Think Americans are selfish and wouldn't take care of each other w/o gov. force?

[warcraftbaby]

Wow that does sound wonderful. But the title confuses me. I didn't think the government ever had a hand in soldier's funerals?

[bigsweetie]

Wow that does sound wonderful. But the title confuses me. I didn't think the government ever had a hand in soldier's funerals?

No, I was referring to people like christycat who no longer believe the American people care about each other and are generally selfish people. This video, to me, shows the REAL America. No one forced them to take time out of their day to honor this hero, to their families and flags, etc.

Some people I guess turn a blind eye to it. I see it quite frequently just in my everyday life. Just one example: My church just had a backpack drive to help underprivileged kids and they have OVERWHELMING support and supplies donated... more than they anticipated. I have family and friends who go down to N.O. every summer to help rebuild... even this summer - years after Katrina. I can think of so many more examples...

As I was watching the video, I just kept thinking... I trust these people a LOT more than some bureaucrat in an ivory tower who's motivated by greed and power.

Sorry the title of the thread was a little confusing. I just get tired of hearing how horrible Americans are, then you see stuff like this. It's too bad that so many of "us" (Americans) have given up on each other and turned to a group of people who can't relate to the average hard-working American and want them to make decisions that affect everyone. I'd rather put my faith in the people who lined those streets. Who had nothing to gain from it. Who weren't looking for publicity or power.

[bigsweetie]

Too bad American folks cannot seem to appreciate eachother till they DIE. Sorry OP. while this is a touching video. It does not change my opinion of the people in this country or in this world. 90% are too selfish to help others unless they are FORCED TO DO IT, in my opinion based on what I have seen in my life.

christycat- Don't think I don't understand where you're coming from. If you watch the news, read newspapers, etc. it's filled with examples of people who are selfish, greedy, etc. Heck, I live in the Detroit area. LOL! We had our Mayor fired and jailed, our city council member resigned for taking bribes, our governor has put this state in a financial hell hole. There's shootings, gangs, kids getting kidnapped and killed.

But those make good news stories. The stories of the everyday person and what they do to help each other is rarely reported. Most people who do charitable work aren't looking for their name in the paper... many work behind the scenes. Nothing is perfect, we still have people going hungry, dying of horrible diseases, etc. But our poverty level here is nothing like it is in other countries. You can give credit for that to the politicians or the people, that's up to you. But I bet if you looked around hard enough you'd see lots of people who selflessly contribute to humanity. You won't find them in a feature article in the NY Times, heck you'd probably have to do some digging because a good many of "us" don't go around looking for glory and fame.

[MaryMary]

Too bad American folks cannot seem to appreciate eachother till they DIE. Sorry OP. while this is a touching video. It does not change my opinion of the people in this country or in this world. 90% are too selfish to help others unless they are FORCED TO DO IT, in my opinion based on what I have seen in my life.

IMO there is a reason for such a view, however seem too superficial to me.
USA has a lot of social programs, people also see a lot of abuse of these programs, therefore not always in the hurry to respond ASAP to signs of despair.

Americans as a culture wants to be positive, IMO it has been overdone. If I ask someone I know "how are you doing", likely I'll see a smile and hear "Fine!", no matter what the actual situation is. Will I offer help not knowing the need? If I suspect anything and care enough I'd say "Gimme a call if you need anything". It is not common to say "listen, I heard you are in a real pickle, lets talk may be I can help". Why? One of the reason is fear to hurt people's feelings and invade their privacy. I wasn't born and raised here and I just do not get it: people expect and even require authorities to take care of them, but in false sense of honor refuse the community member, even able and compassionate ones?
On another hand, it has been a lot of abuse and taking advantage of unsuspected. I do not succumb to phone solicitations of an organization I'm not closely falilier with, in too many cases 50% or more goes to telemarketing. That's another extreme deem people cold. From my POV charities has to be efficient and flexible. Throwing away baby glass jars is not such a case, even if there is no space: they should have contacted new parents from their list to take it so the damages will be minimized.
People should want to help, not just required to do so, nor be prestigious to have a bragging rights. I think that's the key to effective charity.

[sns4063]

Here's the video from my neck of the woods...
YouTube - Welcoming Home a Hero - Fallen Marine LCpl Brandon Lara

[bigsweetie]

Here's the video from my neck of the woods...
YouTube - Welcoming Home a Hero - Fallen Marine LCpl Brandon Lara

These warm my heart... thank you for posting it!

[Dengineer]

No, I was referring to people like christycat who no longer believe the American people care about each other and are generally selfish people. This video, to me, shows the REAL America. No one forced them to take time out of their day to honor this hero, to their families and flags, etc.

Some people I guess turn a blind eye to it. I see it quite frequently just in my everyday life. Just one example: My church just had a backpack drive to help underprivileged kids and they have OVERWHELMING support and supplies donated... more than they anticipated. I have family and friends who go down to N.O. every summer to help rebuild... even this summer - years after Katrina. I can think of so many more examples...

As I was watching the video, I just kept thinking... I trust these people a LOT more than some bureaucrat in an ivory tower who's motivated by greed and power.

Sorry the title of the thread was a little confusing. I just get tired of hearing how horrible Americans are, then you see stuff like this. It's too bad that so many of "us" (Americans) have given up on each other and turned to a group of people who can't relate to the average hard-working American and want them to make decisions that affect everyone. I'd rather put my faith in the people who lined those streets. Who had nothing to gain from it. Who weren't looking for publicity or power.

United States Is Largest Donor of Foreign Aid, Report Says

Of the $122.8 billion of foreign aid provided by Americans in 2005 (the most current data available), $95.5 billion, or 79 percent, came from private foundations, corporations, voluntary organizations, universities, religious organizations and individuals, says the annual Index of Global Philanthropy.

For example, U.S. foundations gave more -- in money, time, goods and expertise -- than 11 of the 22 developed-country governments each gave in 2005, and U.S. private voluntary organizations totaled more than the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and France each.

For example, the report lists several case studies of private programs using skilled volunteers and delivering hands-on assistance at a third of the typical cost of government aid programs.

Americans give record $295B to charity - USATODAY.com

Americans gave nearly $300 billion to charitable causes last year, setting a record and besting the 2005 total that had been boosted by a surge in aid to victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and the Asian tsunami.

Note that these donations are IN ADDITION to the "donations" we are expected to cheerfully fork over to the government every payday or every quarter. Yeah, Americans are really a bunch of selfish, greedy so-and-so's, aren't we?

[bigsweetie]

United States Is Largest Donor of Foreign Aid, Report Says

Americans give record $295B to charity - USATODAY.com


Note that these donations are IN ADDITION to the "donations" we are expected to cheerfully fork over to the government every payday or every quarter. Yeah, Americans are really a bunch of selfish, greedy so-and-so's, aren't we?