The worst thing about being an American,...is the betrayal.

[Carl]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3079023

sicksicksick_N_tired  (1000+ posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 06:43 PM
Original message
The worst thing about being an American,...is the betrayal.
   I was "taught" from birth "American Values": work hard for your life, contribute to the community and be law-abiding ---> you will succeed and acquire "THE American Dream".

I didn't have a CHANCE!!!!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!

DUmba$$

leftofthedial (1000+ posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 06:46 PM
Response to Original message
1. sucka!
   they saw you coming!



me too.



crime pays in Murka. period.

OwnedByFerrets (1000+ posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 06:48 PM
Response to Original message
2. For MOST,
   the American Dream is dead...whether they realize it or not.

For those who are not DUmmies the American Dream is alive and stronger than ever.

elador (615 posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 07:48 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. it's working great for me
   many in my family and many of my friends.

i have seen it repeated over and over again, in this great nation

you can naysay all you want, and deny reality

a huge part was taking my grandfather 's advice (who lived through the depression) : investing EVERY MONTH w./o fail in a basic diversified mutual fund

i've done that since i was 18, and it's been a major wealth builder.

when i started i could barely afford $50 a month

but through the wonder of capitalism, compounding, and access to great companies - it worked.

Ruh-roh.

Stargazer99 (658 posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 09:02 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. What if that $50 per month was a choice between rent, gas to get to
   work, a doctor's care or dental work? You are not in the same catagory as many Americans

In other words..."Damn you for not claiming to be suffering".

selador (615 posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 07:46 PM
Response to Original message
4. i was taught, and it was correct
   that if you do the above you have the best chance to achieve the american dream

there are no GUARANTEES nor are they implied in the greatest wealth creation system ever devised by man- capitalism

fwiw, i have achieved the american dream through hard work, contribution and being law abiding, and see umpteen examples of the same

i have seen many people who have, through little to no fault of their own - fallen on hard times.

i have seen FAR FAR more who primarily fail because of their own behaviours.

i have also seen the US has among the highest income quintile mobility in the world.

the dream is achievable

Just won`t give up independent thinking huh?

Stargazer99 (658 posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 09:00 PM
Response to Reply #4
6. For many Americans the dream is not achievable
   to think otherwise is to be in denial or uninformed. If you've made it through good guidance be happy but do not critize others who may not have had your advantages.

treestar  (1000+ posts)         Sat Mar-29-08 09:03 PM
Response to Reply #4
8. Oh please! You and your family were luck, and I and my family
   are lucky, but let us not pretend that luck does not have a great deal to do with it! You have no right to judge those who started out without the advantages you have, and no right to feel superior to them when you started out from the middle class.

Pretty difficult to see someone not feeling sorry for themselves isn`t it?

Karenina  (1000+ posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 09:47 PM
Response to Original message
9. That's why I voted with my feet.

Remind me some day to miss you.

[Chris_]

I wonder what Selador would like on his/her tombstone.   I can hear the granite being chipped at right now.

It's a real shame the DUmmies choose to be cynical and not even TRY to do anything about it.  Yes, you have to work if you want to move up in the world, and prove yourself valuable enough to the employer so they will give you a raise.  Effort and quality are needed, and that is something they just don't seem to get.  They want everything handed to them, without having to earn it. 

Typical day at the DUmp, as usual. 

[Red October]

I wonder what Selador would like on his/her tombstone.   I can hear the granite being chipped at right now.

It's a real shame the DUmmies choose to be cynical and not even TRY to do anything about it.  Yes, you have to work if you want to move up in the world, and prove yourself valuable enough to the employer so they will give you a raise.  Effort and quality are needed, and that is something they just don't seem to get.  They want everything handed to them, without having to earn it. 

Typical day at the DUmp, as usual. 

Oh no, ACC, it has nothing to do with hard work or perseverence.  It's luck.  All luck.  Bill Gates was driving to his job at a Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Cone stand one day and a billion dollars fell off the back of a truck.

[guest]

I wonder what Selador would like on his/her tombstone.   I can hear the granite being chipped at right now.

