Why are Americans so darn happy?
posted at 6:59 pm on January 7, 2008 by Bryan
And why do we seem to want to change everything?
Here’s something I don’t get about the whole “change” mantra that’s sweeping the country right now: What specifically does everyone want changed? Ask ten different people and you’ll get ten different answers. Well, after 6 of them answer “get Bush out.”
People do realize, though, that change can make things worse? Given the state of things right now, change is more likely to make things worse than to make them better. Granted, we’re at war, but most of the country isn’t directly touched by that war yet, and the wars we are fighting are in part premised on preventing wider, more dangerous wars from breaking out. You might answer back that we’re all touched by the Patriot Act and whatnot, but whatever security measures we have to deal with today pale in comparison to curbs on freedoms during some previous wars.
You could argue that the economy is headed for recession, but compared to downturns of the past, it’s not likely to be that bad. We’re unlikely to see, for instance, 10% unemployment or interest rates above 20% as we saw during the Carter years. Gas prices are high, but they’re not so high that they’re changing behavior yet, and we aren’t rationing or waiting in lines hours long to get gas. Etc etc. By nearly any standard you can apply, Americans are happy and content. And we have reasons to be that way.
Change the personnel in Washington? Fine. Most of the people there would be more useful if they were doing something else, and the town could use some fresh minds. But make sure the change you want and seek is a good one. It would be all too easy to make change for its own sake and get pain in the bargain.
Blowback
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Agreed, Bryan
I just think there are too many people out there with false fears, and they want someone telling them terrorism isn’t around the corner, we don’t need to fight wars, and you’ll be able to keep that job and house you have.
That and the media’s consistent fear-mongering over the state of our nation.
But when you sit down and look at it, and you have, it is really not that bad and getting better.
conservativejack on January 7, 2008 at 7:02 PM
We’re free. We’re safe. We have the best military in the world. Our laws are designed to protect us – not the government. We don’t burn over 400 cars on New Years Eve (not intentionally, at least). We’re not being overrun by Sharia. We have the ability to improve ourselves…
People dream of living here. I’d say we’re doing pretty well.
amerpundit on January 7, 2008 at 7:03 PM
I wish I could change people’s minds that the president doesn’t have as much power as “everyone” seems to think he has!
SouthernGent on January 7, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Change the freakin’ media. That’s what I’d wanna change.
TABoLK on January 7, 2008 at 7:05 PM
I’m with you on that 100%. To listen to liberals, you’d think that the Constitution has been set aflame and stormtroopers are marking down to kick over your picket fence and shoot the family dog. Bush will leave and guess what? Life will go on!
thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Buyer beware.
infidel on January 7, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Change?
I prefer folding money.
Pablo on January 7, 2008 at 7:07 PM
The Panhellenic Socialist Movement (ΠΑΣΟΚ) swept into power after a one-word campaign: Αλλαγή (“change”).
Tzetzes on January 7, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Because, Happiness is a warm gun?
mad saint jack on January 7, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Be careful where you point that thing!
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Good post Bryan, a good point that needs to be made. I know you wouldn’t agree, but I figure as long as Republicans win about half the time, and Democrats win about the the other half, and nothing much gets done in Washington, we’ll be fine.
RightOFLeft on January 7, 2008 at 7:12 PM
If people don’t remember (or didn’t experience) just how bad things can get, then I strongly recommend they read David Frum’s book about the 1970′s. Whatever is wrong now, it’s nothing compared to what was wrong then.
thirteen28 on January 7, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Spot on Bryan. I’ve been wondering just exactly what you spoke of. I guess I would like to see the election process not be so darn long.. And I would love to see the Clinton’s just be gone.
twiggman on January 7, 2008 at 7:13 PM
I think Americans are living a paradox where we have it so good in this country, yet we have tremendous problems staring us in the face.
I don’t think it’s “Change, because our life sucks”, I think people are saying “Change, because our life is about to suck if we aren’t careful”.
BlackCapitalist on January 7, 2008 at 7:16 PM
I seem to remember learning something in elementary school about our government having an executive, legislative, and judicial branch.
America is far better than some Americans are giving it credit for. If it weren’t I imagine we’d have a mass exodus of some sort.
blankminde on January 7, 2008 at 7:17 PM
I’d be even more happy if the estate tax was permanently abolished, and so was the IRS and replaced by a flat income tax – which by the way you “progressives” means that richer people will be paying more taxes (10% of $100K is more than 10% of $10K) so stop whining about making the rich pay a higher %% tax when all that does is give then incentive to relocate their money outside the U.S.
