Americans, are we Selfish or Selfless?

What say you?

from JoeUser Forums
“ Is it possible to be happy when somewhere in the world someone is dying because they do not have enough food, or have been born with scrambled genes, or their very breath is a political problem? Shouldn’t they over shadow us, those with dreadful lives, unconsciously perhaps? ”
Excerpted from “Revenge of the Middle Aged Woman” written by Elizabeth Buchan
Chapter 3 pg. 27 [I’m currently reading this book]


I look at the above statement and I wonder to myself, is this a fair statement? Should we question ourselves as to whether we have a right to be happy when someone else in the world isn’t; or is dying; or doesn’t have enough food; or is in some situation which makes it impossible for them to not be happy? Would me feeling the opposite way make it better for them; or better for me; making me a better person because I empathize with them?

Recently on another blog an Anon user commented that we Americans don’t care about others, only ourselves. [This was at the time of the earthquake in Pakistan which someone wrote about – sorry I can’t reference it was a month ago and that would mean sloshing through all the articles which I don’t have time for.] {Speaking of which, we really need a search feature – that’s probably too much to ask though, after all JU is FREE}!


Back to the topic at hand!

This was such an outrageously unfair statement by that Anon user because it is not true. I won’t go into how much our great country does for other people around the world and yes in our own country too, day in and day out. Even when the whole world is against us and like to spit at us we trudge on lending whatever aid we can.

Sure we do get selfish, when we have to protect ourselves and use whatever means necessary to do so; when we have to have allies, yes we are selfish, because if we’re not how can we take care of ourselves?


I know our leaders are not perfect and there are moments when others needed help and we weren’t there at all or didn’t give the help in time, (Rwanda, N.O. [and I don’t need a debate about N.O.]); but we do help every time, and we do it selflessly.

Individually we give to others who are in need and we do so selflessly. We might be somewhat opinionated but that’s what makes us who we are. And if standing up for ourselves and demanding respect makes us selfish, then pfffffffffft!
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Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think you can be a caring, generous person and still enjoy your dinner even though their are people in the world who are starving. I say help when and where you can. Take care of your familiy first. I think most Americans are decent people. Maybe I just have a sunny outlook but when I deal with someone who is grumpy or ugly, I just figure they're having a bad day and let it go at that. I don't know that we can generalize about our whole country being selfish or selfless. I think we fall all along the spectrum on that.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
we are both. sometimes so selfish it makes me ashamed to be american.Sometimes so incredibly generous it makes me swell with pride.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply By: PCS(Anonymous User)Posted: Wednesday, November 09, 2005The entire first world is selfish.


Who are those?



LocamamaPosted: Wednesday, November 09, 2005I think you can be a caring, generous person and still enjoy your dinner even though their are people in the world who are starving. I say help when and where you can. Take care of your familiy first. I think most Americans are decent people. Maybe I just have a sunny outlook but when I deal with someone who is grumpy or ugly, I just figure they're having a bad day and let it go at that. I don't know that we can generalize about our whole country being selfish or selfless. I think we fall all along the spectrum on that


Yes I agree to help whereever and whenever you can if you choose to do so. I definately agree that your family comes first too. You have to be secure before you can go off to help someone else right?!

Going by the help our own have received from majority of America, I would say that's more than a generalization. People help others in need when they can because it's the right and selfless thing to do. And perhaps we might feel a bit guilty too, who knows. But for every one person who is selfish and only cares about themself, there are 10 more out there who is the exact opposite.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

If you cant be happy when someone else is miserable, you can never be happy.  That does not mean we have to revel in the misery of others, but we cannot go our whole life commiserating with everyone else.  There are 6 billion souls on this planet.  At any one time, millions are in misery.

I dont see America, as a country being selfish, altho as individuals we can be.  But as a society, we are a very generous one.

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
But as a society, we are a very generous one.


Agreed!
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Any society has its positives and negatives. To say Americans are selfish would be like saying the same of Australians, Turks or Japanese. It is simply not true. Generalisations are a dangerous thing. This Anon User you mention doesn't even have the nerve to identify themselves, so I would completely discount anything he or she says.

It is a good point, though. I don't like the idea of being told I can't be happy because someone somewhere else is starving or has to walk for two miles to get fresh water. I feel sad for those in these situations and I do what I can to provide financial support to third world countries. But this doesn't stop me from pursuing and attaining my own personal happiness. It just makes me more grateful and thankful for what I do have.

