Posted on 08/18/2012 5:19:01 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Mitt Romney has chosen as his running mate U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, the author of an ill-conceived budget plan that he ambitiously named "The Path to Prosperity."
In fact, Ryan's budget plan aims to put more money in taxpayers' pockets through massive cuts to many programs that have a direct impact on the quality of life in the United States.
There is more to "prosperity" than money in our pockets. Financial prosperity does no one any good if there is not concomitant happiness or, at least, contentment. The ability to lead a happy and satisfying life is the best measure of true prosperity. A happy life is made up of basic American values: access to health care, access to a good education, security, access to sustenance.
Given this, the happiness of our citizenry does not seem to figure into the GOP's notion of prosperity. Our nation's founders were wise to emphasize the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The GOP seems to have lost sight of the pursuit of happiness.
True happiness is difficult to define. It is not just short-term pleasure or immediate gratification. It transcends money. We are all familiar with the phrase "money doesn't buy happiness." Research shows that real happiness involves a sense of well-being, a deep connection to others, the freedom to autonomously pursue one's interests and the ability to find personal meaning in one's life.
Just how happy are we Americans?
Combined data from the Gallup Poll; the Heritage Foundation, the quintessential conservative think tank; the World Economic Forum and - surprisingly - the CIA, from more than 100,000 people show that the U.S. doesn't fare well...
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
Too bad we can't have a Governor and legislature that are honest.
Strange, I seem to remember multiple articles on how self-reliant conservatives are measured as being consistently happier than whining liberals. Must be the 49% on the government dole that this author is kvetching about!
How is it possible to get less properous...
If I hadnt already finished paying for my house I might well have been one of the foreclosed ones...
However Im sure Willard will do his best to outdo and outshine Obama...
Curiously, those sound identical to the aspirations of your average federal penitentiary inmate.
One three letter word will solve the problem; J-O-B-S!
If government overspending was the path to prosperity Greece would be doing GREAT!!!
So, the author wants the US to be like Bhutan? Where the national indicator includes the index of happiness but no freedom in public life (you cannot go there without a letter of invitation from a Bhutanese)?
C’mon. It’s not nice to pick on Joe when he’s not around to defend himself.
On the other hand, what could his defense possibly be?
“...that dang Gov. Ryan is determined to drag us back to the 21st century, all the while shoving grandma up the stairs....”
OK Mr. Biden, it’s time to take your pills now...
All laundered through a huge bureaucracy. Don't just give money to the actual people who need it, send it to the FedGov first, and let it trickle down.
If, according to this dipstick, Obama’s America is “prosperous” ... “less prosperous” may not be a bad thing.
SnakeDoc
A dram is better than a damn.
Who needs money?
It’s sooo 80’s.
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/10/31/study-republicans-happier-than-democrats/
I bet one of Obama’s sons would gladly relieve the good doctor of his wallet full of misery. After a little game of “knockout”, of course.
Has anyone ever met a happy liberal? How would he know what happiness is? This was written like a junior high student.
Pray for America
At least, that is the outcome which has resulted in every nation which has followed the ideology he seems to favor.
My head is exploding PING
I worked 30-40 hours a week WHILE GOING to school full time, to pay for school. Where is the "shared sacrifice" from those who didn't do what I did?
I currently drive 120 miles a day, round trip, just to go work. Where is the "shared sacrifice" from those who aren't willing to go more than 5-10 miles?
I work 6 days a week, 10 hours a day. Some days 12 hours. Some weeks 7 days. Where is the "shared sacrifice" from those who only work 40 hours?
I work in conditions that most would whine and complain and refuse to work in. Where is the "shared sacrifice" from them?
I've worked in a number of factories doing a number of jobs. None of those jobs even come close to the amount work involved with what I do today. Where is the "shared sacrifice" from those who work in factories?
I personally know a number of people who make 20-30k and yet spend big $$$ on cars, big screen tvs, the latest smart phones, etc. And yet I make well over that, and choose not to spend money on that. Where is the "shared sacrifice" from those who indulge themselves the luxuries and yet struggle with necessities?
Many, MANY people have sacrificed in their past to afford for their future. And NOW the lazy and indulgent want them to "share" in the sacrifice?
Study after study has been done on the giving and volunteering of liberals and conservatives, and conservatives give and volunteer noticably more than liberals. Where is the "shared sacrifice" from liberals in giving to others?
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