It's a real shame the DUmmies choose to be cynical and not even TRY to do anything about it.  Yes, you have to work if you want to move up in the world, and prove yourself valuable enough to the employer so they will give you a raise.  Effort and quality are needed, and that is something they just don't seem to get.  They want everything handed to them, without having to earn it. 

Typical day at the DUmp, as usual. 

Oh no, ACC, it has nothing to do with hard work or perseverence.  It's luck.  All luck.  Bill Gates was driving to his job at a Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Cone stand one day and a billion dollars fell off the back of a truck.

Smart ass!   

This issue is one of the bigger pet peeves I have with liberals.  I'm a college student who has struggled, but I'm not going to take the cynical attitude that others my age have (yes, the whole liberal "it's all about luck" meme is largely affecting people here who are just starting out.  Even teenagers are believing the BS).

[Dixie*Darling]

Oh dear God in Heaven!

"Wah wah wah, I didn't get mines!"

With stupid defeatist, victim attitudes you won't get shit!  Expecting "entitlements" as if you could make them your livelihood.  What a bunch of farking idiots!  Get off your collective asses!  Contribute to society instead of being a drain on it!

[Red October]

I wonder what Selador would like on his/her tombstone.   I can hear the granite being chipped at right now.

It's a real shame the DUmmies choose to be cynical and not even TRY to do anything about it.  Yes, you have to work if you want to move up in the world, and prove yourself valuable enough to the employer so they will give you a raise.  Effort and quality are needed, and that is something they just don't seem to get.  They want everything handed to them, without having to earn it. 

Typical day at the DUmp, as usual. 

Oh no, ACC, it has nothing to do with hard work or perseverence.  It's luck.  All luck.  Bill Gates was driving to his job at a Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Cone stand one day and a billion dollars fell off the back of a truck.

Smart ass!   

This issue is one of the bigger pet peeves I have with liberals.  I'm a college student who has struggled, but I'm not going to take the cynical attitude that others my age have (yes, the whole liberal "it's all about luck" meme is largely affecting people here who are just starting out.  Even teenagers are believing the BS).

I remember seeing a psychic sub-forum on DU once.  Well, not many people know this, but I'm a bit of a psychic myself.  Twenty years from now, I forsee you telling us about your new house while sicksicksick and left of dial are complaining about President so-and-so robbing them of their jobs, their dignity, and their ability to achieve an orgasm.

[LadyLiberty]

"Luck" is what the DUmmies use as a copout for being losers in life 

It waxes and soothes their failing conscience(s), because after all, they  just happened to get the short end of the stick in the game of life 

[Chris_]

I wonder what Selador would like on his/her tombstone.   I can hear the granite being chipped at right now.

It's a real shame the DUmmies choose to be cynical and not even TRY to do anything about it.  Yes, you have to work if you want to move up in the world, and prove yourself valuable enough to the employer so they will give you a raise.  Effort and quality are needed, and that is something they just don't seem to get.  They want everything handed to them, without having to earn it. 

Typical day at the DUmp, as usual. 

Oh no, ACC, it has nothing to do with hard work or perseverence.  It's luck.  All luck.  Bill Gates was driving to his job at a Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Cone stand one day and a billion dollars fell off the back of a truck.

Smart ass!   

This issue is one of the bigger pet peeves I have with liberals.  I'm a college student who has struggled, but I'm not going to take the cynical attitude that others my age have (yes, the whole liberal "it's all about luck" meme is largely affecting people here who are just starting out.  Even teenagers are believing the BS).

I remember seeing a psychic sub-forum on DU once.  Well, not many people know this, but I'm a bit of a psychic myself.  Twenty years from now, I forsee you telling us about your new house while sicksicksick and left of dial are complaining about President so-and-so robbing them of their jobs, their dignity, and their ability to achieve an orgasm.

    You get a high-5 for that.

[RedTail]

Oh Jesus Tapdancing Christ!!

My parents came off the plane in the 1970's with little education but with one of those things the DU seems to hate... a <whispers> Work Ethic.

30 years later, my mom's finally retired with a healthy pension. . .my dad still works and has never been out of work for long. . .as far as they're concerned, this American thing worked out pretty good for them.

But because my parents didn't act like victims sucking off the teat of the state, it seems not to be valid to the DU. They can kiss my parents ass.