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Maybe the whole “change” idea is popular because people see disaster coming???
Gas prices are flying up, while the dollar is falling and while the economy is falling, and while the housing market is collapsing. That leaves a depressing look for the future. Then add to that that a majority of people, like myself, want us out of Iraq, while at the same time the president talks about staying there for another 50 years. Add to that, that the war is costing TRILLIONS, when Social Security is going to be bankrupt in the next few decades. Add to THAT that we are fighting, apparently, a long long war against terrorism, but we havent done the first damn thing you should do to solve the problem, secure the borders. Add to that, the fact that there are 20 million illegals in this country which are draining the government of assistance money and ruining both schools and hospitals, especially on border states. Add to that the fact that the government seems to be taking our rights away from us with things like the patriot act, without so much as a constitutional amendment. Add to that, the fact that there really is no difference anymore between a republican or a democrat, both want bigger government, both want the border open, both will basically do only which is ridiculously popular while shying away from anything which might be “tough” or unpopular.
No, I dont see any reason why “change” might be a catch phrase this election season.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Watching Hillary cry. That does it for me.
RedWinged Blackbird on January 7, 2008 at 7:18 PM
I’m pretty happy, but Comgressional term limits would make me a lot happier.
a capella on January 7, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Try again
Strike two
Hits a single.
McCain Feingold. Kelo. Somehow you hit a foul after a single.
….except in Detroit.
Dearborn is near Detroit, right?
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE!!
Fixed
I’m a pessimist. Shoot me.
HerrMorgenholz on January 7, 2008 at 7:21 PM
65 degrees outside. Chocolate chip cookies. Pizza
Jamson64 on January 7, 2008 at 7:21 PM
As for why Americans are so happy, its because most could give a crap about politics.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:21 PM
BC, you know I don’t know about that. Most of the country have never had to go without, unless you talk to the WWII generation. So with that said, most of the Nation walks around with their head in the clouds not realizing what it could be like or how it was and do not give another thought about it. Honestly, I am scared to death if something could happen. Of course I am going off my own thought and opinion, but it isn’t something I haven’t thought of. Just talk to a gen-y or nintendo kid.
But I can say I am content, though I worked the hinny off to get where I am at.
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Well it’s the old New Deal Mantra that “We have to do SOMETHING!”
It starts at the earliest, lowest levels of politics.
Young politicians are taught, however pragmatically, that they must prove their worth to their constituents, and this almost overwhelming means FREE CRAP, C/O GOVERNMENT ENTITY ___, and as the ambitions lead them higher, bigger things must be garnered.
When candidates realize that they must promise to limit such things so they may be elected to office, they soon abandon those “promises” upon victory. Not so much out of dishonesty, but of necessity.
Limiting government largesse is nowhere near as easy to quantify and soundbitize as the alternative.
So more it is.
That is why I personally hold little hope of any politician ever actually limiting government influence through entitlements.
The whole damn thing is Catch 22, and neither officeholder nor constituent can really do any thing about that.
Mindfists on January 7, 2008 at 7:24 PM
What I want changed?
1. I want the feds to get out of the things they don’t need to be involved in (education) and focus on the things they do need to be involved in (border security).
2. I want the tax code simplified so I don’t have to consult it every time I want to do something.
3. I want to fix the lobbyist and corruption issue by lowering the federal tax rate and dramatically reducing the amount of give-aways.
4. I want a bill that bans earmarks unless the budget is balanced.
5. I want social security to be partially privatized and the remaining part to be transformed into a type of retirement-income insurance program instead of being an entitlement. (What’s the point of the gov taking my money and holding it for me for 40 years?)
Anyway… that’s not all of it, but it’s a start.
Spolitics on January 7, 2008 at 7:25 PM
I think the answer to Bryan’s question why do we seem to want to change everything? comes from the fact that things are going so well.
Australia went through exactly through the same thing during its Federal election. On paper Howard’s government looked unbeatable – excellent economic growth, virtually zero industrial action, less than 4% unemployment, generally low inflation and interest rates.
However after 11 years of incumbency there was a mood that it was ‘time for a change’ for no other reason than the electorate was bored.
In fact, one major newspaper in its campaign coverage graphics depicted Howard’s government as the comfortable but worn old sofa and Rudd’s opposition as a sleek, trendy new sofa.
