What do we really have to complain about????

[fishbear]

This was sent to me by a friend of mine.  It kinda really hits home, especially this time of year.

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.

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 omputers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we

enjoy that are the *** 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 ere.

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 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.

[roadwarrior]

Salute!

[senile1]

. . . . and an Amen to that.

[Troutfisher]

That was very well written. Very good, very true.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Amen to that.

We are a society that likes to pass the blame to someone else.  Seems like many people can not accept responsibility for themselves and their decision.

[BucketmouthAngler13]

I seccond that salute and third that amen!

[Alpster]

Well said fishbear. I would like to add - The inability for people to take responsibility for their own actions and be accoutable for who they are is poision to this society. As long as it's always someone elses fault, ambulance chasing lawyers, the ACLU and the media you described so well will flourish. I think it was H.D. Thorough that said "all it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing" or something to that effect.

Ronnie

[K_Mac]

I agree with the others, well said fishbear. Ronnie, I think you hit the nail on the head; as long as every problem we have is someone elses fault with no accountability, we continue down a slippery slope.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Wow, talk about a post that makes you think....

Very well written, puts life into a little better perspective.

Thank you.

Wayne

[Matt Fly]

I am grateful for what I have earned, not been given.   EDIT,     I am grateful for having a father and mother that whooped my butt, taught me right from wrong, taught me to support my family, so, I am very gratefull for the parents I had, may be not so as the young kid I once was, but am thankful for having parents that gave me the tools to become as what most parents hoped for, law abiding, tax paying citizen.

We lose some of those rights that are discussed every day in our freedoms, whether its for the good of the country or not, we lose privacy, the right to say the pledge of allegiance, the right to display religion, all the things the founding fathers based our constituition on.

When the Commander and Chief went to war, he had the majority of the peoples blessing, majority of all elected officials.

Just like the media, your post is media driven and should be consider fodder for the bird cage.

Its not that some of it doesn't hit home, its the media driven statement. Cause this is just another form of what you call "media driven".

One of our rights by the way!!!!

What am I unhappy with?

We provided economic relief, over 50 billion to Russia and can't even take our own homeless off the streets. Some of those that were drafted, not volunteered as you point out have been homeless for years.

Heres the confusing part, you post what is written in Newsweek, then tell us to stop buying the venom, the very same venom you write with.

Have a nice day!

Matt.

[Guest avid]

I agree that Americans have much to be thankful for.

I also agree that we completely take for granted many things that many in the world realize as precious gifts.

That being said, I think we have to realize that all is not as rosey as you suggest.

It is not unpatriotic to question your government and yes, the fact that we can broadcast our displeasure is not something I would not dare if this were N. Korea.

Let me be more specific.

we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom,

social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the

Constitution of the United States

1. complete religeous freedom? Do you think Muslim Americans believe that?

What about the Branch Davidians?

2. Politcial freedom? The American communist party had thousands of non violent law abiding members who were persecuted. Remember the infamous Blacklists? How about the law abiding members of the KKK? I think they might disagree.

3. social freedom - Tell that the working poor or the 10 million undocumented aliens our government permitted to live here for decades to do dirty work at sub minimum wage. Or the countless veterans, left broken and homeless by the government who sent them to war?

4. Liberties sacredly safeguarded by the constitution? Have you heard of the Patriot Act? You can be wiretapped, detained, interrogated and held with no warrant or probable cause because some Federal agent or 'secret court' thought you fit "The Profile"

Not to mention that we have young men and women dying in Iraq because of a war our own president acknowledges was based on "faulty intellegence". I call it lies and deception. Now, like VietNam our problem is not how to win it, a bipartisan commision has declared it "unwinable" but how to get out.

Worst of all is that our military resources were diverted away from our real enemy, the Afghani protected Al Queda, who we never completely defeated and are making a resurgent comeback.

I am proud to be an American. I enjoy a good life because I am an American. But I don't believe that flag waving platitudes are in our best interest. Let's not forget that America was founded by rebels. The right to bear arms is in the constitution, not for hunting, but so we can defend ourselves against governmental tyranny.