*Red*

[Airwolf]

Lets make this an even meaner thing to do to the liberals at DU by providing them with the names of other liberal moonbats that have gotten rich the old fashion way. They worked for it. They may not be worth their pay but they work for it none the less.

Tom Cruise

Oprah

Warren Buffett

Jane Fonda

Ted Turner - ( He seems to own a large chunk of Nebraska)

Katie Couric

Theres alot more but those people just didn't wake up rich beyond the wildest dreams of some cheeto eatin fool on DU.

[dandi]

The worst thing about being an American,...is...

Not being able to get a truly good calzone.  

"Luck" is what the DUmmies use as a copout for being losers in life 

It waxes and soothes their failing conscience(s), because after all, they  just happened to get the short end of the stick in the game of life 

The old saying is true: "The harder I work, the luckier I get." 

[Lord Undies]

The American dream is obtainable if you DUmmies would invest your dope money instead of letting it go up in smoke.

[Duke Nukum]

Color me Pollyanna, whoever that was, but the way we think about things determines a lot about how we will do in life.  Even if every one of those "I'm not lucky DUmmies" hit the lottery, they would still be poor because they think poorly.  

If you think there's a way, you will find it.  If you are absolutely convinced there is no way and the cards are stacked against you you probably will end up posting in DUmmie Land.  You will probably eke by but you'll never feel lucky or grateful for it.

And feeling lucky and grateful is the key to being lucky and happy.

The most amazing thing about reality is how unreal it is and how malleable it is to our way of thinking.

Just try being happy.  Look for reasons to be happy.  Be glad every time you find something to be happy about and you will develop a mental habit of happiness.  And you will be happy. If you are happy, you are more open to more options in life and you will naturally have more of what you want.

It's not like any of this is brain salad surgery.  It is simple cause and effect.

It is so simple that the DUmmies have to work really, really hard to screw it up this badly.

The DUmmie who voted with her feet is still probably miserable because no matter how far or fast she runs, there she'll still be.  She may as well have it out with herself once and for all.

[dandi]

Oh Jesus Tapdancing Christ!!

My parents came off the plane in the 1970's with little education but with one of those things the DU seems to hate... a <whispers> Work Ethic.

30 years later, my mom's finally retired with a healthy pension. . .my dad still works and has never been out of work for long. . .as far as they're concerned, this American thing worked out pretty good for them.

But because my parents didn't act like victims sucking off the teat of the state, it seems not to be valid to the DU. They can kiss my parents ass.

*Red*

That's because your parents weren't raised on a steady diet of "you can't make it in America, The Man will always keep you down." They were too "ignorant" (by Leftist standards) to know they were supposed to be victims. Consequently, they behaved as  normal, well-adjusted people. Raised a pretty smart girl, too.

I see new immigrant families of all races and nationalities come to the U.S., sometimes penniless, and within one or two generations have successful lives, jobs, businesses, their own piece of the pie. Then I see people whose families have been here for generations sitting around jobless, unambitious, apathetic, lazy, whining about how they just can't get ahead. I don't want to hear it.

[BlueStateSaint]

The worst thing about being an American,...is...

Not being able to get a truly good calzone.  

"Luck" is what the DUmmies use as a copout for being losers in life 

It waxes and soothes their failing conscience(s), because after all, they  just happened to get the short end of the stick in the game of life 

The old saying is true: "The harder I work, the luckier I get." 

Ain't that the truth.

A baseball-related note here:  Pedro Martinez says that he doesn't want people to wish him luck, as he says, "I want people to wish me good health.  If I have that, I can make my own luck."  He may be from the Dominican, but he's got the American work ethic down pat (and he became an American citizen last year).

[DumbAss Tanker]

sicksicksick_N_tired  (1000+ posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 06:43 PM
Original message
The worst thing about being an American,...is the betrayal.

True, but we have to let you vile bastards vote anyway.

 

[TheSarge]

icksicksick_N_tired  (1000+ posts)        Sat Mar-29-08 06:43 PM
Original message
The worst thing about being an American,...is the betrayal.
   I was "taught" from birth "American Values": work hard for your life, contribute to the community and be law-abiding ---> you will succeed and acquire "THE American Dream".