Unfortunately there is a great deal of short sighted thinking that presumes all of these great living conditions are part of the status quo and that it doesn’t take a lot of hard work to maintain it.
– Nora
The Thin Man Returns on January 7, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Hot Air! That’s why.
Weight of Glory on January 7, 2008 at 7:26 PM
muyoso
I look at this as the time to BUY STOCKS at lower prices. When given lemons, try to make lemonade (that is a Rush quote too, not an Obama one).
Democrats voted agasint the same SS reform that they were pondering before Bush was elected,
we leave iraq now, Al Q will declare another victory (like somalia) even though they never won squat, and without our muscle to support the iraqis who ARE TAKING OVER (I was there by the way) Al Q or Iran would take over…thus making it worse than when now or when Saddam was alive.
Patriot act allowed us ot actually make terror cell busts by breaking down that legal barrier thrown up by the clinton admin which forbid different gov’t agencies from sharing info even to stop crimes. were you ever wire tapped? prpbably not, if you arent doing anything illegal you have nothing to worry about.
I agree on you other points though, but by my input above, we are not as bad off as many people are trying to say by instilling fear (like hte MSM and ACLU, and other far left libs) and then accusing the Bush of using fear for politics.
I’ve never had my privacy violated by the partiot act, then again i am doing nothing illegal.
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Its not about change its about different. Democrats want change because they are the party out of presidentual power.
There are problems in this country. We dont always address them. Democrats want to proliferate government to solve them. Republicans have to be more than just opposed to that.
Politics is always a war of ideas and values. Right now republicans have the values side of it but are lacking in the idea. The dems are the reverse. So the voters are left with choing values vs ideas. Hence the democratic need to argue to ignore our values to go with their ideas as “change
Republicans have to counter that void of not being seen having ideas. The dems do their laundry list of social programs to push their agenda as “change” We have to offer new ideas to counter theirs or we have to hope the American people favor our values over their change.
William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 7:28 PM
And every other political seat as well!!!!!
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:28 PM
I agree Brian…You are right on there. Change can be good and change can be bad….but we are not being affected directly by the majority of things people are screaming about. I just want to make sure that my taxes stay where they are right now…if they go higher than the 40% that I am paying right now I may just scream (or run for office) :)
SoCalInfidel on January 7, 2008 at 7:29 PM
Seems like an awful lot of doom and gloom for the most part. Things aren’t nearly as bad with Iraq as they’re being made out to be. I certainly agree with your frustrations on it all though. I suppose the biggest change I wish I could make would be to somehow give everyone in America the nerve and determination people had 65-75 years ago. We could really use it right now.
blankminde on January 7, 2008 at 7:30 PM
I think many Americans confuse blissful ignorance with good times. The nation slept during the Clinton years and that administration managed to crush/incinerate over 3,000 Americans during the 9/11/01 atrocities. Yet, Hillary’s campaign is based on the fond feelings the Democrat Party has for Bubba.
If “change” means simply ignoring the GWOT and furthering the secular humanist agenda of the left, then Hillary or Obama fits the bill. If change means different ideas after eight years of the Bush administration, elect a Republican or one of the second tier “rats.”
highhopes on January 7, 2008 at 7:31 PM
@ El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:27 PM
The old, “if you arent doing anything illegal, you have nothing to worry about” line is complete BS though. And yes, I had a friend who had his door kicked in and everything imaginable done to him because they “THOUGHT” he could be connected to the whole VT shooter thing. When he was talking to the FBI, face down, in cuffs, and he was like WTF, they kept saying patriot act this, patriot act that.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Because they don’t know wtf is up.
JiangxiDad on January 7, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Umm let me think… gas prices are and can be anywhere from 2.50 a gallon to 4.02 depending on the area of the Nation you are in. I am not sure where you live, but have you ever thought about checking with your State/County and City/Town government concerning the taxes they put on the “gasoline” for your area? Federal Government has a stipulation on what they can tax, then it is up to the State Government Agencies down to County or Municiple then City and Town…. Right now I pay anywhere from 3.01 to 3.75 and UP in my State, and I do not live in California. Interesting how one can complain about oil/gas when they have no clue about what is behind the scense in their own part of the Nation. Stop complaining, you could be in Europe and pay 3.50 a liter in Euro’s. You figure out how much they are paying over there!
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Everything imaginable?
Was he tortured? Raped? Still in jail? Disappeared? Decapitated?
How old was he when they murdered him?