Let's get the brave soldiers and marines back from Iraq.

Let's not surrender our consitutional protections out of fear.

Let's remember we have an obligation as Americans to make our government serve the interests of "We, the people".

avid has spoken

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Clarence Darrow and William Kuntsler are smilin down at you Avid. I dont like to get into political forays , these 2 lawyers protected the constitution with thier last breaths and I believe in what you posted.Respect,balance and tolerance is what I strive for. I live in the HUB of the illeagal alien movement HAZELTON I watch countless Hispanic families move here, work at factory jobs for the first decent wages they have ever earned. They live many in one house and then they get their citizinship, and assimilate, Yes there are some up to no good but the same can be said of the people who have grown up here, one of them (19 year old Hazleton Kid) ambushed and shot 2 cops before they had to shoot and kill him

 The Hispanic journy to the American Dream is so close to my own I grew up in an Italian Speaking house, many of us lived in the same house. One by oone My Dad, his brothers and sisters got better with English, got jobss some their own businesses and got their dream I bet more than one didnt have proper documentation yet all the brothers fought in either WWII or the Korean Was My dad had to go back and fight in Italy and he did so proudly This town makes me sick I cant wait to move outta here.

[Troutfisher]

We provided economic relief, over 50 billion to Russia and can't even take our own homeless off the streets.    Some of those that were drafted, not volunteered as you point out have been homeless for years.

A man from our Church recently took a trip to Lagos, Nigeria for a Missions Trip.  He went there expecting to see poverty.  What he saw was much worse.

There would be nice gas stations, and then right beside them would be slums.  I'm not talking about the "I'm poor in America" crowd, who are eligible for welfare, no, I'm talking about people who bathe in public fountains, people who come up to your stopped car wanting you to buy their knick knacks so they can have enough money to buy food for the day, people who consider themselves rich to have a home with running water and indoor plumbing.

America's "poor?"

Here in West Virginia, we have Welfare, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, HUD Housing Programs, Low Income Telephone Assistance Programs, Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC), The Food Stamp Program, and Medicaid, to name a few.

[RiskKid.]

I am not only thankful for all we have....we are a truely blessed nation....not perfect but blessed. I am also thankful we have the ability to have diverse opinions, discuss them and ultimately vote to voice them. Changes come slowly but we evolve, mistakes are made and corrected, decisions are made and changed, some bigger than others depending on differing points of view, sometimes corrections and changes come slowly, sometimes they are very costly and painful, they are always passionatly debated, and in the end we remain a great country that has the ability to adjust (albeit slowly) which is a wonderful thing..........JMHO

[Troutfisher]

That's another good point.  We Americans are allowed to debate one another differing opinions.  In some countries, it is considered treason.

[fishingrulz]

TRUTH! Well written thanks for sharing.

[sodaksker]

I'm grateful that I don't have to chase it anymore,  I have to fight for it every now and again but, its always worth it.

[paparock]

There is a difference these days though because once upon a time the people of this nation would debate then vote. The loser of the vote put their differences aside and stood shoulder to shoulder with the winner of the vote especially in time of war and we the people pulled together. Today the ink cannot dry before the venom flows and our enemies have taken note of the change. Either we learn to put aside our differences and again stand together or we are going to fall separately.

While we may disagree, I believe a civil discourse should be possible here without sarcasm coming into play.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Here in West Virginia, we have Welfare, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, HUD Housing Programs, Low Income Telephone Assistance Programs, Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC), The Food Stamp Program, and Medicaid, to name a few.

That is not just in West Virginia. Every state, including mine (PA), provides most (if not all) of those services. For the first time, I think I might actually be the authority on a subject.

These are quality programs and yes, there are some people that abuse it. Just not as many as you would think...

Wayne

[Troutfisher]

I was saying those programs were available here in West Virginia and also available elsewhere. I should have stated otherwise.

My point is stating that the "homeless" here in the United States have it heads and shoulders better than those in other countries. In West Virginia, almost 40% of my parent's income heads straight to the State and Federal Government, where they can take that money and give it to programs like Welfare and programs of the such.

