Do you think the majority of Americans are ungrateful and spoiled?

United States
May 12, 2007 9:28pm CST
I was reading this article and it really brought some points into view that got me to thinking - sharing it here to see how others may see it and what they may think about it. While I do agree that alot of it is true and does "hit the nail on the head," I hope that I do not fall into this category myself. Thanks for your thoughts! ---------------------------- JAY LENO..." HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD" "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, two-thirds of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started 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 s ummer 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 bulletproof 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 ungrateful brats 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! 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, 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?"
5 people like this
13 responses
• United States
13 May 07
I agree, I am one of the few happy Americans. And I rarely watch t.v. it's too depressing, I don't even read the paper. I might watch t.v. about once a week and I do watch the weather. There's no time, too much living to do.
3 people like this
• United States
13 May 07
I too tend to try and see the positive side of life. There is so much pain and suffering around us and in the whole world - I may be used to what I have, but I do stop and think about how lucky I am in so so many ways. THanks for commenting.
1 person likes this
@twils2 (1812)
• United States
13 May 07
I couldnt agree with more. The vast majority of Americans are so spoiled, greedy, selfish people in the world. To many people that have way more than they need are always looking for another handout, abuseing the welfare system, social security and whatever other federal program they can squeeze money out of and then they complain or even sue when they get turned down. I personally dont watch the news any more because its all just liberal rederick anymore. It dosnt seem to matter what a republican does, it always wrong and a democrat can do no wrong. I will say this about Bush, since we've been in Iraq and Afganastan we havent been attacked on our own soil, embassies and our military ships havent been bombed since all this started. He must be doing something right. Thanks for posting this, Terry
• United States
13 May 07
Thank you so much for your thoughts. I too have seen so many people abuse the system - and then complain about not getting more or about all that they do get. The ACLU I have come to see is at the root of alot of this countries problems - they are not out to help advance, but to help destroy this country in the long run. I hope that who-ever wins the next Presidential election will have the media and public behind him (and hopefully not her) and everyone can work together for once to make some good changes for the country.
1 person likes this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
13 May 07
I think that there are two different arguments that have nothing to do with each other being mixed together. One is about Americans being spoiled and ungrateful and the second is people being unhappy with President Bush. They are two completely different arguments. President Bush did not create the great things we have in this country; they existed before he came to office. He was elected as a caretaker, and as one, he has done a poor job. One need only look at the aftermath of Katrina to see that. Any other president (I would like to believe) would be focusing all their attention on rebuilding a great city like New Orleans, not protecting oil resources over in Iraq. Even leaving the Iraq War out of it (which is a big source of complaint from the American people), Bush has let the Gulf Coast stagger back without the support that most Americans believe it deserves, he's worsened air and water quality laws, and he has put a lot more money into the pockets of the top 1% of the richest Americans than he has into those of the middle class. The second argument goes to the topic of whether Americans are spoiled and ungrateful, and here I will agree with Jay Leno. I do think we take a lot for granted. However, Americans are also very generous, trying to help the rest of the world with money (charity) and time (Peace Corps, for example). We use a lot of the world's resources. I don't think we're bad people, but we could use a little more introspection about what we have. I also think that we need to read more news, however, and see what's going on in the world. I would bet that most Americans don't read a newspaper or know what's going on in Darfur or Nigeria or Colombia or many other places around the globe. How can we understand the rest of the world if we don't keep up with the news?
• United States
13 May 07
There have been so many huge problems and issues that occured since Bush took office - the 1st major one being 9-11 - Katrina was no small event either. Both are still problems and on-going with no real ending really in site. I did vote for Bush but have become increasingly disappointed in how he has handled the office and responsibility. I am an Independent (not a democrat or republican) and did believe he would do the better job than his opponent. The news does a poor job of being fair in their method of reporting and has not helped at all. All the news is not like this, but several of the big national news channels are. Thank you for your thoughts and ideas.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 May 07
Over generalizing is a bad thing. And also, keep in mind, not every single American was questioned for that poll. Secondly, our lives don't suck because we have electricity, and running water and everything else, it sucks because we have people in our lives that don't treat us right, because we have a president that can't tell his head from his behind, and that can't favor the popular vote in america. People in America, especially the big capitialist corporations, want nothing more than to screw over the little working class people, of which most of Americans are. We're not allowed to live as freely as we'd like, simply because we have lawmakers that are pushing their own agendas. We're not spoiled, we just want what's right and fair.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 May 07
Looks like we're getting some vocal opinions going here! :o) I too want what's right and fair - I do think though that we need to look beyond what we are told by the media and decide what the truth may or may not really be.
