American Morning
Mad as Hell: Why the national anger?
If the American mood these days were a movie line, it just might be the one shouted out by the character Howard Beale in the 1976 film, “Network”:
“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”
We went to western Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County, to talk to voters about the anger that has spread from town halls to radio talk shows and to the floor of Congress. Last November the county went for John McCain over Barack Obama
It was in Westmoreland county that Obama campaigned just days before the April 2008 Democratic primary, saying that small-town Pennsylvania voters are “bitter” over their economic situation, and that they “cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them.”
At buffalo wing night at the Kecksburg fire hall we met Janet Reed, who owns a nearby beauty shop. Like many of the people in the hall, she’s angry at the direction of the country. “I feel as though all the work done for many years ago has been undone,” she told Carol Costello. “It seems like the whole country is, like, out of tune...somebody’s got to get tough. Somebody has to bring us back to where we were 40 years ago.”
Chris Wesling was at the fire hall too. He owns a trucking company. “America’s angry,” he told us. “Everybody I talk to is angry...what we really need in Washington is common sense. We’ve got too many people that have their own agenda. And they don’t care about us, the people.” As for the nation’s elected representatives, Wesling has a solution: “We’ve got an election coming up next year and I’m sure we can get rid of a lot of them.”
In nearby Jeannette we met Irwin Polansky. He showed us his workshop and took us hunting.
Just like Wesling, he wants to “vote every politician out. Put new blood in there.” He’s especially upset about what he says is increasing government intrusion into people’s lives. ‘”It’s starting to look like it’s becoming a dictatorship. You have to do this. You have to do that.” As for all the shouting at politicians at town meetings, “...these people are frustrated. They have to get it off their chest. Where else and who else can they holler at?... So they go to the man that’s supposed to be representing them, so if they let them know how they feel maybe they’ll do something, but I doubt it.”
All of this anger and calls for a return to another time in America doesn’t sit well with two African American retirees we met in Pittsburgh’s Community of Reconciliation Church.
“When I hear phrases like, taking American back,” says Leon McCray, “taking America back to where? I’m 81-years-old. I don’t want to see America go back to what I saw.” His wife Carrie added, “And I’m from Alabama, and no, I don’t want to see America go back to where it was.”
As for why so many people are angry, Leon McCray thinks he knows:
“The people in America who are angry feel as though they’ve either lost something or they’re in danger of losing something that’s very important to them.”
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Americans are as mad as hell because, mostly though information available on the internet rather than American media, they are finally aware that they have been continually lied to, misled and brainwashed by their governments. They see how the global European-style socialism is so much better and healthier in other countries than in America and how dangerous American military is in the new age of globalism.
Ther is much that is frustrating for American citizens recently. The vitrolic nature is fueled by Rebublican money. The dog days of August 13-15 lasted all month. There was no possibility of rational discussion possible. Had there been as much airtime and money expended on exposition of the true nature of healthcare reform, in August instead of October the people of this nation would be better informed. Bless their hearts, C-Span 1&2, and PBS tried hard but were outbought.
This is foolishness. First, anyone who is from/has ever lived in Western Pennsylvania will tell you it is one of the most prejudiced areas around, including within the city limits of Pittsburgh (where I was born and raised). Its no surprise that most people Carol spoke to in Westmorland County are anti-Obama and want things "back to 40 years ago"
The real question is, what was so great about 40 years ago? While yes, I agree there are some social and moral standards we should probably re incorporate into our lives, what 'getting our country back' sounds like to many "minority" groups is 'I want the country back to when colored folk knew their place'. That's not progression. I would argue that the periods in American History where legal racism was standard operating procedure were the absolute opposite of the ideal of this country.
As several other people have commented, the mess we are currently in DIDN"T start January 20,2009. This was years in the making under former Pres.Bush. Its so funny how when democrats and others protested George W, or said the slightest unkind word, we were un patriotic, and un American. But now, its perfectly appropriate for the right to carry guns to Presidential rallies, call the President a Nazi and be completely disrespectful of the office of President of the United States. President Obama has not even been in office a complete year, and he has accomplished or at least set out to accomplish more than W did in 8 years! Pres. Obama is not perfect, no human is, but he has a lot of mess to clean up and a lot of uncooperative Republicans to go up against.
I have to pull a quote from one of my favorite movies: "How can someone say they love America but clearly can't stand Americans?"
If you're so American, you should want to see all of your fellow Americans have access to quality health care, a livable wage, and urge you politicians to work for the betterment of ALL Americans.
For those on the right, you don't want government to tell you what kind of guns you can have or to manage your health care, yet you think its fine for the government to tell a woman what to do with her body and family..how much sense does that make?!
