My, what an awful, empty world some of you see. I'm curious to learn who is keeping the people of whom you write in their squalid existences.
Rockhound has got it right. I was lucky enough to be born here. I've defended this country and I stay here, not because I need to, but because of the freedoms that we enjoy.
The type of freedom that, notwithstanding the withering attempts of certain groups and individuals drag everyone down to the lowest common denominator, turns you loose, encourages you to take your best shot, lets you make a mistake and allows you to start over until you get it right. Freedom that lets you be who you want to be, associate with whomever you want and enjoy the other freedoms for which past generations have fought and died. Freedom that lets you drag yourself down and blame it on someone else if you find it preferable.
We are not forced to stay in jobs or places that we don't like. We have the ability to go as far as our own individual ability, motivation, tenacity and sheer determination permit.
If you don't like a long commute, you can move someplace else. The last time I looked, the choices were not limited to an L.A., NYC or Boston traffic jam and a desert outpost.
If you don't like our job, you can find another. You are limited only by your own skills and motivation.
If you don't have the necessary skills, low cost, quality education is readily available. If you don't have the necessary motivation, then you are (1) part of the problem identified below; and (2) wasting everyone's time.
If you don't like your living conditions, work harder, find a better job or move. I've seen smaller houses in San Diego that I'm told go for $500,000.00. Move someplace else, and you can have the same house for $100,000.00.
If we don't like the last Presidential election (or, perhaps, the two before that), we can join Alec Baldwin in leaving the country (Oh... yeah.... he ended up staying, didn't he... well, never mind).
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Alternatively, you can try again next time.
This country is not perfect. We are seeing an unprecedented encroachment upon individual freedoms, a Big Brother attitude, a failure of personal responsibility and a wealth redistribution system that makes me sick. The combined effect of these problems is to encourage people to place blame for their problems anywhere but on themselves and to spend their time complaining that the Government hasn't thrown enough taxpayers' money at them to make them happy.
For the foregoing reasons, you see the mental midgets who want to blame McDonalds because they haven't figured out where to buy a quick salad (Subway, D'Angelo's and even Mickey D's come to mind). :upset: Its not a matter of having no options, its a matter of elemental stupidity. Similarly, any thoughts that people are forced to be sedentary is misplaced. I'm in the top percentile of billing attorneys at my firm. That means that I work more hours than most of them. I still make the time to swim each weekday. How? By getting up at 5:30 a.m.
Americans are not mad. Instead, we are tolerant enough to allow those whose head is co-located with the tail end of their digestive tract to carry on their business and make their case. The alternative is yet another bureaucrat telling you what, when and why you can speak you mind. That said, I would love to represent McDonalds.
When, as I expect, these cases are dismissed, we can all thank the plaintiffs for the comic relief they provided, perhaps by giving them a gift certificate to Burger King. In the meantime, I'm going to use my freedom to work hard and dive often.
By the way, has anyone actually seen this case reported by a reputable source. I searched briefly; however, I didn't find anything except on the comedy and parody sites.