Re: Americans are just spoiled!

brii · ‎06-20-2010

Eve - LOL

Marienkaefer2 · ‎03-09-2010

On 7/2/2014 evelomaddict said:
On 7/2/2014 mominohio said:
On 7/2/2014 TaxyLady said:
In order to combat self centeredness and greed, every American should spend a week in Uganda. I believe they would have a new appreciation for what they have.

And may learn that their lives are full of things they really and truly could live without, thus not really a need.

much like the computers we're using to waste our time on this forum?

hee hee

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.--Marcus Tullius Cicero

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

On 7/2/2014 TheKingsMistress said:
The OP raises some valid points. Some are so defensive, why?

I often ask this when questions like this come up and people who "have" get defensive. No one suggests that it is wrong to want or to have nice things or even be excessive. Yet they lash out. I can only guess that in some way, perhaps their conscience is bothering them. I think many have done well, and live well, but when anyone points out that what they have come to think of as a "need" is indeed not, but a want, they have trouble admitting it, perhaps feeling a little guilty to have so much, when others don't.

That, and we all use the term "need" incorrectly. Like when some folks say, that first thing in the morning they "need" a cup of coffee and such. We all do it, and some have a greater "need" of such things than others, and we all get that. When we go shopping with the girls and say "Oh, I need that purse, it is calling my name" we all understand that they don't really mean "need" in this instance. But somehow, more so all the time, people are really believing that their needs are wants, and again, I'll say it , we (collectively as a society, not any one individual singled out here) are spoiled.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

On 7/2/2014 chrystaltree said:
I don't understand op's rant. Maybe she just "needs" the bare necessities of life. But I NEED a heck of a lot of luxuries in my life. I work hard, I make a good living and I have no desire to live like I'm living in a third world nation. Sorry, basic housing and three square meals and and clean water isn't enough for me. I don't need my material goods and luxuries to live but I do need them to live WELL. Most Americans don't want to just exist, we want live well and prosper and we want to ENJOY the fruits of our labor. Hence the heated toilet seats, central air conditioning, hot tubs and man caves that many people look for when they are purchasing or building a home. It's that love of luxury that spurs on our economy! It's our NEED for more/better/bigger that pushes us to work harder and smarter. It's the American way!

It is our WANT for more/better/bigger, that pushes us to work hard. Our collective level of a high standard of living in this country is not a bad thing, and those who think that is what I was "ranting" about aren't getting my point. My point is that no one "needs" it. They want it, they work for it, and it is the reason we, as a nation, have prospered. There is noting wrong with wanting and having it all, just don't try to pass it off as "need". I think people are trying to sooth their conscience by redefining "need" to include things that are absolutely not a need to anyone any where in order to survive, or even live comfortably (like multiple bathrooms for two people).

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

On 7/2/2014 Tyak said:
On 7/2/2014 deepwaterdotter said:
On 7/2/2014 Tyak said:
OP,

One sentence of your thread said "Many think they are entitled to it." They do. This country has become an entitlement society. And I"m not saying any more.

My neighbors have a house that is twice the size of my home. They have worked hard during their working years and are 'entitled' to spend their money on this larger home.

There's no one more in favor of capitalism and against re-distribution of wealth than I am and that's not the entitlement I was speaking of in my earlier post.

Both types of "entitlement" are rampant in this country. Those who do nothing and expect everything are now being rivaled by those who have been given every thing by their parents and think they are entitled to everything.

brewhaha · ‎07-25-2010

People know what they want and they shouldn't settle for anything less.

NoelSeven · ‎03-09-2010

On 7/2/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:
On 7/2/2014 evelomaddict said:
On 7/2/2014 mominohio said:
On 7/2/2014 TaxyLady said:
In order to combat self centeredness and greed, every American should spend a week in Uganda. I believe they would have a new appreciation for what they have.

And may learn that their lives are full of things they really and truly could live without, thus not really a need.

much like the computers we're using to waste our time on this forum?

hee hee

Yes, our ancestors got along without computers, why can't we? ${#emotions_dlg.biggrin}$

A Thrill Of Hope The Weary World Rejoices

tdog · ‎04-05-2010

I think a lot of it has to do with Madison Avenue and all the glitzy design magazines available. You browse through them enough and you start to feel like your home is missing something. Never mind that most of the homes featured in these magazines are owned by very wealthy people, and the ads are for very high end items. It makes me covet things that I can't afford. Also, a lot of young people were raised in affluent homes with lots of high end appliances and their own bathrooms and big yards for entertaining, and it is only natural that they want these things for their own homes.

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

I haven't read the other posts yet. Maybe later this evening. Anyway, if a family can afford it, have stable jobs, or pay cash for the 'larger', nicer home, it's wonderful. As I said before, it depends on the area and the amount of money the family makes. Could be folks have back-up cash in the bank or they have paid cash for their new homes. Could be that the prices of homes in their area aren't overly expensive, so if one family loses his/her job, they have time to find another job, or just maybe they wouldn't even need that extra paycheck. Lots of variables. For those who live in ultra expensive areas, and who don't make the 'big bucks', it could be more difficult to keep their homes if one family member loses his/her job. Oh, well. All common sense, and I suppose it's been stated here before in previous posts..........(looking for a 'ho-hum' yawning emotion icon.......)

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).

RainyDayGal · ‎03-09-2010

On 7/2/2014 mominohio said:

Both types of "entitlement" are rampant in this country. Those who do nothing and expect everything are now being rivaled by those who have been given every thing by their parents and think they are entitled to everything.

I agree. I remember growing up and my nieces and nephews (who were quite young) complained that they didn't have something and were always jealous what my parents had. My parents were constantly reminded them that they (my parents) actually worked for everything they have, and it didn't happen overnight or just because they wanted it.

Yes, there are plenty of people that won't get off their behinds and work even though they can. They sit back and let the government (you and me) take care of them. And there are those that just expect to have things because they want them. Too many parents giving kids things so they don't know what it's like to work for it, and wait for it. Everything is me, me, me and now, now, now. Parents that constantly give to their kids aren't doing them any favors.