life in these United States

**nonsqtr** · 16th October 2009 10:09 AM

Well boys and girls, here's what I see:

The seniors have to suffer 'cause our Congress critters want pork.

The taxpayers have to suffer 'cause Citibank and AIG and GM are run by a bunch of incompetents.

The middle class has to suffer 'cause the poor people need insurance.

Lots of suffering goin' on....

And meanwhile, the Congress doesn't listen to the People anymore (bailouts? campaign finance? stem cells? long list...)

And, GREEN means more than your vote.

And, the Congress, the President, AND the Supreme Court seem to be IGNORING the Constitution. It seems to mean whatever they want it to mean today.

All this, makes me very unhappy. This is not the American Dream!

If your American Dream is to work hard so you can buy your own house and eventually own it free and clear, ...

The words "good luck" come to mind....

**michaelr** · 16th October 2009 10:12 AM

Todays American dream is to keep your job, and move in with your family. Tomorrow it will be different, it will mean, eating at soup kitchens, and finding a dry spot to sleep.

**Helena** · 16th October 2009 10:14 AM

Your cold drinks are too cold (WTF is up with all that ice? when it's cold and raining outside at that??) and your hot drinks are too hot (when I order coffee or tea, I'm planning on drinking it sometime in the foreseeable future, not on fiddling around with the insanely multi-layered thermally insulated cup for 30 minutes).

**Bourne** · 16th October 2009 10:14 AM

I like soup. Lobster bisque is my favorite. Of course, good old fashioned cream of mushroom soup is great too. With a slice of toasted french bread.

**Amit** · 16th October 2009 10:45 AM

[quote name='Helena' date='16 October 2009 - 12:14 PM' timestamp='1255709680' post='39305']

Your cold drinks are too cold (WTF is up with all that ice? when it's cold and raining outside at that??) and your hot drinks are too hot (when I order coffee or tea, I'm planning on drinking it sometime in the foreseeable future, not on fiddling around with the insanely multi-layered thermally insulated cup for 30 minutes).

[/quote]

I've actually put some thought into this, spending enough time in Europe. I think the problem is that the US has portion sizes which are significantly larger than yours. The ice and extra heat reflect the need to either keep it cold for longer or hot for longer. Well, in the case of ice, it's also used to make something that is large, HUGE by comparison. I bet in a super sized soda there is a 50/50 soda/ice mixture, although I only have observational data to back that sucker up

**Djinn** · 16th October 2009 10:55 AM

[quote name='PoliticalHotwire' date='16 October 2009 - 12:45 PM' timestamp='1255711506' post='39313']

I've actually put some thought into this, spending enough time in Europe. I think the problem is that the US has portion sizes which are significantly larger than yours. The ice and extra heat reflect the need to either keep it cold for longer or hot for longer. Well, in the case of ice, it's also used to make something that is large, HUGE by comparison. I bet in a super sized soda there is a 50/50 soda/ice mixture, although I only have observational data to back that sucker up

[/quote]

Trying to get a glass of ice water while in Italy was a major ordeal. I'm not even convinced there's an Italian word for "ice." I mean, there probably was once, long ago, but after the glaciers passed, it fell into disuse.

**boontito** · 16th October 2009 11:07 AM

[quote name='PoliticalHotwire' date='16 October 2009 - 09:45 AM' timestamp='1255711506' post='39313']

I've actually put some thought into this, spending enough time in Europe. I think the problem is that the US has portion sizes which are significantly larger than yours. The ice and extra heat reflect the need to either keep it cold for longer or hot for longer. Well, in the case of ice, it's also used to make something that is large, HUGE by comparison. I bet in a super sized soda there is a 50/50 soda/ice mixture, although I only have observational data to back that sucker up

[/quote]

Well, bigger is better is an American thing.

I think you're right, I remember in my teens that I couldn't wait to go to 7-11 for a Big Gulp. I mean, 32 OUNCES of Pepsi! Oh, embrace the excess! Then came the Super Big Gulp... 44 OUNCES! Who could really drink that much pop in one sitting? It was a badge of honor to finish it. "Man, did you see how fast he drank that 44!?!?" Then, the Double Big Gulp came on the scene, 64 OUNCES, and the immediate reaction was to grab a girl and get two straws, because obviously that drink was not made for one mere human.

Flash forward to today and most places have larges that are 32 ounces. The mediums are 16 ounces and just 20 years ago they were the larges. People drinking 44 ouncers are a regular sight, and 64 ounces are reserved for really hot days or after a lot of activity.

The 5 gallon bucket gulp is coming soon.

**freckles** · 16th October 2009 11:48 AM

[quote name='Djinn' date='16 October 2009 - 12:55 PM' timestamp='1255712148' post='39320']

Trying to get a glass of ice water while in Italy was a major ordeal. I'm not even convinced there's an Italian word for "ice." I mean, there probably was once, long ago, but after the glaciers passed, it fell into disuse.

[/quote]

I felt the same way with the word 'deoderant' there....

**Gypsy** · 16th October 2009 11:51 AM

[quote name='Helena' date='16 October 2009 - 11:14 AM' timestamp='1255709680' post='39305']

Your cold drinks are too cold (WTF is up with all that ice? when it's cold and raining outside at that??) and your hot drinks are too hot (when I order coffee or tea, I'm planning on drinking it sometime in the foreseeable future, not on fiddling around with the insanely multi-layered thermally insulated cup for 30 minutes).

[/quote]

Try putting the ice cubes in the coffee!

**Formative Years** · 16th October 2009 11:52 AM

[quote name='nonsqtr' date='16 October 2009 - 12:09 PM' timestamp='1255709365' post='39302']

The middle class has to suffer 'cause the poor people need insurance.

Lots of suffering goin' on....

[/quote]

The middle class has to suffer because the rich need to get richer, and the government is more than happy to assist them in doing so.