Why do Americans hate their fellow Americans?

[lawrocket 3]

Since when does not giving money to someone constitute hate?

"Wow. There are in excess of 5 billion people to whom lawrocket hasn't given a cent. He must really hate them."

I don't hate McDonalds. I just don't give it my money. I don't hate Walmart, I just really dig Costco.

And people must really hate me. Why don't I get shit from anyone?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[JohnRich 4]

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Point taken, John.

As I see, America is not the largest contributor to charitable aid per GDP. Yet, America boast as being such. I do believe, for the most part, that people worldwide are willing to help each other.

You should also combine together both private charitable contributions, as well as government aid, to get the total charitable aid. The fact that the government already gives away so much, restrains some people from making private donations because they figure the needed assistance is already covered.

Also, I wouldn't criticize America based upon contributions by percentage of GDP, since America has the largest economy in the world. At even a smaller GDP percentage, the contributions can still be much larger than anyone else.

And America deserves credit too for assisting other nations militarily, like Germany, Japan and South Korea . Those are also huge expenses which benefit those countries and reduce their own costs. And America is looke upon as the policeman of the world, restraining tyranny everywhere - and that's a benefit you can't put a price on.

[freethefly 6]

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and let's leave the hate at the door.

Maybe you can start by realizing that just maybe, what Marc said was true for his area of the country instead of just slamming him for having the audacity to disagree with you.

Conrad, IA has an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Iowa, overall, has a 6.1% unemployment rate. The county in which Conrad resides has a 6.8% unemployment rate. This is an increase of .2% over last years 6.6%. It is, not by far, the best in the State. However, it is not the worst. http://iwin.iwd.state.ia.us/pubs/etables/unemploymentrates.pdf
Conrad had a population in July 2009 of 1,003. Population change since 2000: -4.9%
Racial demographic stands at: 897 white (98.9%), 5 Asians (0.6%), and 2 people who are of mixed race (0.6%)

http://www.city-data.com/city/Conrad-Iowa.html

The Grundy Register shows slightly different figures.
http://thegrundyregister.com/clients/thegrundyregister/GRFeb17th2011Section1.pdf

If Marc wishes to not be called out on his statements, he should cite his source.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[deltron80 0]

Americans do not enjoy the social and economic perspective that comes with centuries of class struggle as you have had in Europe.

The American Dream is a fiction designed to keep the poor masses in check. If one poor man can become successful, clearly all poor men can be rich if they will only "pull themselves up by their boot straps."

Sadly, in reality millions or working poor will never have a chance at a better life and will continue to clean toilets, flip burgers, and mow lawns until they die early from lack of health care.

As for foreign aid, we are far from giving the most per capita so that's really a non-issue.

[rushmc 23]

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and let's leave the hate at the door.

Maybe you can start by realizing that just maybe, what Marc said was true for his area of the country instead of just slamming him for having the audacity to disagree with you.

Conrad, IA has an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Iowa, overall, has a 6.1% unemployment rate. The county in which Conrad resides has a 6.8% unemployment rate. This is an increase of .2% over last years 6.6%. It is, not by far, the best in the State. However, it is not the worst. http://iwin.iwd.state.ia.us/pubs/etables/unemploymentrates.pdf
Conrad had a population in July 2009 of 1,003. Population change since 2000: -4.9%
Racial demographic stands at: 897 white (98.9%), 5 Asians (0.6%), and 2 people who are of mixed race (0.6%)

http://www.city-data.com/city/Conrad-Iowa.html

The Grundy Register shows slightly different figures.
http://thegrundyregister.com/clients/thegrundyregister/GRFeb17th2011Section1.pdf

If Marc wishes to not be called out on his statements, he should cite his source.

WTF do you think (in your mind) you are calling me out for sir?

This is what I replyed to

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Why do Americans hate their fellow Americans?


Why is it? Americans seem to be their own worst enemy. They balk at helping their neighbor, yet scramble to get a donation off to another country! Is it solely to wave their "kindness" in the face of the rest of the world?

I would be particularly interested in what or friends in other countries think of Americas lack of compassion for it's own people.

I gave no facts. I gave observations. Based on your OP!!

And the increases in UE are from the screwed up polices of our Gov.

If the gov had done nothing (including Bush) we would be much better off than we are now! And Obama care just makes it worse

You gotta stop smoking the weed dude

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[freethefly 6]

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So, you want a debate, talk to people like Wendy does. At least she shows respect to those with whom she disagrees

actually, I think Freethefly has be trying, lately

Maybe, but his last post to me did not reflect that.....

It was curt. I apologize.
I actually do agree with you on a number of topics. I am far from being a complete liberal. I consider myself to liberal-conservative. As it is today, my vote may go to the Republican candidate, Ron Paul. Although, I'm on the fence concerning some of his views.

As for my subject line. I fully agree that it is over the top. As I have pointed out, I think that the vast majority of humans are very good people. Yet, when you look at who is more willing to step up to the plate, it is those with the least amount to give.
When I was at my last two jobs (I am returning to one of them, soon) I cleared above 50k. I was very much into giving. When I lived in St. Charles, MO., I spent several hours a day at the Salvation Army Center doing repair work, making runs to the stores that would donate food items and sundries. The others there were folks like myself and folks less fortunate. I never saw one millionaire on the soup line.
My sister and I often would stop and buy burgers and such for a person standing with a sign seeking help (will work for food.) I like to believe that they were good people, only down on their luck. I think that very few people would wish to live in an alley or a car.
True, not everyone needs the same, but the necessities need to be. We should apply the golden rule when we view others.

