Thank You

11/27/08, Thanksgiving Day

There is confliction as to who is the actual author of this essay -- rumored to be Leno or Letterman, who knows . . . maybe even just some guy . . . but it's fitting for Thanksgiving day. I happen to think most Americans ARE appreciative, but let's remind ourselves. We really do need to give thanks. We are fortunate.

"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. The poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy . . . in essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. I started thinking, "What are we so unhappy about?''

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the

winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. 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?

E. 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?

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. 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.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. 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.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TV's, 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.

L. 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.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

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.

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." -- author apparently unknown