JiangxiDad on January 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM
SoCalInfidel
you are paying that much and Cali is still having that many problems despite being one of the most taxed states in the US? I would have led my own protest rally and maybe even a Boston Tea Party infront of the Gov’s office by now! No i am not a Ron Paul nut.
If people were forced to take more responsibility into their own hands the world would be better off, but that is a long run fix inviolving family values and morals and liberals appear ot bo 100% against that, and no politician will even consider a solution unless it will show most of its results during their term so they can use that as a re-election platform.
short term fixes always yield larger long term problems. higher taxes are no different.
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM
@ blankminde on January 7, 2008 at 7:30 PM
It kinda is as bad as I made it out to be. To delude ourselves that we can actually create a democracy in Iraq is insane. The attacks will never end in Iraq unless one of two things happen:
A) We leave and AQ declared victory or whatever they want, and then the Iraqis kick all of the foreign fighters out of their country
or
B) Iraq returns to an iron fist totalitarian rule.
I am just not optimistic enough to think that Iraq will magically accept democracy, fight against these foreign fighters, and allow us to maintain a military base within their country with an end to all attacks on us and on the Iraqi government. Therefore, I see literally no end to the war, ever.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM
I just so happen to be a generation Y (aka Millennial). And it’s true, I wouldn’t know what it’s like to live in really hard times. But when I see an ever increasing size in the federal government and debt, senior citizens beginning to cash in on their entitlement programs, a potential war with Iran, and a devaluing dollar due to inflation…Who is going to pay for all of this crap? I can’t help but think my generation is going to get screwed over royally .
BlackCapitalist on January 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Gas prices are rising, in part, because the dollar is falling. And the dollar is falling, in part, because of low interest rates. The money you saved on the interest rate to buy your house is now going into your gas tank. But I think you are still ahead on the bargain (unless you’re like me and live in Cali and can’t afford to buy a house).
Spolitics on January 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Congratulations muyoso! You have earned extra potato rations for spreading the misery!
NTWR on January 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM
From that article, this should have been the highlight here Bryan:
There is a similar phenomenon that I highlight here regularly when it comes to views on the economy, and it’s proof positive (as if we needed more) of the extreme left bend in the media. Most people are happy PERSONALLY, but unhappy with “the direction the country is going” (or have negative views of the economy, etc.), but a majority are PERSONALLY happy with their finances and as we saw just this week and EXTREME MAJORITY are happy in general.
This is also a testament to how powerful the MSM remains. Everyone is personally happy but generally unhappy because the media tells them it’s all doom and gloom.
RightWinged on January 7, 2008 at 7:37 PM
@ JiangxiDad on January 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM
No, not anything that brutal. Just cuffed, everything with copper running through it seized, held at gunpoint with an m16, etc. You know standard precedure.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:37 PM
The Democratic Repsonse:
“Damn you happy Americans! We still have a chance to make you miserable yet in 2008!”
Planet Boulder on January 7, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Reminds me of Basic evolutionary/socialist thought…change is inevitable and all change ultimately results in good. Ask the millions of Russians and Chinese wether “ALL” change is good. They think it is because a little short term set back (like murders of millions of people) will eventually result in world peace…never has never will. Ask the fruti fly if mutations caused by radiation (extra legs, no wings, or eyes in wrong place and do not work) are beneficial…all mutations are at best neutral and in most cases lethal…be careful about pursuing change for changes’ sake…you might not like it. That’s why FDT’s answers in recent debate were not only succinct, but timely!
RedLizard64 on January 7, 2008 at 7:38 PM
@ NTWR on January 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM
You see nothing wrong with America? You think we are flawless right now?
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:38 PM
My liberal Democrat ex-wife asked me recently; “Are you better off now than you were 8 years ago?”. I can honestly say “yes”. I think that almost all Americans are unaffected by the Patriot Act and the fact that we have not had another terrorist attack on us speaks volumes. I guess anyone can view the glass as half-empty, but we have much to be thankful for. I wouldn’t trade life in the US with life in any other country in the world.
mogilla on January 7, 2008 at 7:38 PM
muyoso
Inadvertant wrongful arrests have been happening since the creation of law enforcement. That is not the patriot act’s fault. it is the law enforcement officers’ fault for screwing something up.
just because a few guys were exhonerated by DNA for murder that does not mean you get rid of laws relating to murder. accidents happen. and America lets you sue to be rich when it does.
