Posted on 11/20/2006 8:56:18 AM PST by SirLinksalot
Made in the USA: Spoiled brats
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: November 20, 2006
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.
-----------------------------------------------
Craig R. Smith is an author, commentator and popular media guest because he instantly engages audiences with his common-sense analyses of local, national and global trends. Serving as CEO of Swiss America for nearly 25 years, Craig understands that Americans want solid answers to the tough questions and that real leadership begins with servanthood.
Hardly.
We'd be up to our ears in colored ribbons and protest marches if women suffered the same institutionalized prejudice men tolerate, for the most part, stoically.
But note this is the second time you've replied to me by changing the subject to something demeaning, rather that asking for explaination or elaboration of my original assertion.
Hiding under the bed.
When I was in the Army, the NCO's said the surest way to tell that the soldiers were all right was to hear them gripe endlessly about the Army. I think it was true then and it's true for Americans.
Difference between "...our legal system is designed..." in reference to family law and "...our legal system was designed..." in reference to general criminality noted.
Agreed on the women's suffrage issue. Tilted the political playing field in favor of a huge voting bloc that responds emotionally rather than rationally.
You sound unhappy.
This "institutionalized prejudice" against men might not be the real cause of your unhappiness.
There's a book called, "The Power of Positive Thinking" that will give you a different perspective.
I have to leave for a while to go beat up on my husband. LOL
Penis-envy is as old as Eve and just as productive.
Actually I am happy to see the adulation given Obama. It shows just how desperate the Party of Treason is for a candidate not named Hillary.
Ahh, if only that book had been around during the fight for women's suffrage...or even the late colonial period...just think how much happier we'd all be!
;o)
But I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps more and more people are becoming unhappy these days because they sense somehow that we've peaked and they believe that it's downhill from here with dark days ahead?
"An Oprah nation to be sure.
With liberal women in charge of "news", "education", culture, and now electing our reps, it will only get worse.
Where are our men? "
The feminized Western male has been nagged into submission by over-bearing media, lackluster (pubic) education, and narc'ed up on malignant narcissism. We have become the cocaine monkey, trembling in our own feces, hoping the lever will bring the blow instead of the shock.
We have a winner!
Where are the men? Are you serious? I don't know. I can't see them because all the 30 year-old, video game playing, slouchy-dressing, pitty-partying, skate-boardin', little chumps are in the way.
Most of the guys who were guys when I was growing up who didn't take on the yoke of responsible father decided to lay around mom and dad's house and sponge off them. Those same guys give me a silly-*ss smirk every time my child gets a runny nose and roll their eyes at the **looooserrrr!** This represents all the single guys I know. ALL OF THEM!
Men, huh? Take a time machine and go back a couple of decades!
I may get flamed now, but I really don't care.
There was a time when Americans understood that freedom meant nobody out there whose job it was to please them. being "tough to please" is a personal problem, not a virtue.
I was thinking yesterday. I do that sometimes and most of the time it gets me in trouble.
The U.S. hasn't been attacked in five years but we know the goal of our enemies is to do so as soon as possible.
If the next attack on the U.S. should happen to be a nuclear one what will this country be like and how will the citizenry react. How will our Government react?
Do to a major attack electricity, water and communications may be cut off over a large area. Food and other necessities may not be delivered.
After such an attack lawlessness would be a hundred times worse that what happened after Katrina. Criminals and desperate people would become like wild animals. The police would be overwhelmed and unable to protect us. I am afraid that we would be completely on our own. How many of us would be able to cope with protecting our families, secure enough food, water, etc to survive?
Far too many have become dependent on others to furnish them what they need. Those of us that have the ability to take care of ourselves will be much to busy to provide any help to those outside our own families. Far more will die, because they have never learned to be self dependent, than will occur in the initial attack.
Right on. Better still, to have had a taste of the depression, or depression like conditions.
I saw a film just before I emigrated to North America. It was called "Rebel Without A Cause". A rich kid (James Dean) money, a car, wonderful house etc. A pleading considerate Dad.
I still think that rebellion in his case, proved him stark staring raving mad- well stupid anyway. Fiction it was true, but true to some peoples lives.
Where I came from, his life pictured in California was a dream. A wonderful dream. I still cannot understand the reasoning. America. People die to get there.
Boy, I must have missed that benefit concert.
*snrk*
I couldn't agree more with that statement. I've had to deal with the public for most of my working life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.