And guess what? Every first of the month, people line the doors to go receive their check, and almost simulateously, they head right over to the gas station to load up on lottery tickets, cigarettes, beer, and snacks. After the first few days, with no money saved, they are whining that the Government doesn't pay enough, and their needs to be more programs because they are needy. This sort of thing happens all the time. Welfare is supposed to be a program that helps you get on your feet during hard times, and help you get back to work after some circumstance.  However, thousands of people don't work, and rely on that monthly check, food stamps, etc. to live off of.  We do the work, and they get the pay.

Perhaps if some of these program abusers would stop hitting every give away program out there, and go to work, there wouldn't be this sort of problem, and the people who really deserve the programs could get them.  

[Tom Bass]

Socialism will destroy this country.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

IAnd guess what? Every first of the month, people line the doors to go receive their check, and almost simulateously, they head right over to the gas station to load up on lottery tickets, cigarettes, beer, and snacks. After the first few days, with no money saved, they are whining that the Government doesn't pay enough, and their needs to be more programs because they are needy. This sort of thing happens all the time. Welfare is supposed to be a program that helps you get on your feet during hard times, and help you get back to work after some circumstance. However, thousands of people don't work, and rely on that monthly check, food stamps, etc. to live off of. We do the work, and they get the pay.

Perhaps if some of these program abusers would stop hitting every give away program out there, and go to work, there wouldn't be this sort of problem, and the people who really deserve the programs could get them.

You seem to think that people are getting rich off of welfare programs. This is not the case. As far as people "loading up on lottery tickets, cigarettes, beer and snacks" you got one right out of four guesses. Snacks are the only thing that you are able to buy with food stamps because they are FOOD. If you try to use your card to buy those other items, the cashier will ask you for another form of payment.

If the welfare clientele are the bain of society because they use their "checks" for evil purposes, maybe you should research people who abuse the unemployment, social security and workers compensation programs.

Food stamps and cash assistance are deposited on a card, much like an ATM card. This gives the "powers that be" the ability to monitor what is being purchased with their benefits.

The other programs I mentioned give a physical check or deposit the money directly to a bank account, where the recipient can do with it as they please.

Now I ask you, Where do you see more regulation taking place?

Like I said in my previous post, the welfare system is far from perfect and there are some people that find ways around the regulations and do the unscrupulous things you mentioned, JUST NOT AS MANY AS YOU THINK.

You state that every month, people are lining up outside the office waiting for their check. Have you seen this with your own eyes or is this the opinion of an adult that you know? My guess is that if you are attending school, you have not seen it for yourself.

I dont want to seem like I am treading on your opinion, because you are entitled to it. I would, however, like to see some factual basis to the opinions that you express.

Ok, all done.

Wayne

[flechero]

1. complete religeous freedom? Do you think Muslim Americans believe that?

What about the Branch Davidians?

2. Politcial freedom? The American communist party had thousands of non violent law abiding members who were persecuted. Remember the infamous Blacklists? How about the law abiding members of the KKK? I think they might disagree.

3. social freedom - Tell that the working poor or the 10 million undocumented aliens our government permitted to live here for decades to do dirty work at sub minimum wage. Or the countless veterans, left broken and homeless by the government who sent them to war?

4. Liberties sacredly safeguarded by the constitution? Have you heard of the Patriot Act? You can be wiretapped, detained, interrogated and held with no warrant or probable cause because some Federal agent or 'secret court' thought you fit "The Profile"

Not to mention that we have young men and women dying in Iraq because of a war our own president acknowledges was based on "faulty intellegence". I call it lies and deception. Now, like VietNam our problem is not how to win it, a bipartisan commision has declared it "unwinable" but how to get out.

Worst of all is that our military resources were diverted away from our real enemy, the Afghani protected Al Queda, who we never completely defeated and are making a resurgent comeback.

I am proud to be an American. I enjoy a good life because I am an American. But I don't believe that flag waving platitudes are in our best interest. Let's not forget that America was founded by rebels. The right to bear arms is in the constitution, not for hunting, but so we can defend ourselves against governmental tyranny.

