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Thunderflight's unique perspective of America

Thunderflight

Dignitary Member
17,770
167
Shermans Dale, PA
I don't surf the message boards like I used to, but I'm sure a good number of the TOO membership remembers me from my postwhore trolling days also remembers when my recent five plus year overseas journey began.

Being out of the USA for so long gives one a unique perspective on the changes that have evolved in our beloved country. Five years is just long enough to "remember how things used to be" and compare then to how they are now. The following are a few observations.

1. Prices: Gas is actually cheaper, but the overall cost of living has significantly increased.

2. American's: This one isn't gonna be pretty, but American's are obese, lazy, and IMO some of the stupidest people on this planet. OK, I'm sure this one touched a nerve, but please hear me out. We as a society are pigs. We surfice on fast food which comes from IMO two things. The first is our fast paced lifestyle doesn't allow for time to eat quality food. Because of this we have become to lazy to take the time to prepare healthy meals and it has become the norm to take the family out for fast food vise making a healthy lunch or dinner at home. Second, portion sizes in America are just crazy. Unless you are a marathon runner or super active there is no way your body can use up 4000 calories (especially when they are high in fat) a day.

Lazy: We are a society glued to TV, laptops, iPhones, and facebook. Gone are the days when kids ran around all day playing outside, fishing, riding bikes, and being active.

Stupidity: It's rampant in our country. OMG how can we be this dumb. I've heard comments being said like "don't use them white words around me" (BTW the word was "tangible". I've met so many people who can barely perform basic task in jobs such as cashiers and stock boys at Walmart.

American's are assholes too. (Ohioians are especially rude which explains why I'm also an ass:smiley_coolpeace:). The ONLY country I've been to were the people where more rude than us is the United Kingdom.

3. Entitlement: Our culture (at least the younger generation) has this preconceived notion that everyone is entitled to success. Normally that's great, but American's want everything for nothing. I can't believe how many people have told me how the well off folks owe the less fortunate folk something(or essentially something to that effect). I blame a lot of this on our current administration who has slowly tried to steer our capitalist country towards that of a socialist society.

There are a few more bad things and we can discuss them later, but there are some great things about the USA.

1. Quality of life: Our quality of life is unmatched anywhere on this planet. I've been to 38 countries and while a few come close the majority fall way short of the basic comforts we enjoy. Affordable quality housing is something we take for granted, but I can't tell you how many places I've been to were construction standards were sub par to flat out unsafe, multiple generations lived under one roof, and square footage is 1/4 of most American homes, and acreage is only for the extremely wealthy.

2. Convenience: Everything is at our fingertips. Last night my air mattress blew. It was 2230 and my first thought was that I'd have a long night sleeping on the floor (BTW our furniture hasn't arrived yet). Then I realized that Walmart is open 24hrs and 45 minutes later I was sleeping comfortably on a new bed. There is a gas station, grocery store, shopping mall and restaurant on every corner. It's just crazy how good we have it.

3. Travel. It's so easy to travel in the states. It's generally affordable, our roads are nice, there are plenty of gas stations, and believe it or not most American's drive sanely.

I have to admit, I'm kinda let down on how things have progressed. While I listed some good things too, I continually find myself being let down for a variety of reasons. Maybe I just had my expectations too high, but to be honest I think I'm just remember how things used to be and have a unique view to how much our country and society has sunk.
 

brock ratcliff

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
24,834
247
Thanks for the perspective, Chuck. I can't disagree with any of your thoughts. Having said that, I'm gonna make my chubby self a pizza and head home!:)
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
I don't surf the message boards like I used to, but I'm sure a good number of the TOO membership remembers me from my postwhore trolling days also remembers when my recent five plus year overseas journey began.

Being out of the USA for so long gives one a unique perspective on the changes that have evolved in our beloved country. Five years is just long enough to "remember how things used to be" and compare then to how they are now. The following are a few observations.

1. Prices: Gas is actually cheaper, but the overall cost of living has significantly increased.

2. American's: This one isn't gonna be pretty, but American's are obese, lazy, and IMO some of the stupidest people on this planet. OK, I'm sure this one touched a nerve, but please hear me out. We as a society are pigs. We surfice on fast food which comes from IMO two things. The first is our fast paced lifestyle doesn't allow for time to eat quality food. Because of this we have become to lazy to take the time to prepare healthy meals and it has become the norm to take the family out for fast food vise making a healthy lunch or dinner at home. Second, portion sizes in America are just crazy. Unless you are a marathon runner or super active there is no way your body can use up 4000 calories (especially when they are high in fat) a day.

