Wednesday, November 12, 2008

True Happiness This Way Lies
(the the)

I read this article the other day and have no idea who wrote it, or if it's already been overly circulated (I'm sure you'll let me know Mitch!), but I loved it nevertheless.  I think the message is profound and true and something we all should take to heart as Americans.

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 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 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. 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?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state.

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of 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.

K. 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.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M. 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% 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 us all safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may 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, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it
this way......Insane!

Turn 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. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'


What would you add?

Here's mine:

N.  I have always been captivated by the concept of the American Dream.  I love that in our country we have the freedom to pursue whatever goals, dreams and ambitions we possess.

11 comments:

partii said...

O. O is for Obama...not... it is for OPPORTUNITY.

"While there has been some inflation over the past 12 years, the exit poll demographics show that the fastest growing group of voters in America has been those making over $100,000 a year in income. In 1996, only 9 percent of the electorate said their family income was that high. Last week it had grown to 26 percent — more than one in four voters. And those making over $75,000 are up to 15 percent from 9 percent.
Put another way, more than 40 percent of those voting earned over $75,000, making this the highest-income electorate in history." - politico.com

So all this complaining about the Bush years...maybe they weren't as bad as the media would have us believe!

Mrs. O said...

All very good points, thanks for bringing some perspective.

I'd have to say that I'm grateful for medical technology - the ability to save a life with surgery, chemo, radiation. It's amazing.

And, having lived in a 3rd world country, I'm grateful for potable water and reliable electricity.

Jayne Layne said...

I read this a little bit ago, and I really loved it. It really does put things into perspective. I think the American people as a whole can be such a joke. Again I don't claim to know much about politics, but I think everyone that bashes the system constantly doesn't know much either. I agree we have EVERYTHING in this country that we could ever want and need and we still complain that it isn't good enough. We are very ungrateful people.

I am not sure if it mentions religion, but I am very grateful that we can practice the religion we want in the fashion we want.

Ann Marie said...

Amen to all that was said..

I havent really dared to talk politics on my blog much, and have been ashamed that I havent had the guts. I really feel guilty for any complaining that I do, because we as Americans really live a charmed and Rich life.

Thanks for making me stop and ponder all that I am so richly blessed with.

Mitch said...

Nope!! Never Read that!Good read though.

I think the big one for me is Education. No matter where you are in the states, you can get an average-above average education. Even the ghetto offers a good education should you choose to accept it. So many higher education opportunities, and opportunities to succeed. So i'm kind of with nick. If we want to be successful, we can be successful. Wasn't so much the case for some people i know in the D.R.

Suzanne said...

Thank you for posting that! I am tired of the media and the control they have on the public. From my old college years, in one of my communication classes, it was very clear that we should not believe 80% of what the media prints or says. TV shows and celebrities deciding what is beautiful and normal and it just makes me ill... I could go on and on, but I really liked your post. -Suzanne

jill said...

This was SO good! I agree, we can be spoiled brats. I do blame the media, that's one group I would love to see out of work. Poor Bush!

We are SO blessed and this article made me look at myself.

Jek said...

GREAT post. I just might steal that for tomorrow's post. LOved it and needed to be reminded. I love that I can take a child into an emergency room at anytime of night or day and have her treated immediately, in most cases. Or at least call 911 and have them at my door PDQ.

Me said...

I have seen this email too, and it really made me stop and think. I think people get stuck in this rut and get greedy. They start to believe that they are owed everything when in reality we have so much. Way more then a lot of other countries, and we forget that.

Thank you for sharing this so that we can remember and be grateful for what we have.

Rebecca said...

I hadn't read this, I'm glad you put it up. I heard something on the radio the other day (before the election) and it made me think. The speaker was pointing out how the President's foes would never concede anything admirable in him. That the 8 years had been a disaster from day one - failing to credit the fact he was re-elected to a second term, also failing to recognize any personal attributes. I'm trying to make it a point not to be guilty of the same thing during this welcoming of our new president, at least recognize the good; and being mindful to always respect the office. We have so much to be thankful for - this is a great post that reminds me to be appreciative.

wileyfamilyof5 said...

I foubd you through Ann. I tottally agree with you. Thank you for writing this post. Maybe this Thanksgiving we can realy think about what we have to be thankful for.