What are Americans unhappy about?

Question

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!

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.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53028

Old article, but deserves to be discussed again.

Answer 1

We realize we are spoiled and pampered and have it made in this country. Between a high standard of living, good jobs and plenty to eat we should all be delearously happy.
But when we hear about the starving orphans in Africa and durfer? or the young men dieing in Iraq? See pictures of some little girl in Iraq and hear how she was sold at the age of 7 to her husband. HOw she burned her legs in protest and see the scars to prove it? CNN
Maybe we do care about others? maybe the plight of the rest of the world bothers us? Maybe? Just maybe we do care what happens in Iraq or Africa or worry about the orphans, from a tidal wave.

Answer 2

I see your long-winded point. People are SO picky in this country. You know what I've always been impressed with? - FedEx.

They do their damn job. You know they work their butts off to get your worthless little ebay packages to you on time. But there is so much that they do that I'm sure no one realizes. Do they ever get a pat on the back? No. I've told the delivery guys before that I appreciate their hard work. No one gives compliments on hard work anymore. If someone does something wrong, they are CRUCIFIED for it.

You know what helps employee morale in a business more than anything? Telling employees that they do a good job and that they're appreciated. That's i (studies have shown this). No raise, stock options, or any of that crap. It costs nothing to tell employees this - but you rarely ever hear it. SUCKS.

Anyway - while I'm pretty dissatisfied with Bush and disapprove of the war in Iraq, I definitely agree with your points. I don't think Americans should just bend over and take what the government gives them without asking questions. But you're right, we shouldn't forget about all the great things we have.

Answer 3

I suppose that many Americans were offered a dream that has grow to be inconceivable. My grandfather use to mention that not anything involves a dreamer however sleep. We are experiencing a valuable fiscal cycle that has pushed the dream additional away for so much at the same time looking television that indicates a few persons are nonetheless experiencing a luxurious subculture. This difficulty has additional pitted Americans of quite a lot of fame in opposition to one an additional that's additional debilitating. I suppose that each one Americans have got to bear in mind that WHO you're does no longer warranty you the candy lifestyles and quit making excuses this entails people who have benefited from nepotism which entails ethnic nepotism and people who find themselves nonetheless suffering to revel in the advantages and freedoms of this nation. I am handiest unsatisfied while I cross on the net and spot the detest and divisiveness that has metastasized during our nation.

Answer 4

cause our towers got blown up and then we went to war with the wrong country...and captured the wrong guy and the whole time we were saying "dont discourage the war-dont let our troops down" which if you think about it is a catch 22....No one even suggested that we directly attack Al Qaeda...and when we did engage them it was half-assed alocation of resources...just enough to say we attacked Al Qaeda...yeah that's why they're stronger than they were on 9/11...And we dont even know if Bush legitemately won 2000 presidential election...Enron Lives

Answer 5

Perhaps it's the way that the current administration is running the country. Maybe some people don't agree with it. Why are people allowed to have free thought still?

Answer 6

Yeah, let's all shut up and sit back and let the POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON DC take care of us like they have been for the last 70 years.

Answer 7

I'm not happy with either major political party that's for sure

vote libertarian , or any 3rd party

Answer 8

The work environment in America is toxic with all the backstabbing, rumors , favoritism that goes on day in and day out that is why.

Answer 9

I love you :)

I bow to your intelligence and bask in your radiance.

Answer 10

i was much happier before i read your long drawn out question.....thanks debbie downer