Lazy: We are a society glued to TV, laptops, iPhones, and facebook. Gone are the days when kids ran around all day playing outside, fishing, riding bikes, and being active.

Stupidity: It's rampant in our country. OMG how can we be this dumb. I've heard comments being said like "don't use them white words around me" (BTW the word was "tangible". I've met so many people who can barely perform basic task in jobs such as cashiers and stock boys at Walmart.

American's are assholes too. (Ohioians are especially rude which explains why I'm also an ass:smiley_coolpeace:). The ONLY country I've been to were the people where more rude than us is the United Kingdom.

3. Entitlement: Our culture (at least the younger generation) has this preconceived notion that everyone is entitled to success. Normally that's great, but American's want everything for nothing. I can't believe how many people have told me how the well off folks owe the less fortunate folk something(or essentially something to that effect). I blame a lot of this on our current administration who has slowly tried to steer our capitalist country towards that of a socialist society.

There are a few more bad things and we can discuss them later, but there are some great things about the USA.

1. Quality of life: Our quality of life is unmatched anywhere on this planet. I've been to 38 countries and while a few come close the majority fall way short of the basic comforts we enjoy. Affordable quality housing is something we take for granted, but I can't tell you how many places I've been to were construction standards were sub par to flat out unsafe, multiple generations lived under one roof, and square footage is 1/4 of most American homes, and acreage is only for the extremely wealthy.

2. Convenience: Everything is at our fingertips. Last night my air mattress blew. It was 2230 and my first thought was that I'd have a long night sleeping on the floor (BTW our furniture hasn't arrived yet). Then I realized that Walmart is open 24hrs and 45 minutes later I was sleeping comfortably on a new bed. There is a gas station, grocery store, shopping mall and restaurant on every corner. It's just crazy how good we have it.

3. Travel. It's so easy to travel in the states. It's generally affordable, our roads are nice, there are plenty of gas stations, and believe it or not most American's drive sanely.

I have to admit, I'm kinda let down on how things have progressed. While I listed some good things too, I continually find myself being let down for a variety of reasons. Maybe I just had my expectations too high, but to be honest I think I'm just remember how things used to be and have a unique view to how much our country and society has sunk.

Here here buddy. I remember thinking much of the same when I got back from Korea. And I was only overseas for a year and a half total. And I thought the same when I moved to Ohio after living in southern states my whole life. It's no wonder were the laughing stock of the world.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,721
248
Ohio
Sad. Just plain sad. I have never left the country. You still won't hear me disagree with you. Sounded pretty accurate to me and I have NOTHING to compare it to. Fat, lazy, and way too much entitlement expectations.
 

CJD3

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
14,630
201
NE Ohio
I would have to agree as well. Although I have never lived out-of-country, I was raised "old school" I have seen an erosion of values, a deterioration of the family unit and an unbelievable mentality of entitlement from the younger generations coming up. They, in part seem brainwashed by the liberal agenda that has been dumbing down America for years. (many kids can't make change at the register, let alone save 10% of a paycheck.) They are looking for instant gratification and want the same sized house and car now that their parent saved years for or worked their way up too. They are typically over extended and living pay-check-to-pay-check.
I have said for years that "domestic skills" are being lost with every generation. (Not that I believe a womans place is in the kitchen) however skills such as baking, sewing, canning, cooking a thanksgiving dinner or even shopping for a weeks worth of food... quickly falling away with each generation. Things my Mother and Grandmother did in the course of running the home on a weekly basis are now lost on the 20something aged kids. I could go on...

Its sad. I fear for our future.
Still though, I have talked to enough people like you Chuck that I know there is no where else I would rather live in this world.
Thank You for your service and God Bless the USA.
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,741
274
North Carolina
Yep, can't really add much too what ha already been stated..... Agreed with almost everything said.....
 

Huckleberry Finn

Senior Member
15,973
135
I have said for years that "domestic skills" are being lost with every generation. (Not that I believe a womans place is in the kitchen) however skills such as baking, sewing, canning, cooking a thanksgiving dinner or even shopping for a weeks worth of food... quickly falling away with each generation. Things my Mother and Grandmother did in the course of running the home on a weekly basis are now lost on the 20something aged kids. I could go on...

Its sad. I fear for our future.
Still though, I have talked to enough people like you Chuck that I know there is no where else I would rather live in this world.
Thank You for your service and God Bless the USA.

Couldn't agree with you more. I've never heard anyone make the first point, but that's a darn good one!
 

Beentown

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
15,740
154
Sunbury, OH
Very good Chuck.