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Hey don’t feel bad BC, I am a Gen XY if you can believe it (possibly poor grammar) You and I at least understand and wonder.
I wonder how the treehuggers will do? LOL
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 7:39 PM
Just reading the Amazon review gave me chills. You can tell how bad the era was by watching the films, if you can find one. The era was so bad it is a blank
I am oafishly happy everytime I pay another month’s utilities. Heat and electricity another 30 days. Yah!
One bad change in our times is the unreliability of our food supply. Find something that tastes good and the next time you buy a bunch a conglomerate will have absorbed the company and changed the ingredients without warning you.
Organic could mean ‘fertilized with pure human manure in China’ and ‘Distributed By’ could mean shipped from the cat and dog processing plant in Shanghai.
Dairies are now required by federal law to tell people that their milk from cows not given hormones is no better than estro-milk. Whenever did the law require a seller put up a sign insisting their product was NOT better than a competitor’s?
Yet I am still happy because I believe life is the good fight, and in the end, God always wins. If God wins, I win. Who wants Satan to win? That would be a 70′s movie
entagor on January 7, 2008 at 7:40 PM
We’re happy because America rocks and we complain about stupid stuff. If we really had big problems to complain about I’d be worried. As long as I hear people complaining about the image of a bookcase in the background looking like a cross, and the prospect of the ‘evil evangelicals’ actually getting to vote in this country. . . I’d say things are pretty good.
We are the most diverse country in the world, and everyone here has an equal opportunity to succeed.
ThackerAgency on January 7, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Milton Friedman used to say he preferred one party in the White House and the other running Congress. It would mean less legislation which would be a good thing. A Do Nothing Congress is vastly underrated.
aengus on January 7, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Again, use this time as a great oppertunity to watch the stocks and funds and start investing. one reason we have market crashes is because people take their money and run when the media hypes up or exaggerates a scare. once people start reinvesting again, the market manages to fix itself – capitolism.
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Change for the sake of change is how we ended up with that lady’s man, Komrade Klinton.
Zorro on January 7, 2008 at 7:42 PM
You know a few years ago people thought there was no chance that we’d have tribal leaders cleaning out their own areas. Everyone thought it was madness that the Iraqis actually hated AQ, and wanted them out of their country as bad as we did.
Have we made some awful decisions? Absolutely. Is this the most complicated engagement we’ve ever faced as a military? I think so. Hardly changes that we’re making progress that most people thought was impossible. I’m not entirely optimistic about Iraq, but the critique is a little long-winded for a comment. I guess that regardless of our stated intent in Iraq, having a presence in that part of the world at this particular time is invaluable to the future security of our way of life. You’re right though. This war won’t end anytime soon.
blankminde on January 7, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Nuff said! I concur
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Good greif so your freind was discomforted for ten minutes just after several people had been murdered and you want us to shed tears over that ?
Again its the “all about me” syndrome. Your poor freind who might have had some connection to the VT massacure is upset because he was forced to answer questions while several people laid dead or dying. Real classy there
William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 7:45 PM
@ El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Oh believe me, I understand and agree with you to some extent. But dont try to explain to me why giving up some of my liberties to protect me from something which is one of the most rare forms of death in the entire US. I mean, why didnt the government want these laws to catch normal muderers in the US, since I am hundreds of times more likely to be murdered than killed in a terrorist attack. Actually, I am tens of times more likely to accidentaly kill myself than to be killed in a terrorist attack, so the government better protect me from myself as well.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:45 PM
@ William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 7:45 PM
You are seriously AWESOME at speaking about things you know nothing about. He was held at gunpoint, had all of his electronics seized, for several months now, and he has no expectation of getting them back. That is TENS of THOUSANDS of dollars of electronics STOLEN from him from the government, but to YOU that is FINE.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:47 PM
William, he is complaining about life all around. He is one of the 2 out of 10 that thinks everyone/thing is out to get him. Heck he didn’t even try to debate me on the gasoline “price gouge”.
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 7:48 PM
@ William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 7:45 PM
People like you are exactly what is wrong with this country. You are so willing to brush off government overreaction/police brutality etc as, “not a problem”, until of course it happens to you, or someone you know.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:49 PM
blankminde on January 7, 2008 at 7:44 PM
The war – GWOT wont end any time soon. they AQ and Muslim Brotherhood have been waging it since the 1980s. the MB even declared their islamization of europe and american then too.
the longer we fight this war half @$$ and complain about terrorists rights instead of supporting the war effort to rid the world of radical islam the longer the war will drag on and the more innocent people will be blown up in more suicide/homocide bombs. and the more we will eventually have problems like europe of muslims refusing to assimilate and follow our own laws, burning cars and shooting at cops (France and Netherlands), and creating no-go zone for nonmuslims (England, France)..etc, etc.
