Why So Unhappy?

[tinkerfive]

"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's 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?''

 

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, and even 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 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 so 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,

we are told, 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, ungrateful brats safe from further 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 a talk show? Did this "news" affect you so much, and 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 (and their) 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", even if they

have to make it up. 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!

 

Stop buying the negativism 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.

 

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, and 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?"

[Spiris]

You are spot on Tinkerfive! Common sense is fleeting and the dumbing-down of America continues and will probably be reflected in the next election.

 

Spiris

[FC]

It's ingratitude. Good post.