Thus spake former Texas senator and former McCain advisor Phil Gramm recently about Americans. McCain’s campaign promptly took a page from Obama’s playbook and threw him under the “Straight Talk Express” bus.
Of course, Gramm is correct on a number of levels. He was primarily referring to economic issues, but there is something bigger that Americans are constantly whining about:
The United States Government.
Most of us in “flyover country” (as the “elites” on the east and left coasts like to call us) disagree strongly with the way in which our country is being run. Wacko leftists, “progressives”, Democrats, and most in the media (WOW!!! I repeated myself FOUR TIMES in that phrase!!!) disagree strongly with the way in which our country is being run, but from the opposite extreme. Conservatives and a large majority of citizens (is that also redundant? I hope so!) are disgusted at increased government control, increased seizure of income and property, and bureaucratic mismanagement. The liberal wing are disgusted with what they perceive as a lack of effort by the government to alleviate suffering, guarantee equality of outcome regardless of effort, and micromanage all business and personal affairs.
So what do we do? We whine.
My wife has the ultimate answer for the students she teaches when they begin whining about assignments, homework, or general principles:
“SO DEAL WITH IT!!
Not bad advice, that.
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