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:51 PM
No, not anything that brutal. Just cuffed, everything with copper running through it seized, held at gunpoint with an m16, etc. You know standard precedure.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Ahem. Any chance you could shed some light on how your totally, like, you know…innocent friend came to be such a
personvictim of interest to theGestapoauthorities?thejackal on January 7, 2008 at 7:51 PM
A lot of people (muyoso sounds like one, at least partially) get their news from stories like this:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/12/28/in_news_2007_was_a_year_of_frustration/
Plug the first few words of that into a search engine and see how many local papers ran it.
Doom and Gloom stuffed into a blender with the standard leftard lines, and then run over the All-Propaganda news wire.
So 70% of Americans say “I’m doing fine, but I worry about my neighbors.” They wind up thinking we’re headed for a full-on depression, even though their own lives are fine.
Rodent on January 7, 2008 at 7:51 PM
The Great Society created with much help from Bill Moyers should be evidence enough that to stray too far off the path that got us here is catastrophic. We all saw the reaction as it played out on national television. Just how helpless a group of citizens totally dependant on the government can become. I am refering to Katrina.
sonnyspats1 on January 7, 2008 at 7:52 PM
@ upinak on January 7, 2008 at 7:48 PM
I didnt even read your post until now. I know about taxes, that isnt the problem in this situation. Explain to me how the cost of a barrel of oil has doubled in under a year. You are claiming that has no impact on price? I am not complainging about life, I am complainging about crap we suppossedly elected Bush to FIX, but he turned out to be a complete fraud. We elected him not to nation build. We elected him to secure the border. We elected him to fix social security. Fail. Fail. Fail. There is plenty to be happy about, but to gloss over what needs to get fixed is doing the country a disservice. I will understand if you need to get back to your television to watch American Gladiators and get your mind off of things which arent fun to think about.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Of course I see things wrong with America! In fact I have a whole list of them!
Here’s a partial excerpt:
Check out the full list. You’ll find I’m just as miserable as you and therefore better than the masses, who obviously don’t care enough.
NTWR on January 7, 2008 at 7:52 PM
Which ones did you give up?
JiangxiDad on January 7, 2008 at 7:52 PM
No all I have is you account of what happened. For all I know your friend might have been involved. And you dont know that for certain either. So accusing me of jumping to conclusions right after you have jumped to conclusions is really laughible.
William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 7:52 PM
@ Rodent on January 7, 2008 at 7:51 PM
No, never read that article. I just see something horrible on the horizon, and I hope that I am wrong, but I seriously think I am not. With the things we are spending money on, and the things we arent spending money on, there is going to be a big clash soon, and it isnt going to be good for the US.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:53 PM
We have a legal system like no other that can help him with that. SUE! Unless they do have evidence, then he may not have a case. any lawyer would be happy to pick up a case like that with his legal feas 100% drawn from the settlement so he would pay nothing for legal fees if he had a case.
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:54 PM
@ William Amos on January 7, 2008 at 7:52 PM
So now I dont know if he was a shooter at VT? He lives 5 minutes away from me, I am fairly 100% certain he wasnt involved, even though blogs liks Hotair fingered him as the shooter.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Why are Americans so darn happy?
Booze baby!!
Your Jewish Master on January 7, 2008 at 7:56 PM
@ El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Believe me, he is. But as long as the case is “open”, nothing can get done. And his lawyer told him, the cases almost always remain “open”.
muyoso on January 7, 2008 at 7:56 PM
William Amos, Myuoso
Justice finally came to the Duke Lacross players. But justice never finally came to the person who filed the bogus charges and lied underoath.
people and the media are notorious for convicting without evidence, and poeple and the media (ACLU and NAACP – and William Jefferson (D) Louisiana especially) are quick to claim innocence without any proof too
If he is innocent, he should get a lawyer to get his stuff back. That is one thing that make America great. our justice system.
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Oh come on Bryan, it so obvious…Americans are so happy because they listened to my music…And what they are happiest about is…That they don’t have to listen to it again…
doriangrey on January 7, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Which rights did he forfeit or have taken from him?
