extremly greatful for the Men and Women that have served in the Military to give me the freedom I have.:guitarist

[Sweet Tooth]

BTS;550351 wrote: 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 ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful ass every day.



Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may 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.



WE ARE THE MOST BLESSED PEOPLE ON EARTH






I agree with you 110%! On every issue you brought up, I agree! It's good to see that there are people like me on this site!

[hoxtonchris]

firstly i have never been to america socan only say what the media here tells us,when we in england are fed up with our lot,crumbling health service,bad education,troops lacking equipment,we always compare it to the usa,we are led to believe that in america you go to hospital and you are seen straight away,schools fall over temselves for your childs parianage,troops get hand made uniforms and wall to wall chewing gum,we never remember that in usa there are 5times the tax payers as here,or that our island could fit in one cave in the usa,,,,no yank if you want to compete as a winging git you gotta live in england!!

[hoxtonchris]

would someone from usa please say what they feel about our conception here in england of life in usa?

[Nomad]

69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president





I think it has more to do with our young dying in a shithole and no end in sight and less to do with the Pacific Coast Hwy. No complaints there.

[RedGlitter]

hoxtonchris;554453 wrote: would someone from usa please say what they feel about our conception here in england of life in usa?


I'll try to take a stab at it, Chris.

I think it might be a bit of a stretch. We are not the "land of milk and honey" that used to be ascribed to us. We have every part of the finanacial and cultural spectrum from super rich to cat-food poor. From art snob to paint by number. Our heath care leaves a lot to be desired, especially for those who have HMOs. I don't think hospitals can turn people away but I know for sure that pregnant ladies must be seen by law.

If you have money you can get better heath care than say a lower or middle class person. Money talks here. Not always but a good part of the time. If you are an illegal alien, you can get care that a citizen would be denied. Now how is that blessed? If you need a liver and can "afford" it, you can get your liver before someone whose been in line for a long time before you.

We have people who can't afford food and clothing or even shelter. They live in boxes or under bushes. Many are mentally ill and cannot afford the $300 pills needed because thy have no money or insurance. We have nursing homes for people who want to stick Grandma there so they won't be inconvenienced by taking her on. And they are terrible homes.

America does have many benefits and material things but they are not spread out evenly at all.

Our schools are full of teachers who can't handle modern day kids (probably because the school system's efficiency is no match for modern day society) and kids who don't have regard for teachers or others. When we get out of a basic school, we still know pretty much nothing needed to succeed in life. Not even how to balance a checkbook or get a home. Teachers aren't paid what they're worth and many don't teach what they should which may be partially the school's fault.

We work for minimum wage and there's now ay to live on that so we have to have more than one job. Many people shack up with others just as a way of surviving. Yet we feed half the world and our doctors give third worlders medical care gratis.

This is my take, Chris. I'm sure if you asked a handful of Americans the same questions you'd get a handful of differing answers. It would be interesting to see what others have to say.

[hoxtonchris]

thanks red for your in depth answer,ime dissapointed inasmuch as ,you could be writing about england.we have a saying here,when america sneezes britain gets the flue,but it also means the good stuff will go over the pond too.i was hoping youd say all was pukka in america but of course i suspected it wasnt.between the 2 nations america and britain do seem to be the planets caretakers(unless ime victim to propaganda)we send aid when our own kids go short of hospital beds,we send our volunteer troops to crapholes that dont want us there,so it seems us and yous are in a mirror world ,,,oh dear!

[K.Snyder]

RedGlitter;554974 wrote:

Our schools are full of teachers who can't handle modern day kids (probably because the school system's efficiency is no match for modern day society) and kids who don't have regard for teachers or others. When we get out of a basic school, we still know pretty much nothing needed to succeed in life. Not even how to balance a checkbook or get a home. Teachers aren't paid what they're worth and many don't teach what they should which may be partially the school's fault.




I hear about our schools being poor, but to be honest, I can't help but to ask the question, "where does school come in to play, and when does the child's actual ability to learn outweigh the school systems sufficiency?"

I got D's and F's in school since about 2nd grade on up to the point that I dropped out before my junior year in high school, yet I seemed to have taken in alot what they were trying to teach me...

It wasn't that I couldn't do it, it was because I did't want to do my homework...I would rather be playing sports...I never did my homework, and never payed attention in class, yet I was extremely good at math, I know my punctuation is completely horrible, but I like to think I can write quite well...

I have a hard time placing the blame on the school system to be honest, I put more of the blame on the parents who won't take the time to spend the extra time teaching their kid what it is they feel their kid needs to be taught.

I remember transferring to a career center from my original high school after my sophomore year and upon getting there it wasn't anything I had expected...The curriculum they were trying to teach in 11th grade classes was that that I had learned two years before in 9th grade(even though I only went to school 3 days a week, and didn't do any homework), I felt unchallenged, and quite frankly, it was a little humiliating to be patronized to the point of idiocy. In that regard, I can completely understand the lack of school efficiency, but I believe myself that that can be avoided by making school more challenging, as opposed to limiting the curriculum based on a curve.

