our pastor read this at service last weekend. he didn't write it, but it is a great perspective on all this is going on...
As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark. 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?'
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 our cars and trucks 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 either.
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% 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% 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 get to live here.
2 comments:
And all the people said...AMEN!
I have seen the article you are referring to - I think it was an email I saw though. I would like to think that most of these people are appreciative of what they have, just that the question was posed more as a political happiness - not so much a personal needs question. I appreciate every ounce of everything I have - famiy, home, grocery store, you, your family the rest of our family - but I am not 100% happy with the way we are perceived by the world and that is mainly due to the politics our country projects impose upon those 30-so-% in our country who don't have all we have and what we are doing within the world (because we do some not so great things). I would like that to change.
You are right though - there are certainly still some spoiled brats out there who believe they deserve things they hardly work to earn. Too bad they aren't you - you truly think of how things will effect others. Another thing I am thankful for.
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