JiangxiDad on January 7, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Buckeyes game time! That is what makes the USA so great!
our quality of life is so rediculously high we are spoiled! and it is unparalleled by any other country! despite what the dems are claiming
El Guapo on January 7, 2008 at 7:59 PM
blankminde on January 7, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Good point. There’s a line from an old Hank,Jr song that says…”did you ever see those refugees headin’ the other way?”.
FishFearMe on January 7, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Why are Americans so darned happy?
We don’t know any better.
Dan Collins on January 7, 2008 at 8:07 PM
I’m sitting in a hotel room in Shanghai, glancing occasionally out to the city beyond. Skyscrapers — like the one I’m in — tower over old housing units, with the laundry lines in the courtyard, and additional apartments put together with scrap material across the flat roofs. The city is this really strange mixture of old and new; and the old definitely looks its age.
As an American here, things are incredibly cheap to me: 81 RMB translates to about an $11 lunch, and what I’m likely to spend on souvenirs for friends and family is something many here could only dream of having.
We already know that many websites are blocked here. Among them are a few we take for granted, including LiveJournal and Wikipedia. To be honest, I’m surprised I can still access HotAir and Michelle’s blog. Those may be the exception to the overall rule, however.
I’ve only been here two days thus far. But what I’ve seen has left me with two impressions: 1) The people here are incredibly industrious, making the best of a situation we might find staggering, and 2) I’m very appreciative of the freedoms we still have back home. A little change now and again is healthy, and we have a nation that can handle it. Whether or not we could handle massive change — such as the socialist system The Hildabeast is offering up — that may be up for debate. Given our current security situation, the 8 Ball tends toward “No.”
I’ll be crossing my fingers and praying. There’s too much at stake this time around.
ScaryBiscuits on January 7, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Refinaries could be one prime example. Do you read stats on anything concerning oil? Or even better natural gas? Please explain to me why many people are paying over 100 dollars a month on heating their house with natural gas, when the stock market only had it at 7.64 a unit today? Natural Gas is a heck of a lot more expensive right now then Oil!
muyoso, I really don’t think you understand taxes in States concerning energy and control. EPA controls a wide assortment of taxes on Gasoline, Diesel and Natural Gas. Especially now that the EPA is not Federal anymore and is mandated by … TA DA, YOUR STATE!
The BBL (blue barrel) of Oil is also mandated by need and interest or necessity. If the refineries can’t get what they are refining (the OIL!) done fast enough, they have a tax put on them! And If they have a surplus of certain types of (multiple) oil, then what can you do but again.. FINE THEM!
Also some refineries are known to only refine certain types of oil.. shale, sweet crude, etc. And in other cases most refineries only refine oil for … are you ready… plastic, due to higher call volume and price difference. Yep that wonderful polymer that everyone in the world uses now.
Please stop while you are ahead.
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 8:12 PM
He is a Ron Paul supporter, do I really need to say any more?
doriangrey on January 7, 2008 at 8:20 PM
muyoso, I’m firmly on your side when it comes to big government and heavy-handed SWAT tactics. Yes, law enforcement needs to be able to do their jobs. But that job includes assuming the people they are arresting are innocent, not expendable criminals.
Rodent on January 7, 2008 at 8:24 PM
You guys are seriously, seriously CRACKING ME UP! If I was a stand-up comedian, the posts from El Guapo, Muyoso, et. al. would provide me months of material!
Could you guys learn to spell, first of all? The typos and poor grammar are killing me. But I digress…
My brother sent this link out to his email list over the weekend and I watched it with my wife yesterday, http://www.storyofstuff.com/. Take the 7 mins or so to watch it, if for no other reason to see how the lefty hell-tank Tides Foundation spins our evil, consumptive ways. Then go back and read the article on this post. Completely opposite on many accounts.
While I DO think we’ve become an overly consumptive society and we CAN be smarter about our natural resources (and those of other countries, frankly), at the end of the day the market forces will prevail. Gas is expensive because there are simply MORE PEOPLE DEMANDING IT! (if those darn Commies would’ve just kept their people in check instead of letting them join our consumptive global economy, dammit!) Supply is pretty much running at full tilt, and until we can come up with an alt fuel that doesn’t require a gallon of gas to make a gallon of it, we’re still on the petro-habit.
Finally….remember when the Japanese were over here buying up all our real estate and fine art in ’90-92? They eventually sold it all back at a loss. I’d recommend following El Guapo’s advice: buy low, sell high baby!