Good article, Serenity.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
When I look at my military experience and awards, and see more ribbons, medals and certificates for humanitarian missions than war related ones, I don't have to wonder about this question anymore.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Any society has its positives and negatives.


Agreed Maso!



To say Americans are selfish would be like saying the same of Australians, Turks or Japanese. It is simply not true. Generalisations are a dangerous thing.


Ditto on this too!


It is a good point, though. I don't like the idea of being told I can't be happy because someone somewhere else is starving or has to walk for two miles to get fresh water. I feel sad for those in these situations and I do what I can to provide financial support to third world countries. But this doesn't stop me from pursuing and attaining my own personal happiness. It just makes me more grateful and thankful for what I do have.


Exactly!! Ditto!

Thanks Maso!
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
When I look at my military experience and awards, and see more ribbons, medals and certificates for humanitarian missions than war related ones, I don't have to wonder about this question anymore.


That's really great Ted, really great!
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
My answer? BOTH. We're rather schizophrenic in that regard.

While we want all the material trappings, we're also rather quick to pony up to causes we feel to be worthwhile. While we could probably do more, we shouldn't be ashamed into thinking we're not doing enough. There is no ethical obligation to take a vow of poverty.

Thanks for posing this question.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
My answer? BOTH. We're rather schizophrenic in that regard.


totally agree with this.
we are both. sometimes so selfish it makes me ashamed to be american.Sometimes so incredibly generous it makes me swell with pride.

agreed with this too.
When I look at my military experience and awards, and see more ribbons, medals and certificates for humanitarian missions than war related ones, I don't have to wonder about this question anymore.


I love that answer.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
My answer? BOTH. We're rather schizophrenic in that regard.totally agree with this.


I agree with this response too Gid and Kelly! We want to have our cake and eat it too and who says we can't!! Even when it's not good for us and we're (in general terms) being gluttonous!






Thanks for posing this question.


You're welcome! It's a good question and one that leaves much food for thought. Considering what the "world" thinks about us, love us, hate us..wanna be like us...immitate the h-e-double hockey sticks out of us! Yet "they" are so quick to blame us and judge us all the time. We're just destined to damn if do and damn if we don't!


When I look at my military experience and awards, and see more ribbons, medals and certificates for humanitarian missions than war related ones, I don't have to wonder about this question anymore.I love that answer.


Me too! That's someone coming full circle in their beliefs and knowing themselves. That's our TED!
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry I missed this when it first was posted!!

I used to feel guilty for having a roof over my head, heat, electric, and food
everytime there was a news story about an earthquake, hurricane, other natural
disasters, and also poverty and starving children.

A wise person said that it wasn't my fault that natural disasters occur, nor my fault for
all the poverty in the world.

I do what I can to help, and I think our country is wonderful, helping other nations
and their people, along with taking care of us.

The person that posted anonomously is too chicken to reveal themselves,
and probaly is full of hatred along with not knowing how much THIS country does
to help others.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
do what I can to help, and I think our country is wonderful, helping other nations
and their people, along with taking care of us.

The person that posted anonomously is too chicken to reveal themselves,
and probaly is full of hatred along with not knowing how much THIS country does
to help others.


I agree with both of these points Trudy!
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
The entire first world is selfish.


So is the second and third world, asshat. Next time, think before you engage those little appendages of yours.

Ugh, sorry about that FS. Just had to get that off my chest.

As to the question, I think it is a good one. And difficult to answer. Can we be selfish? Absolutely. Far too often as well. But we can also be very self-less, at times almost to a fault. Looking at the media, one would be led to believe that we are predominantly selfish.

But hey, since when has the media portrayed the truth?

I think self-lessness at least equals, if not outweighs the selishness. For every example of conspicuous consumption we see in the media, there are hundreds or thousands of examples of daily, self-less sacrifice that goes unnoticed.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
The entire first world is selfish.


So is the second and third world, asshat. Next time, think before you engage those little appendages of yours.

Ugh, sorry about that FS. Just had to get that off my chest.


That's ok Peter, I understand!


I think self-lessness at least equals, if not outweighs the selishness. For every example of conspicuous consumption we see in the media, there are hundreds or thousands of examples of daily, self-less sacrifice that goes unnoticed.


Amen to this! Ditto on all levels!