The American People... Are We to Blame??

Question

We drive around in cars the size of small homes and curse our leaders for rising gas costs. We shop at Wal-Mart and than complain about the economy. For weeks people were warned of a great hurricane hitting the southern coast, yet millions didn't prepare. For decades we've received endless warnings from scientists of impending global disaster but have made no changes. Is it time for the individual to take some responsibility for the current and future state of our country? Does the "Ask not what your country can do for you..." attitude exist anymore with the modern American?

Answer 1

We are a country of bigots, religious zealots, slackers, high fructose corn syrup eating losers. JFK would not be proud!! What happened to all the passion and vigor that was shown throughout the sixties? Those hippies got old, started driving SUV's spoiled their kids rotten, ate too much McD's because they were yuppies working and juggling family. Now they drink their Starbucks and wonder...what happend to the USA????

Answer 2

I agree with you.

Bush doesn't believe scientist, could care less the size of his car as his is a lemo after being dropped off by a 747, he doesn't have to shop at Walmart (the dollar drought machine that turns downtown's into vacant buildings and employees a lot of Chinese) and he doesn't know how to take responsibility!

How does someone, actually many people in a little more limited way, have any idea about anything. He has been given everything his whole life!

The rich could care less what price gas is! They have never bought it!

Answer 3

Gas prices: after shortages and gas lines of the 70's government did pressure auto makers to build more engery efficient cars Cars were down sized with improved mileage. There was even an oil glult so patriots we are we went out and bought gas guzzlers and used up that oil. If Americans in 1982-1985 demand further feul efficiency and congress had demand auto makers inprove gas mileage by one gallon a year and been persistant [citizens and congress] To day we would be getting 26 miles more per gallon. Where were the activist, liberal when we needed them?? Reagan took office and the age of conservatism began.

Answer 4

“The Americans arn't the only ones to blame. The whole human race is to blame”

I wrongly disagree with this assertion.

Do you know that 70 % of the “gaz à effet de serre” in the world which creates ozone and warming is produced by the only US which refuses to observe Kyoto Protocol ?

So US is considered as the spoiled and capricious little child of the planet unconscious of destroying the planet.

The European governments are doing a lot of campaign of information in the medias about global challenges, so the citizens feel very concerned and adapt their daily behaviour in order to preserve the planet.

I don’t care that Americans are destroying their land but I’m furious they are selfishly destroying the planet where millions of people are living and I hope that your next government will awake American people.

Do you sometimes think to your children and grandchildren?

US is 20 years late as concerns the respect of the planet and the rest of the planet is so upset.

Thank you for your question Cmac.

Answer 5

Thanks...you've reached the first plateau.

So, what do the people do about it?

What I am doing right now.

Sweating real perspiration while using fans instead of A/C.

Using my automobile less, only for real emergencies.

Saying no to travel gimmicks wanting to send me on airplanes (after seeing 9/11, who needs airplances anymore)

Controling energy expenses by watching my energy bills and managing them.

Keeping things neat and tidy and not polluting up my home or my neighborhood with useless trash bins.

Using biodegradable products and recycling.

I can go on and on, but you get the idea.

I am living ahead of my time and the way I predict everyone else will be soon if they want this planet around in one piece.

Thanks.

Answer 6

OK, what do we do.I don't know about anyone else but public transportation in my town is non existent. If you want a decent job you have to drive. They would think I am crazy if I asked the school bus to pick my kids up for after school functions. I don't shop much at Walmart but my wife works there. She works there because its close. They dont care if she doesn't show up sometimes because of things that come up.Everything else about it sucks. Soooooooooo what should we do.( Dont say move because this is where her family is and thats not gonna happen.)

Answer 7

The Americans arn't the only ones to blame. The whole human race is to blame. People are stubborn and lazy and they do nothing to prevent or prepare for anything. We get alot of our tecnology from Europe. So how are Americans the only ones to blame? People keep thinking of ways to make living more easier and relaxed and basically a lazy lifestyle. It's just that everyone thinks that America's the laziest and they think we do nothing to contribute to society. But that's not true.

Answer 8

We,are not necessarily responsible.Big business,and those"powers that be"maybe.The average Joe,can't really do anything about these crisis,but what he has been told to do.We are creatures of habit and current circumstances.Our leaders have dropped the ball on alot of our problems and when they get caught with their pants/skirts down they make every excuse in the book for it.The only thing we can do is vote these idiots out of office!And elect someone who has got some brains and a heart.Even if it means creating a new people friendly political party.I do my part as far as protecting the environment,global warming,hurricanes,etc.but those who really can make a difference are too busy making a name for themselves to care.PEACE IN THE MIDDLE-EAST!!GOD BLESS!!

Answer 9

Ive read all your answers and some of you had very good ones. But when you blame the politicians it leaves me empty because i need to know who put these guys in office in the first place WE DID....we the American public have contributed to the problem now we have to deal with it or change it on election days..Yes we have let them run us instead of us running them and now is the time to change things before we run out of time...I as a LIBERAL AMERICAN (and proud of it)still believe in the quote President Kennedy said but sadly I don't think most Americans do.

Answer 10

no its not the american people who are the blame its the sleaze sucking politicians with their hands in the back pockets of big business. car companys provide the large vehicles, our govt gave away our economy to the country with the worst human rights record of any country ever -"china". but we take out sadam because hes a bad guy, what a joke.we need to step up as a people and get rid of this business as usual gruop of politicians and try to get thsi country back again for reglar people not just the rich.

Answer 11

Everything is someone else's fault. We should have everything we want just because. Some people are just too busy to get a job, so the government owes them a living. (And where does the governments money come from?). People take so much for granted anymore.