Sunday, November 02, 2008

Made in the USA: Spoiled brats

Posted: November 20, 2006
1:00 am Eastern

By Craig R. Smith

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.

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I'm happy.

And I'll be happy no matter who wins Tuesday. Except Bob Barr. Cuz I'd fall out of my chair and that would make be unhappy. Zing, folkie! But then I'd get back into my chair and I'd be happy again.

I don't understand how people can let things that are FAR beyond their control affect their happiness.

Gotta interject here.

Happiness is a choice. No government, no person, no thing, can MAKE you happy. You choose to be happy or you don't.

That 67 percent of Americans are unhappy says more about THEM than it does about their government or the state of the economy.

quote:

And I'll be happy no matter who wins Tuesday. Except Bob Barr. Cuz I'd fall out of my chair and that would make be unhappy. Zing, folkie! Wink But then I'd get back into my chair and I'd be happy again. Smiler

Yeah, I'd be unhappy for a moment after my head collided with the ceiling fan from my jumping with joy.

Of course I'd probably be happy in the long term because I think I could secure a pretty decent job on the beltway if Barr DID win!

I agree that much of the angst is fed by left-leaning media. Wait until after Obama's coronation, and the cloud of doom will begin to disintegrate.

Another likely factor is how the question is asked. When people are asked, "Are you satisfied with the direction our country is headed?", the questioner is already implying that there's some nebulous force(s) that exists. The respondent doesn't want to appear ignorant and replies that, indeed, something's awry.

I would like to see polling to these questions:

Do you see political, government, or social trends in this country that affect your life?

If so, are there changes that should be made to enhance or reverse these trends?

As for me, my happiness appears to be inversely related to the amount of time spent staying educated on the issues of the day.

quote:

I agree that much of the angst is fed by left-leaning media. Wait until after Obama's coronation, and the cloud of doom will begin to disintegrate.

And will reappear when Obama doesn't start handing out money on the street, the way so many of his supporters seem to think he will.

I thought it said 67% are unhappy with the direction of the country and 69% are unhappy with the current admin. I agree. I am one of those 2/3's.

HOWEVER ~ personally ~ I'm a happy person. We are buying a home, we do have jobs, my children are relatively healthy ~ the struggle between food and gas has decreased. I love my husband and children. I'm happy.

I'm not happy with the direction of the country. That doesn't mean my personal happiness hinges on the president's performance. but i ain't happy with it.