I expect answers!!!!

A friend sent me an e-mail of an essay that was attributed to Jay Leno. While I like Leno, I didn't think it sounded like him, so I checked with my friends at snopes.com. It was indeed, NOT Jay Leno but a gentleman called Craig T. Smith that wrote the following essay:

"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's of the citizenry
just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What we are 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
thelast year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive 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.

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 percent 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
percent 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 inthe 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.

I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and
has no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent
approval rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in
the darkdays after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an economy
out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in
thebook for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe
from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army
that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did
this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look
around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think
about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused
you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss
your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have
volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom.
There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.
They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an
''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable''
discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent
ofAmericans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it
bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a
car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade
at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit
corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend
their actions by"justifying" them in one way or another.

Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a
book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this
way......Insane! Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media.
Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of
your birdcage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a
country.

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. "

I would expect that at least one or two of my readers are in the 69% of those who are unhappy, so let's hear your answers to these questions.

Thoughts anyone?