Biffstir on January 7, 2008 at 8:27 PM
…is exactly what most will receive for their efforts. What the he11. Maybe O’BamBam will screw up. We can always hope.
Griz on January 7, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Good points all, Bryan, and thanks for posting this. I see “Now Hiring” signs all over. Most people I know are employed, making money, content if not wealthy…. but they all seem to think that somewhere out there are millions of starving Americans.
The MSM has invented a recession out of whole cloth. Every time there is a good economic indicator, it is announced as being “surprising, given that we are approaching a recession.” Every glum bit of news is trumpeted from the rooftops.
If and when a Democrat president takes the White House, watch how quickly the coverage changes. Within a few months, every little bit of good news that is brushed aside now, such as our low unemployment, will be played as “a turnaround from the Bush years” and every negative thing will be remnants of the “Bush recession.” There will be a recession that never existed, followed by a miraculous turnaround that never happened. And everyone will believe it.
joewm315 on January 7, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Just purchased myself a nice litle two bedroom home near Phoenix for next to nothing… this is a good chance for a lot of people to make some money, you’re absolutely right.
joewm315 on January 7, 2008 at 8:41 PM
Some common sense….
Sir Andrew on January 7, 2008 at 9:19 PM
DOH! I just wasted good information for a rupaulian! geez, could ya had told me sooner! LOL Thanks!
upinak on January 7, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Well said!
greekinfidel on January 7, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Just don’t get your entrails all over my nice clean shoes
entagor on January 7, 2008 at 10:05 PM
How do I feel about being so darn happy when the rest of the world as well as our own liberals are so cranky?
Happy! That’s how I feel, especially with 5 kids, an SUV, two refrigerators, washer & dryer, furnace that runs 24/7, leaky windows, and plenty of wild game to hunt.
And now that I’ve taken away all of your carbon credits, my life is complete… HAHAHAHA!!!!
CliffHanger on January 7, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Oh, and I have a God who loves me in spite of myself.
CliffHanger on January 7, 2008 at 10:15 PM
How can I be so darn happy? I’m divorced and pay child support payments along with any other money my child needs. I had to sell the house we built receiving little profit. I took that little profit and bought a smaller piece of land. I worked 13 hours a day at my job before I came back to that little piece of property to try and build an every other weekend home for my daughter and a place for myself. The TV in my den was bought in 1989 and is nothing like the TV the activist in LA has complaining about her poverty. The TV in my bedroom was a birthday gift in 1982. My child has the unfortunate problem of me being active in her life as well as me being in contact with her teachers to make sure she is doing as well as she can in school. My new vehicle is a 1999 model. I do the things I have to do according to my budget. I am extremely happy that I live in a country where you can accomplish anything you want if you are willing to work your butt off for it.
Les in NC on January 7, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Over New Years, at a party, a couple of
stonersdudes lamented that you can’t get opportunities in this country unless you have money, we have no freedoms, our government is corrupt, blah blah blah.I explained why I’m so happy. I live in the Greatest State in the Greatest Country in the World. I legally immigrated to this Great Country, which makes me happier. I live in Hawai’i, in Hilo the Hula capital of the world. I’m happy I don’t have to look forward to 72 virgins. Can you imagine.
Kini on January 7, 2008 at 10:59 PM
The credit crunch is starting to hit the wider economy. The last credit crunch of this scale was the great depression.
Bill C on January 7, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Not being American I have no opinion on happiness there.
I could not help but listen to muyuso and his/her woeful tale of repression, uncertainty and near despair. I would diagnose your problem as general ignorance of this planets peoples history. You can soothe this by finding out WTF has been and is going on. You can’t identify the players without a program nor should you vote/hire some guy to take care of things for you.
If this were a movie, I’d of prefaced the whole thing by slapping your mug while shouting “calm down, snap out of it!”
BL@KBIRD on January 7, 2008 at 11:15 PM
I meet lots of people screaming and crying about lack of opportunity here, how racist we are, blah blah blah.
I tell those people to travel internationally.
Those Americans who aren’t happy never will be. They aren’t content with what they’ve got; they always want more. They want a better house, a better job, a better wife.
Those of us who are happy are happy because we live in the best country in the world. Best, not perfect. The unhappy think ‘perfect’ is attainable. I’d rather live in the best country than the perfect country.
I will stop babbling now…
mjtyson on January 7, 2008 at 11:38 PM
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