In the future, I'll try to remember this when posting.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[rushmc 23]

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So, you want a debate, talk to people like Wendy does. At least she shows respect to those with whom she disagrees

actually, I think Freethefly has be trying, lately

Maybe, but his last post to me did not reflect that.....

It was curt. I apologize.
I actually do agree with you on a number of topics. I am far from being a complete liberal. I consider myself to liberal-conservative. As it is today, my vote may go to the Republican candidate, Ron Paul. Although, I'm on the fence concerning some of his views.

As for my subject line. I fully agree that it is over the top. As I have pointed out, I think that the vast majority of humans are very good people. Yet, when you look at who is more willing to step up to the plate, it is those with the least amount to give.
When I was at my last two jobs (I am returning to one of them, soon) I cleared above 50k. I was very much into giving. When I lived in St. Charles, MO., I spent several hours a day at the Salvation Army Center doing repair work, making runs to the stores that would donate food items and sundries. The others there were folks like myself and folks less fortunate. I never saw one millionaire on the soup line.
My sister and I often would stop and buy burgers and such for a person standing with a sign seeking help (will work for food.) I like to believe that they were good people, only down on their luck. I think that very few people would wish to live in an alley or a car.
True, not everyone needs the same, but the necessities need to be. We should apply the golden rule when we view others.

In the future, I'll try to remember this when posting.

Nice post
Thank you

I have met many men who were loaded (so to speek) When I worked on the line crews you get to meet all kinds when you are out there installing services to new houses.
By default, if the house was not a spec home, we worked with the soon to be new owners

One of them currently owns about 5 big farm machine dealer ships. Every Christmas all 5 stores are closed down for a week. Becaue he takes every one of his employees on a 7 day vaction. He pays the airfare, rooms and gives them all some spending cash. And he include the employees family memebers

He was down in the trenches with us as we installed a very elaborate system for him and his efforts to help others in the area are well noted

Now, I do not list this as the norm. I know it is not. But there are all kinds from all walks of life. Because of this fact, I do not like using a big brush when grouping people. I also know people who do not have a pot to piss in and give all that they have to help others. Many help in their own ways. And do it so no one ever knows

My favorite thing to do is when I am eating out, if a group of uniformed soldiers come in, I pay for their meals and leave. (I know they do not need this and it does not relate to the kind of help you are talking about but it is a quite way of saying thank you)

As Americans we fight, we bicker and we cuss at each other. I guess that is what families do. But, for me, I do not beleive we hate each other

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[jclalor 12]

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Point taken, John.

As I see, America is not the largest contributor to charitable aid per GDP. Yet, America boast as being such. I do believe, for the most part, that people worldwide are willing to help each other.

You should also combine together both private charitable contributions, as well as government aid, to get the total charitable aid. The fact that the government already gives away so much, restrains some people from making private donations because they figure the needed assistance is already covered.

Also, I wouldn't criticize America based upon contributions by percentage of GDP, since America has the largest economy in the world. At even a smaller GDP percentage, the contributions can still be much larger than anyone else.

And America deserves credit too for assisting other nations militarily, like Germany, Japan and South Korea . Those are also huge expenses which benefit those countries and reduce their own costs. And America is looke upon as the policeman of the world, restraining tyranny everywhere - and that's a benefit you can't put a price on.

I wonder if US charitable spending counts donations made to religions. It seems that donating money that goes too salaries and rent is not the same as giving cash to someone or something in need.

[diverborg 0]

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I wonder if US charitable spending counts donations made to religions. It seems that donating money that goes too salaries and rent is not the same as giving cash to someone or something in need.

I'm sure its all lumped in there, and yes some churches are horrible stewards of it, but I've really noticed lately in my area that churches are popping up like crazy where they are more a gathering of people in an establishment that they are borrowing for the day, and other than maybe one or two modest salaries, most the money is going to helping the needy in one form or another.

Yes a little off-topic, but I think it's one thing to look forward to. The younger generations just aren't buried into the stagnant American Christianity traditions, and I don't think they'll tolerate a pastor making multi-millions and spending millions on marble pillars and floors. It's directly contrary to Jesus's teachings and its good to finally see people waking up a bit.

[freethefly 6]

This link has a breakdown of recipients.
http://www.nps.gov/partnerships/fundraising_individuals_statistics.htm
$100.95b went to religious charity organizations.
Church charities are big throughout the bible belt, if not the entire country. I've had to rely on the food pantry at St. Suzanne's Catholic Church from time to time. They are extremely good people.
I do not know exactly what my motivation in the past was when I gave to charities. Most likely it was to counter feeling bad for all of the bad things that I did. Since the diagnosis of in '95, I have received help from the most well meaning people, when I needed such. In times since, I know the reason why I was willing to help. It is better to give than to receive, true, but if you need to receive it is good that someone cared enough to give.

This ties in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTmCylm9TsU

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young