Thread: Why are Americans so angry?

HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS
Before the U.S. House of Representatives
June 29, 2006

"I have been involved in politics for over 30 years and have never seen the American people so angry. It’s not unusual to sense a modest amount of outrage, but it seems the anger today is unusually intense and quite possibly worse than ever. It’s not easily explained, but I have some thoughts on this matter. Generally, anger and frustration among people are related to economic conditions; bread and butter issues. Yet today, according to government statistics, things are going well. We have low unemployment, low inflation, more homeowners than ever before, and abundant leisure with abundant luxuries. Even the poor have cell phones, televisions, and computers. Public school is free, and anyone can get free medical care at any emergency room in the country. Almost all taxes are paid by the top 50% of income earners. The lower 50% pay essentially no income taxes, yet general dissatisfaction and anger are commonplace."

Video:
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?doc...icans+So+Angry

Entire transcript:
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/co...6/cr062906.htm

Low inflation? The inflation rate is twice that of the average wage raise percentage, and the writer says we have low inflation? That is funny.

Free medical care? Last time I went to the emergecny room, I got billed two years wages ($40,000,000). I have trouble calling that free.

Lower 50% pay essentially no income taxes? I earned below th poverty level in income and paid nearly 35% of my check to taxes.

I think the writer of this article dos not know many Americans outside of his/her influence circle.

I am not angry, but frustration is abundant.

YOW! Somebody's dreaming there. Free health care? Where? Did I miss that train or is my $240 a month for health insurance just a figment of my imagination?
I pay almost 33% in income taxes.
This guy is on drugs.
Horsepoo.
He needs a dose of reality.
Purrs,
Pookie

He's absolutely spot on about the war, all the endless government deception, and opressive foreign agenda. It almost sounds likes he's talking about Canada instead with regards to health care. As for Taxes I don't see it either, and would lke to see additional data towards his conclusions.

The US govt is always creating some new enemy to fight. It's a huge crock of deception and lies in that regard.

Excellent words imo.

Originally Posted by davideyoung

Last time I went to the emergecny room, I got billed two years wages ($40,000,000). I have trouble calling that free.

I am not angry, but frustration is abundant.

Holy crap!!!! In Canada it's all free with minor exceptions. My mother was in the hospital for 6 months and it didn't cost her a cent. The last 2 months she had her own large private room even free of charge.

I would be mighty pissed if I had to pay $40 large at a hospital. Whoa...that sucks man. I feel for ya.

Canadians are much more pissed at Bush than the average American. We just can't believe so many to the south put up with it.

Then there's the supporters Ooo won't go there...grrr.. :roll:

Those facts seem skewed... except for the one about the poor not really all being that poor... I mean, I'm poor... but I don't go hungry, I watch TV, I have the internet...you wanna see a poor mammajamma, drive through some ghetto in western Iraq. That's friggin poor. and they have it better than some.

Ok, that said... Paying 33% of your income into taxes for every freedom and program your country affords you? Get over it... God... it's almost like you think the government just pulls money out it's a hole. No... we pay for it... Fact of life, get over it.

And the people are mad because they don't realize how much they have to be happy about... or they're mad at other people for being mad over stupid stuff, like me

deleted

Originally Posted by MBuchanan84

dude... big lebowski... sorry about that. I got a bit out of hand. Canada kicks ass. just throwing that out there. And any person from any other country has every right to be interested in Americas affairs... we kinda have alot to do with everything, it seems like. Sorry, again. Live vicariously through us if you want

why should I care that you're gov't is fucking up the planet? Butt out?.. Why doesn't the US Gov't do the same but all over the world. You are exactly your own problem. Trust me none is living through you guys one bit...quite the opposite.

hmm...do you even care (or know) what's going on in the world?

I do.

One more thing. I'm not radical about anything. Not anymore. Once when I was 11 my mom gave me pink hair for a halloween costume... that's about as radical as I've ever been. Oh, it's brown again now... in case you were wondering.

Maybe I'm a bit radical about protecting friends and family... but that's not a bad thing I don't think.

You're right... about my post being typically arrogant American. That's why as soon as I wrote it I wrote a second post apologizing. I was trying to show that I realized my attitude was out of line. Ok, now I'm posting what i just posted in different words. Hope you get the idea. sorry again. But the Blue Jays DO suck, and I'm sticking by that.

Originally Posted by MBuchanan84

Jeeze man... I made the extra effort to write a second post apologizing and stating that your nation kicks ass... what more do you want? And I do my best to stay current in world affairs, sorry if I have a life that doesn't allow me all the time I want to do the things I want... if I had the time, I'd do my best to know more... I said I was sorry, and I said I understood why you follow Americas affairs closely, since they tie into world affairs quite often. Jesus... what more do you want? I mean, I'll rub your feet if you want but that's kinda gay, you know?

edited - reason: pointless misunderstanding.