The main reason for the "downfall" IMHO that there is no need. Past generations had to do things to make it. No one was going to do it for them. The wealthier a nation we became the less we had to do.

I think over the last two years I have started to see a swing the other way. I know more people now with gardens than in 2010. More involvement in community, church, and their kids lives are also things I have noticed.

Until we/society start/starts holding people accountable for being dumb, lazy, or just a plain drain on society nothing will change. We will be Rome. Lowering standards to lift up the under achievers will eventually make us all achieve less.

Watch the movie 'Idiocracy'.....us in 100 years.
 

Buckmaster

Senior Member
14,362
191
Portage
Chuck, you stand correct. I wish we could go back to the 1950's. My parents and their parents had a good life growing up in those days. Things were much more family like and jobs were good and life stable.
 

badger

*Supporting Member*
I can't believe that people will actually order their whole Thanksgiving or Christmas day dinner. Pretty damn sad if you ask me.

The entitlement thing is sickening. I have worked around so many people that bust their ass for a few weeks, then slack off thinking they earned the job and don't need to keep working hard. It hasn't always been young guys either.

I've also worked with guys my age that couldn't wait to get home to their video game room. Seriously, guys are in their forties and they sit around in a room dedicated to video games. It really blows my mind.

People have asked me why I put so much work into trapping and putting up hides which I don't get much money for. They don't understand the satisfaction I get out of breaking through ice for a beaver or a muskrat. Walking a few miles with a packbasket of dry dirt and traps to maybe catch one or two fox is beyond anything they can comprehend. I have properties I can use my quad on, but I choose to walk. That one really baffles them. At the end of the day I go to sleep tired, happy and ready to do it again. I didn't sit around bored on the couch. I go to sleep with a sense of accomplishment. That is something most people will never know.
 

aholdren

Senior Member
Supporting Member
5,178
151
South East Ohio
I can't believe that people will actually order their whole Thanksgiving or Christmas day dinner. Pretty damn sad if you ask me.

The entitlement thing is sickening. I have worked around so many people that bust their ass for a few weeks, then slack off thinking they earned the job and don't need to keep working hard. It hasn't always been young guys either.

I've also worked with guys my age that couldn't wait to get home to their video game room. Seriously, guys are in their forties and they sit around in a room dedicated to video games. It really blows my mind.

People have asked me why I put so much work into trapping and putting up hides which I don't get much money for. They don't understand the satisfaction I get out of breaking through ice for a beaver or a muskrat. Walking a few miles with a packbasket of dry dirt and traps to maybe catch one or two fox is beyond anything they can comprehend. I have properties I can use my quad on, but I choose to walk. That one really baffles them. At the end of the day I go to sleep tired, happy and ready to do it again. I didn't sit around bored on the couch. I go to sleep with a sense of accomplishment. That is something most people will never know.

Very well said Badger.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,721
248
Ohio
Very good points by CJD, Beener, and Badger. I do believe we have lost what our parents and grandparents HAD to do to survive. I have noticed a resurgence in my generation though. There are some more gardens and such than what you may have seen 5 years ago. Sadly, I feel it is a small percentage of the upper 50% of this nation which is carrying the lower 50%.
 

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,060
223
Ohio
All good stuff here, fellas. It really is sad when you think about it. But worst of all, I don't think this downward spiral will get any better until we completely collapse. Shit's going to have to get real for people to realize just how little they know about survival.
 

DJK Frank 16

Senior Member
Supporting Member
9,358
133
Hardin County
All good stuff here, fellas. It really is sad when you think about it. But worst of all, I don't think this downward spiral will get any better until we completely collapse. Shit's going to have to get real for people to realize just how little they know about survival.

I agree with JB, as long as our gov't keeps giving out hand outs for fat ass people to sit at home all day and smoke cigarettes and drink pop, they have no reason to change. Yeah guys like us would never fathom something like that, but no shit, I've actually talked to people that have told me "why would I go to work when I can sit at home and get hand outs". It's amazing.

I'm glad I wasn't raised that way and you can bet that my son will never be raised that way either.
 

Dannmann801

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
10,640
191
Springboro
Not only are TF's observations hitting straight to the core, on top of all that....Americans are fundamentally arrogant in their view about the rest of the world. We show very little respect for other cultures.

My fear is that Jim is right and that the downward spiral/bad bottom can't be reversed.
The influences that drive our society (media organizations, Hollywood, lobbyists) are so huge and well-entrenched (including our bloated government) that they are like a fast moving runaway locomotive (with 50 yrs worth of garbage cars) barreling down the track. The only way to stop it is to derail it.