Let's get the brave soldiers and marines back from Iraq.

Let's not surrender our consitutional protections out of fear.

Let's remember we have an obligation as Americans to make our government serve the interests of "We, the people".

I welcome any intellegent discussion.

avid.

In an effort to keep things factual and respectful, here goes...

1. I have yet to hear of an muslims being shot, beaten, etc. for practicing their faith in the US. The Branch Davidians existed peacefully until the authorities found out about the illegal weapons and under age girls being married off and forced to bear children.

2. The law abiding members of the KKK knew exacly what was going on and backs widespread violence and even terrorist activity (which burning crosses in yards could be considered these days) Just because a percentage of them didn't physically participate, doesn't mean they weren't aware and didn't condone/promote it. What about the rights of the innocent people who were found hanged by the neck from a freakin' tree? You think they would take issue with your position?

3. by undocumented, you mean ILLEGAL?? As in broke our LAWS and crossed the border in the cover of darkness to avoid our border patrol? It's actually easier to cross in a town where you show ID and walk in vs. risking your life being "smuggled" in here by the coyotes. What are they hiding??? The point is that we don't know, some are good people but once they come here illegally, I can only consider them criminals... a title they gave themselves. And by the way... it's still better here under these "horrible conditions" with free education and health care than it is in their OWN COUNTRY. They have bankrupted hospitals and school systems all over the place... and who actually suffers from that? People in areas with high concentrations of them. I'd rather pay more for goods than have to put my kids in private schools... or how about this, my local ER is so backed up with illegals that unless you arrive by medivac helicopter or ambulance, you have a 6-8 hour avg. wait. I can drive to Dallas or Austin and see one of my old Dr's faster than I can get to my own ER for treatment... that is absurd and in my opinion, unacceptable.

4. If you think you are being wire tapped when calling cust service at Loomis, you are mistaken. domestic to domestic wire taps still fall under the old laws. Please go read the patriot act before spreading more confusion, you are only throwing gas on the fire. Yes, on occasion someone's rights might get violated.... but that beats a bunch of lives being lost.

The "faulty intellegence" you mention came from sources all over the world and from all political parties... calling it lies and deception by our President is ludacris. The same bipartisan group you are so fond of for declaring the war unwinable is the exact same type of group that voted to give the President the green light to go there in the first place. So pick one side and stay there... arguing with a moving target isn't "intelligent discussion." Do you not understand that if we cut and run now we will be in much worse shape very shortly? I don't like us losing soldiers either but I can also tell you that living down the street from Ft. Hood, the soldiers and families believe in what they are doing and don't want to cut and run either.

Remember that "we the people" were behind the President when this started.

How about we take the "handcuffs" off of our soldiers and let them win a few battles. If people are shooting at the from a mosque, blow it up. They will quit hiding in places like that once a few of them are destroyed. Schools and hospitals also.

Remember it is war and all the PC crap is just that... it's war and people die, but trying to win a war without hurting or offending anyone is crazy and will only prove to be the losing strategy. If we offend someone, I'm sorry but too bad- were in a war. And yes, in wars there is collateral damage... that's just part of war and another reason to pound the crap out of the enemy from the start and not to let up and let it drag out.

Sorry for the extended rant... I have to get to work.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I love this place!!!!! So many good positions and points....

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Wow this is great this is America for me a free exchange of ideas without putiin red and blue states and rudeness in it Im proud of you guys now my.02 I was with the idea of getting BenLaden, thats what I was told he was up to.He didnt do that  I feel there was a left over adgenda from His Dad's admininstration I dont have all the facts and less face it every feeling aint a fact but on some level we were all hoodwinked.

 I mentioned Darrow and Kuntsler before b/c these guys defended the constiution not any cause Look at thier case loads Communists,Gangsters,KKK and even Nzis Yet it was about keeping the constiution strong for ALL OF US>

 I will continue to be a learner all my life and I really love the exchange of views I may just see something I missed in my Belief system

Thanks Fellas