Is that so? You may be tougher, but is the majority that elected Obama tougher than the average Russian? I don't think so. Here we whine and throw tantrums if tough times force us to choose between lattes at Starbucks, a new Play Station, and paying our mortgage. Here we hardly have a country anymore; just a bunch of people living in the same place looking for an excuse to scam the government into giving us something we never earned. What do we know about sacrifice anymore?
The prevailing philosophy in America today: Ask not what you can do for your country but what your country can do for you.
I am not saying that Americans are tougher than Russians (or that I am tougher than you). I was remarking on the resiliency of our political & economic system relative to Russia's.
Your observations about "Starbucks" & "Playstation" are indeed reflections of our screwed-up priorities. But I think that's another argument. I'm just sayin' that we'll muddle through the Obama years (may they be short).
Just to be clear, no offense was intended.