I know our graduation rate may be low, but if that percentage has anything to do with the reason I dropped out, which is in turn influencing peoples agenda pertaining to curriculum they feel is adjacent with their perceived adequacy, then they are sadly depriving the majority of kids who deserve a better education and more confidence in giving them the benefit of the doubt.

[Galbally]

I think to stand back for a minute, in all free societies such as in the U.S. the countries of Europe, Canada, Australia, etc, people ultimately have the ability to set the agenda of their countries through who they vote for, the ideas they subscribe to, and the products and services they consume. So if things are wrong or people feel unhappy or uncomfortable about something in their society it is incumbent on them to do something about it.

People in China do not have this facility, we do, and so we have no excuse except laziness and general apathy which is not an excuse. I think in America it seems that people just don't want to deal with social problems like crime and poverty because it seems to large and impossible to solve and also because of ideology. I have to say the fact that New Orleans is still utterly devastated and people down there have absolutely nothing a year after Hurricane Katriona in a country that is supposed to be so wealthy and where people are supposed to be so giving is a little sobering.

Also, as K. Synder rightly points out, many things we blame the government of the day for, our actually our own fault, particularly things like teaching our children how to be human beings. In terms of the things like health care, war, social policy, you should look carefully, very carefully at what politicians say, (and they are all good at saying the right thing at the right moment), but then look at the reality of what actually happens, and vote according to the reality not the rhetoric or the usual promises. I think most of our problems stem from laziness, over-indulgence in the self, a lack of proper concern for those in society who truly are disadvantaged (and that condescending middle class "lets be nice to the poor" is not actually that useful either), and really we prefer others to sort our problems out for us, thats why modern politicians exist and why we moan so much. Thats my tuppence.

[Galbally]

Diuretic;555098 wrote: It's about values. In America the emphasis is on the individual, not society.


Yes, its a balance and the emphasis is the main difference between societies because all human beings are individuals, yet all need some form of society in which to live, whether it be family, farm, city, friends, army, company, just other human beings with which to live with, we need that or generally we go nuts, we are not supposed to live like loners, and we can't anyway, except for a few very exceptional individuals. But if we ignore our own individuality we become inured to doing what we are told and when, i.e. slavery, albeit a subtle one.

[CrazyCruizChick]

Reading this has defiantly opened my eyes , I have never been to the US and always had an image of what it may be like over there .

I found this thread a fascinating read :-6

[hoxtonchris]

i agree,the good thing about this thread is that with encouragement we can talk of our country,honestly and constructively,when we are being verbally attacked we defend even to the point of denying truths.but if we can do it as with this thread we will see just how green or not it is in the next field.i love england,i love london even more but not all english love londoners,we can be brash,agressive,and downright rude,our children are growing up with a huge chip on their shoulder,and ime sorry to say a lot of working class kids in south east england are to be avoided at all cost.i was on a train recently going to london from essex,an american or canadian(sorry i cant hear the difference)family were sitting nearbye,from the seats behind us some kids were talking loudly the most vile ,racist,crude words it been my missfortune to hear,i felt like appologising on their behalf.ill never forget the fathers face of anguish as he had to listen to that crap...so ,,,sorry to any visitors here who should happen on similar in my country .

[OzBoy]

Maybe if 69% of Americans actually got out of their armchairs and voted their views on their country and its future might not be so pessimistic, its so easy to complain and whinge, when in reality its just as easy to get up and do something about it.

[K.Snyder]

OzBoy;556033 wrote: Maybe if 69% of Americans actually got out of their armchairs and voted their views on their country and its future might not be so pessimistic, its so easy to complain and whinge, when in reality its just as easy to get up and do something about it.


From my experience, everyone who knows anything about politics votes...

[RedGlitter]

It's easy to blame it on voting...you have to consider the crap we're forced to choose from. Most people do the "lesser of two evils" thing. Not to mention you don't *want* lazy uneducated people to vote because they won't have followed up on the campaign or the issues and they will vote stupidly which is as bad as not voting at all.

[YZGI]

Spoiled brats:

Most blessed:



I vote both. Now get off me about my voting habits.

[K.Snyder]

RedGlitter;556229 wrote: Not to mention you don't *want* lazy uneducated people to vote because they won't have followed up on the campaign or the issues and they will vote stupidly which is as bad as not voting at all.


My point exactly

[OzBoy]

K.Snyder;556322 wrote: My point exactly


So how do you describe the people who voted Bush in?

[K.Snyder]

OzBoy;556383 wrote: So how do you describe the people who voted Bush in?


Bush wasn't voted in. :wah:

No, to be serious, I think you'll find that the majority of people whom voted for Bush disapprove with the way he's running the office...