I didn't have a CHANCE!!!!

You had the chance...you STILL have the chance.

Your problem is you don't want the chance being given to you.

It requires work you're unwilling to do.

[NHSparky]

Well, primitives, maybe if the government you knew and loved so much didn't take 50 percent of your paycheck...

...oh, wait.  No job, no paycheck, no taxes.  Guess that 50 percent they take from me is going to YOU.  Who needs luck when you're waking-and-baking on your mom's couch waiting for the welfare check?

[Bondai]

99.999999999% of the obstacles that you encounter in your life were placed there by yourself, it's a cold hard fact, deal with it.

[Carl]

99.999999999% of the obstacles that you encounter in your life were placed there by yourself, it's a cold hard fact, deal with it.

I just read through the thread over there again and the self pity and envy has reached a new high.

What a pathetic,pitiful bunch of losers and crybabies.

[Chris_]

treestar  (1000+ posts)         Sat Mar-29-08 09:03 PM
Response to Reply #4
8. Oh please! You and your family were luck, and I and my family
   are lucky, but let us not pretend that luck does not have a great deal to do with it! You have no right to judge those who started out without the advantages you have, and no right to feel superior to them when you started out from the middle class.

How is simply explaining what he/she did to achieve the "American Dream" passing judgment or insulting, etc.? The American Dream is not finite and it's not the same for everyone. For a bunch of people who try to convince each other they're all about compassion and don't care about material possessions, they always seem to measure success and happiness by how much money they have (or don't have). Granted, I'm just a housewife which in DUmmie-land is sort of like being the anti-Christ, but I still think liberty trumps everything. Money lost can be re-earned liberty is a divine gift. Just once in a while they might consider the high price others have paid and continue to pay just so they can remain free (to bitch and moan about everything). They could be "poor" and living in Darfur. I supposed it's easier to live in denial than counting one's blessings. To admit they're miserable and angry while living in the greatest country on earth they'd have to face what depressing losers they are.

Cindie

[DixieBelle]

Luck is just DUmmie code for: I'm too lazy/stupid/bitter/unhinged to work for it like everyone else so I'll chalk it up to luck and excuse myself from putting in the time and effort.

This is America. Not some Communist hellhole or some Socialist "paradise". Barring any unusual circumstance, all of us have the same chance at making it.

They should be ashamed. Especially when people who had three strikes against them and no expectations beyond being a burden, have managed to become successful and wealthy.

[Carl]

treestar  (1000+ posts)         Sat Mar-29-08 09:03 PM
Response to Reply #4
8. Oh please! You and your family were luck, and I and my family
   are lucky, but let us not pretend that luck does not have a great deal to do with it! You have no right to judge those who started out without the advantages you have, and no right to feel superior to them when you started out from the middle class.

How is simply explaining what he/she did to achieve the "American Dream" passing judgment or insulting, etc.? The American Dream is not finite and it's not the same for everyone. For a bunch of people who try to convince each other they're all about compassion and don't care about material possessions, they always seem to measure success and happiness by how much money they have (or don't have). Granted, I'm just a housewife which in DUmmie-land is sort of like being the anti-Christ, but I still think liberty trumps everything. Money lost can be re-earned liberty is a divine gift. Just once in a while they might consider the high price others have paid and continue to pay just so they can remain free (to bitch and moan about everything). They could be "poor" and living in Darfur. I supposed it's easier to live in denial than counting one's blessings. To admit they're miserable and angry while living in the greatest country on earth they'd have to face what depressing losers they are.

Cindie

With that you have very succinctly summed up libthink.

They pretend to be "caring" for the downtrodden but all they ever really do is bemoan the fact that they don`t have things they want given to them or (horrors) they somehow have to work for and earn them.

[DixieBelle]

^see my post about The Joy of Despair.

[Carl]

^see my post about The Joy of Despair.

Growing up here on the farm we were dirt poor,no bicycles,nothing frivilous.
Yes there was the land which was a positive in a debt/equity ratio but day to day living was on a shoestring.

I have worked to overcome that and although not rich in anyones eyes I do okay for now.
You learn and grow,it isn`t difficult.