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I do not know but reading the paper and watching the news, it seems that us americans are not a happy nation after all. We have almost everything most nations envy... and we still no happy

Too many killings, too many people suffering stress or other mental problems, too many anger in people for every reason imaginable, divided country, etc.

or is it that we just project a false image to the rest of the world but we actualy lack real happiness as a nation?

gmonster

My opinion on this is that we really are not happy, we worry about everything and everyone is trying to outdo the "jones's". I dont think anybody can just be happy with what they have, they always want more( I am no different).
The stress level in this country is Huge, nobody knows how to relax anymore, everything is rush,rush,rush. I think this plays a huge part in things.
We have doctors prescribing anti-depressants like it is candy, without even really considering why the person is depressed!
Just a few of my thoughts on this situation in America! Good god this is one we could go on and on about there are so many different things!

joerockhead

I disagree. I think as a whole, the nation is happy. The problem is the US Media. They show NOTHING but negative aspects of everything. Negative about the Iraq war, negative about every neighbor hood, negative about the Tsunami.

They do not show the positive things going on
Iraq - More schools, more fresh water, more electricity, more pride then every under Saddam. The Military is trianing men and women to defend thier own country, and to become proud again.

Neighbor hoods - They never show the good deeds people do to help the elderly and less fortunate. Shelters and soup kitchens.

Tsunami - they finally showed some great efforts of the humanitarian support from around the world. the $$ people are poring in, the food being delivered.

There are LOTS of good things about the world, and our country. Just do not watch the crappy News.

124432456

testthemall

I think we are spoiled.

Chameleon Grrl

I don't know about anyone else but I'm not happy because of the horrendous distribution of wealth in this country. It's easy to be happy when you're not worrying about where your next meal will come from. It's easy to be unhappy when you're done busting your ass at a dead-end job so you heat up some ramen yet again, flip on the TV and find out all about the new yacht Michael Jordan just bought for putting a ball in a hoop.
I'm not saying all brokeass people are miserable and all rich people are happy, but generally speaking it's easier to be happy when you're rich.

HIJACKER

I disagree. It doesn't take financial status, wealth, or anything along those lines to make a family happy. It takes one simple ingredient, love.

Out of all the places I have been, I would seriously believe that the happiest people live in the far east. Countries such as China, Japan, Indonesia, India, etc. have the most moral values and build the strongest families. SOme are rich, some are poor, hell.. some spend all day just looking for fresh water, however, each and every one of them have so much love for their family.

There is a fine line that your using to differentiate unhappiness and jealousy. You can't sit there and base your unhappiness on the fact that SOMEONE else bought whatever, or has so much money. Happiness doesn't come from trying to out-do others, it comes from within.

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Chameleon Grrl

That does sound like the moral high-ground answer, and it's one I've used before as well. But I'm not talking about love, or moral values or strong families, or even other countries. I'm talking about not being able to FEED that strong family you've got, and what that kind of living means IN AMERICA. If you can't feed your kids, or fear their getting sick because it will mean taking a day off work which you could get fired for to spend the day at the low-income clinic it puts a kind of stress on you that no amount of love can negate. I've seen the kind of families you refer to on my travels overseas as well. There is one key difference though - they have a backbone of support built into their familiy structure that keeps them from having the kind of fear that poor families in the States deal with daily. Even in the strongest American families, there is still a cultural aspect of individualism that prevents many from helping their own blood in hard times. Again, I'm making general statements and in no way mean to imply that there are not happy poor families in America or unhappy rich ones. I'm speaking very broadly here (which I hate doing).

kulotsalot

to Hijacker.

the thing i noticed the most when i moved to canada was that people seemed to "not care" about each other as much as we do in the philippines. people have this sense of independence, that's great, but they've distanced themselves sooo much in the process. if i ask my co-worker how her divorce was going she'd probably be offended and say that it's none of my business... but where i come from that would be taken as a sign of my concern for what she's going through, and that if she ever wants to talk (even though we're not super close) i'll be there for her. it's like there's this pressure to deal with everything on your own, no wonder everyone gets so depressed.

Car Enthusiast

if you are poor in america you are lazy bottom line, there are programs and benefits to make sure you get everything you need, i will not feel sorry for poor in america, i know too many people who work overtime if they need money, not look out the window to see what they don't have

Jimi

We are unhappy. People don't generally take time out to suck in the sweet smell of life. People are worried way too much about further advancement in their career, or good grades, or acquiring more money. We're worried about sex, cars, parties, etc. People don't take time to realize that we actually have it good, everyone's too busy worrying about the grass on the other side.

elfoozo

This is not true in all areas. There are many US areas where the case workers of these programs and benefits are self righteous bastards and pass their moral judgements onto the people seeking their assistance.

That said, I would have to echo Hijackers sentiment. The core problem in America is how disengaged everyone is becoming with each generation and the lack of love being "passed on" as acceptable behavior. It's socially fueled by the smallest things like "move out when you're 18", "I don't want to go to my in-laws for christmas", etc. Everyone forgets that families long ago would remain "together" more often than not. And "moving out" usually meant building additional living space on the family land. We're all fleeing from the fabric that used to hold us together.

These days the only thing most kids want from their parents is to sell off their assets for as much money as they can get because it's useless to them and to cash in any inheritence. And those who are older can't stand the thought of having to deal with their parents in their final years because it'll impose on them.

kulotsalot

yeah i don't understand this at all. my parents took care of me and provided for me when i was a kid, why should i dump them in seniors' homes when they're older? as far as i know there's only one or two seniors' residences in the philippines, the eldest/most financially successful kid takes them in and cares for them during their final years.

craigryland

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