1 person likes this
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
13 May 07
I did find that the media in the US was a bit over the top. It keeps feeding negativity and basically dictates what people "should" be angry about and sometimes it's done in a subtle way. People are made to feel they have the "right" to demand things all the time and that things should be perfect, and no discomfort should be felt. But life is all about living through the rough times as well. The culture is also that you are made to feel inferior if you are not "winning" all the time. No wonder people get angry when this fallacy that is fed to them just does not equate to the truth. It would also help if things weren't categorised into "good" and "evil" and if countries O/S were portrayed in a realistic light too. Sure there are legitimate beefs - there are way too many street people, poor people and people who can't seem to make ends meet, for such a rich country.
2 people like this
• United States
13 May 07
yes, the media does tend to really do a job concentrating on the negative issues and feelings. I usually avoid a few news-casts on tv as they are not fair and unbiased. I've found that FOX news tends to at least show both sides and seem to be more fair in how they present the news. Thanks for your thoughts!
@RookRocks (381)
• Philippines
13 May 07
I can see where Leno is coming. I'm no american so I don't really know the American lifestyle. But what I know so far based on what I see on the TV and the books and printed materials I read, yes, American are spoiled brats. I'm sorry for this, but it just goes to show that your media doesn't only reflect the bad things to US alone, but to the entire world too! Right now in my country (Philippines) we have a trend of growing anti-american sentiments particularly on the young people. It's alarming since US and Philippines have shared history together, and that have been great friends and ally. If it's already this bad in my country, then just think of US reputation on others. And you're not doing much to correct your reputation. Right now American soft power is on an all-time low. The new societies others now look up to is EU and Japan.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 May 07
Very well spoken. I think that Americans lack so much understanding about the rest of the world. The more that they travel, learn about other cultures, read the news, and see how the rest of the world thinks, the better people they become. A lot of US citizens believe that the US is "helping Iraq" by starting a war over there. Iraq and Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9-11, but most Americans continue to ignore this fact.
1 person likes this
@rahulmig (1030)
• India
13 May 07
yes they are insecure too + unfaithful and very much sploiled
1 person likes this
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
13 May 07
I think the country is fine and the Prez is doing as well as he can. Sure, their are a lot of things I would like to see changed. But I have to be grateful for all that I have. It is easy to take things for granted. Everybody wants change at the end of the Presidential term and it is the same old thing everytime. Nothing ends up getting changed from a change in political parties. You watch, after the next election, 4 or 8 years later, you will hear the same things you hear now. Go ahead and write down a list of the problems facing the country and pull it out 8 years from now and see those problems still on your list, only they might be in different order. I am happy with the opportunity to make my life what I choose to make it and appreciate what I have. I think the war in Iraq has people flustered and upset. And this trickles down to other problems.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 May 07
Kinda had the feeling it didn't sound like Jay Leno, and I was right http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/hitnail.asp And I don't quite share the rose-coolored glasses of what theis country has been like since January of 2001, but that should be of no surprise to you :-)
1 person likes this
13 May 07
Well it's not for me to really say. Although I have noticed a few being this way especially people my age and younger. (over here we have it quite bad too) Having said this, most of the majority which I've found and become friends with are not. I guess it just depends on how they've been brought up, since if your brought up with respect etc you wouldn't be greatful. (being spoiled isn't that bad, because there's an easy solution on how to stop it) Kudos, ~Joey
1 person likes this
• United States
13 May 07
jay leno and his garage full of antique cars needs to shut up. a celebrity calling most of america spoiled when we have things like paris hilton running around is just hilarious. yea,there are some people who are definetly spoiled,but in the meantime,a lot of us are living paycheck to paycheck with no health insurance,and choosing between lights and food. unless he considers heat spoiled.
@us2owls (1681)
• United States
13 May 07
Thanks ShadyGrove I loved reading every word of it. I am from Illinois but in the UK at present - wonder what many of these Americans that are complaining would do if they were like a lot of people here. These people have worked all their lives and lived all their lives in the UK. They go to the Post Office to collect their pensions - same as our Social Security and there is a queue in front of them - all immigrants - some illegal and besides living in totally free housing they draw more weekly than those who have worked and paid taxes. All I can say is I am proud to be an American, I am grateful to our military and even though George Bush hasn't got everything right he at least helped rid the world of a dictator. Stop complaining America - live the abundant life you have been blessed with. God Bless the USA
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
18 Oct 09
No I do not, there are a lot of americans now who are out of jobs,we are not spoiled we are getting desparate and its time that somebody did something about it, not all americans have plushy jobs, not all Americans have apts. or homes, we need to help the people who have been pushed out of their jobs, and it needs to be done now. this is a yr old discussion, well that year has brought a lot of us so called spoiled Americans to our knees. we are in a depression, we need help now this year.