Should the average American feel guilty for being economically privillaged compared to other countries?

Question

Should the average American feel bad about having awesome stuff, like high bandwidth internet, high quality food, toys, games, instruments, and other amusements, as some people in other countries just scrape by?

Answer 1

No,I work and provide these thing for my family and I.They want these things,let let them go to work.Other countries are of no concern to me.

Answer 2

Absolutely not!
I've traveld abroad to many countries and have seen poverty at its worst. i.e Phillipines,Thailand.etc.
I've also had the privlege of being in developed nations
i.e. Japan,Singapore,Australia.
Having the privelage of seeing both first hand has led me to the conclusion that Poverty is not the "Norm" as many Americans misconceptionalize.

When it comes to the world economy we should not feel guilty for being apart of the better "half." Americans are not the only citizens to have awesome stuff.
I don't feel privelaged for being an American. By that reasoning I would have to feel that Japanese are privelaged for being born in Japan.Citizens of other nations as well Singaporeans, British,Australians etc..etc.

We are not overprivelaged people in 3rd world contries are underpriveled. However, its no secret that people of 3rd world countries work for the good of the "better half" which includes America. By work I mean we export more goods from third world countries than we import. We do this because the value of their dollar is lower. In light of this I still dont feel guilty.
Why? Because I do it to so does every other average American. I work for the good of the better "half" i.e. rich people.

97% of the worlds money is controlled by or rather in the control or 3%. If I was apart of the 3% then I would feel privelaged. A person from a 3rd world country and the average American are both part the of 97%. We are not so different we both work for good of the "better half."

Answer 3

Americans send large amounts of money when countries ask for help, we are asked for help because we are blessed with so much. I don't feel guilty at all, but I also know how blessed we are here in America. The organization I work for in America just finished building 400 new homes in countries that were hit with the Tsunami a couple years ago. God bless you.

Answer 4

I don't think guilt is called for so much as awareness. The average American has not directly worked toward overthrowing other governments and keeping third world countries in poverty, which is what they would have to have done in order to feel guilt.

I think we should waste less time discussing how God hath shined His favorable light on us, etc, etc and how thankful we should be and instead focus on what we can do to help others rise to our own economic position. You don't change anything by just expressing gratitude, though it is good to recognize the fact that you could just as easily be in another less fortunate person's place.

Answer 5

I do feel guilty a lot having the most simple things such as a faucet with fresh water coming out of it. Sometimes when I feel depressed about bills I start thinking about third world countries that do not even have the privelidge to be able to become in debt.

Answer 6

Only if they keep all the blessings for themselves. Share the wealth. There are people in other countries who are having difficulty making their miracle happen. Going to Africa changed my life for the better. Now I do not worry that I haven't got the PS3 or the plasma screen TV. It is a miracle that I have water and a safe bed to sleep in. Food to eat and doctors and hospitals to cure my illnesses. What we accept as everyday commodoties are blessings and miracles to someone else. He who saves one life saves the world entire. Don't lose sight.

Answer 7

All with privileges should count their blessings every day. The riches of this country are reaped off the backs of those in countries that are undeveloped so there should be shame instead of condescending pride from those who feel they are not part of the problem.

Answer 8

I don't feel guilty, just blessed.

I came from a poor family and was abused in childhood. I have had to work for everything I have, including intangible things - like self-esteem!

However, I am fully aware that others have to deal with things that I couldn't even imagine in my worst nightmares, and for that I am grateful. It makes me not take what I do have for granted.

Answer 9

i surely don't know what i should feel guilty about. I'm 59 years old and about to be laid off. bet the rent and food will be a ***** to pay for in about a month!!! no insurance, no money, and no help from the good old government either.
I'd say that is about as underprivileged as you can get.

Answer 10

No, I'm not going to feel bad if someone else can't get off their butt and work. I feel we should help others, but not kill ourselves because we actually have nice things and freedoms.