If we could get a politician to actually do what they say they're going to do when running for president, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[Galbally]

RedGlitter;556229 wrote: It's easy to blame it on voting...you have to consider the crap we're forced to choose from. Most people do the "lesser of two evils" thing. Not to mention you don't *want* lazy uneducated people to vote because they won't have followed up on the campaign or the issues and they will vote stupidly which is as bad as not voting at all.


Its entirely true, one of the little oxymoronic things about a mature democracy is that there is no way in hell you really want about 25 percent of the voting public to actually vote (in any country) as they are, in short, morons, and would vote for the fried chicken candidate or the guy out of "lost". This has been the perennial problem with democracy since its inception 2,500 years ago, giving the people the vote is one thing, what they would actually do if they could sober up enough to use it, well, thats another. :-2

What can you do, you can't kill em anymore, you just have to put up with them. :wah:

[YZGI]

Galbally;556489 wrote: Its entirely true, one of the little oxymoronic things about a mature democracy is that there is no way in hell you really want about 25 percent of the voting public to actually vote (in any country) as they are, in short, morons, and would vote for the fried chicken candidate or the guy out of "lost". This has been the perennial problem with democracy since its inception 2,500 years ago, giving the people the vote is one thing, what they would actually do if they could sober up enough to use it, well, thats another. :-2



What can you do, you can't kill em anymore, you just have to put up with them. :wah:
SOLD!!! I'll take the fried chicken guy or anyone off the cast of lost at this time. You knew this was coming eh Gal?:D

[RedGlitter]

Galbally;556489 wrote: Its entirely true, one of the little oxymoronic things about a mature democracy is that there is no way in hell you really want about 25 percent of the voting public to actually vote (in any country) as they are, in short, morons, and would vote for the fried chicken candidate or the guy out of "lost". This has been the perennial problem with democracy since its inception 2,500 years ago, giving the people the vote is one thing, what they would actually do if they could sober up enough to use it, well, thats another.

What can you do, you can't kill em anymore, you just have to put up with them.


Morons...fried chicken candidate...:wah: You're in top form today, Galbally!

What you say is completely true but the way you said it made me laugh out loud. Bonus!! :wah:

[Bryn Mawr]

Galbally;556489 wrote: Its entirely true, one of the little oxymoronic things about a mature democracy is that there is no way in hell you really want about 25 percent of the voting public to actually vote (in any country) as they are, in short, morons, and would vote for the fried chicken candidate or the guy out of "lost". This has been the perennial problem with democracy since its inception 2,500 years ago, giving the people the vote is one thing, what they would actually do if they could sober up enough to use it, well, thats another. :-2

What can you do, you can't kill em anymore, you just have to put up with them. :wah:


Why did the names Regan and Schwartzenegger pop into my mind when you said that? :wah:

[JacksDad]

Bryn Mawr;556591 wrote: Why did the names Regan and Schwartzenegger pop into my mind when you said that? :wah:


Don't Know. Why?

And that would be Reagan. :wah:

[Accountable]

RedGlitter;554974 wrote: I'll try to take a stab at it, Chris.

I think it might be a bit of a stretch. We are not the "land of milk and honey" that used to be ascribed to us. We have every part of the finanacial and cultural spectrum from super rich to cat-food poor. From art snob to paint by number. Our heath care leaves a lot to be desired, especially for those who have HMOs. I don't think hospitals can turn people away but I know for sure that pregnant ladies must be seen by law.

If you have money you can get better heath care than say a lower or middle class person. Money talks here. Not always but a good part of the time. If you are an illegal alien, you can get care that a citizen would be denied. Now how is that blessed? If you need a liver and can "afford" it, you can get your liver before someone whose been in line for a long time before you.



We have people who can't afford food and clothing or even shelter. They live in boxes or under bushes. Many are mentally ill and cannot afford the $300 pills needed because thy have no money or insurance. We have nursing homes for people who want to stick Grandma there so they won't be inconvenienced by taking her on. And they are terrible homes.

America does have many benefits and material things but they are not spread out evenly at all.



Our schools are full of teachers who can't handle modern day kids (probably because the school system's efficiency is no match for modern day society) and kids who don't have regard for teachers or others. When we get out of a basic school, we still know pretty much nothing needed to succeed in life. Not even how to balance a checkbook or get a home. Teachers aren't paid what they're worth and many don't teach what they should which may be partially the school's fault.



We work for minimum wage and there's now ay to live on that so we have to have more than one job. Many people shack up with others just as a way of surviving. Yet we feed half the world and our doctors give third worlders medical care gratis.



This is my take, Chris. I'm sure if you asked a handful of Americans the same questions you'd get a handful of differing answers. It would be interesting to see what others have to say.
I thought I disagreed with this at first scan, then I realized you're just showing the irony of our society. Can't deny that.



That's us: a Wal-Mart/Bloomingdales free-for-all! :yh_dance