I would just like to say this for all the average people ....We are angry,sick and at the end of our threads trying to hold up in this economy .We work our buns off trying to suppy our family's with the basics.........Were is the compassion for the american people,we give other countries help without questions, and when we the american people ask for help we get nothing...why is it we help others and lack helping our own... examples..if some homeless people gather in a public park and sit on the benches in the park ,they call them a eye soar and remove the bench to make them leave......When you have a small business and can't afford for add's in the local papers monthly and put a sign on the corner of your own yard and code enforcers come and give you a fine for trying to have the american dream...When your sick and have no insurance to see a doctor and you go to the local Health Department for help and you work hard pay taxesand do whats right......you sit amongest many others of different culture and wait for your name to be called and never to hear it called..only to realize they called it in spanish by mistake .......And ask for help only to watch many others go ahead and then tell you ,you don't quilify .......The point I'm trying to make ...is that we need to help this country ....OUR COUNTRY...when our childred are feed, our health is taken care of.....And we all have shelter........then and only then can we say we can help others.......
As it has been established that 45,000 Americans are killed by the health care business in the uS every year, it is far past time that Americans acknowleged that the greatest threat Americans face is from conservatives who chanpion the status quo and oppose socialized medicine.
republicans and conservative Democrats should be treated as the threat they are, a threat much worse than that posed by overseas "terrorists".
Americans are infinitely more likely to die at the hands of domestic conservatives than they are to "terrorists". Again, It's time we began treating conservatives as the murderers that they are.
tdbyaya: You said:
"We had Republician Congress for the last 8 years who were YesMan to everything Bush wanted."
You might want to jog you memory or do your research, the Democrats controlled Congress the previous 2 years of Bush's Presidency: 2007 AND 2008, not the Republicans.
Remember per Constitution: Congress controls the purse strings, not the President.
That's why in the 1990's when the Republicans took control of Congress the remaining 6 years of Clinton's Presidency had a surplus. The prior 2 years with Clinton as President and the Democrats controlling Congress were a disaster. And Clinton has acknowledged it.
My Dear American,
We can blame ourselves for this mess. We overspend using credit cards. We bought houses we could not afford. We borrow money from bankers and mortgage that are truly dishonest. We had Republician Congress for the last 8 years who were YesMan to everything Bush wanted. We have employers who outsource to increase their profits. The rich we rich and the poor get ever poorer. The stock marker are a bunch of gamers with our money. How can someone collect on your death other than your family members? There is something wrong with that.
Healthcare. I working in the healthcare industry. We know that insurance carrier deny services on daily basis. I do not think no one should be denied due to Pre-X. We see patients in ER on daily basis no insurance. Hello! They are not illege aliens. Just regular American with valid citizenship. They lost their jobs, some with jobs and cannot afford insurance. We just increase minimum wage this year.
Tell me why you are giving a small fringe element so much coverage? They are wackos. Let's have some serious coverage of the issues. I'm really tired of this right-wingnut coverage.
And tell me why there is absolutely NO COVERAGE on CNN and the rest of the MSM about the Mad as Hell Doctors?
Regards,
Carol Herbert
Mad as hell" Well, I guess the 24 hour media have something they can exploit for ratings. I wish the people would get "mad as hell" and throw the Robert and his morning show out the window.
Why give a podium for idiots like Frank Luntz to spread his stupidity. Now CNN is out there with any ridiculous, and outrageous thing they can make up, even if it isn't true. With all fasces of our messed-up country being cleaned up. I think it is a must to clean up cable media. Maybe completely ban most of it from broad casting. Only those that are creditable journalist, not just talking head .
I am saddened by the amount of folks in here who still think its the repubs. I dont care for either party right now. That is where the anger is coming from. Racist. I am so tired of that. See the guy carrying the gun at the protest. Here's a hint. He's not white. Please take off the repub, racist, right wing blinders. Really look at what is going on. I am angry that there is a ton of people with internet access who are just singing the demo party line. Stop being sheep and open your eyes.
i am hopeless for Americas future the congressional committees must make the changes necessary to curtail the executive compensation it is out of control i have been out of work for a year and they are making so much please curtail that. Slowly this kind of financial disparity is evolving into a threat to national security as our way of life is striped from us year after year and so forth. keith
"of you that are part of the “obama nation” seem to think that those that oppose obama are uneducated, red neck racist, that live in “tent cities”,"
no...we think you are lunat5ics who don't know your posterior from a post hole who are defending the very crooks who are vleading you by the nose to the poorhouse.
Uneducated? That goes without saying. Otherwise you wouldn't be fighting to keep from having health security like that which citizens of EVERY other industrialized nation are guaranteed by their government. and whoever told you that "uneducated" and college degrees were mutually exclusive?
Red neck? Of course. That goes without saying.
Live in tent cities? Not by any greater percentage than any other demographic ... good you didn't mention trailer parks though.
Those of you that are part of the "obama nation" seem to think that those that oppose obama are uneducated, red neck racist, that live in "tent cities", listen to Rush and other extrem right wing nuts, sorry to disapoint but some of us have college degrees, some of us even attended and gradurated from high school. As for me I read the news on CNN, Fox, foreign newspapers, and do not partake of people like Rush. Its a real shame that we do not have a news outlet that is "center", Cnn is left and Fox is right, I seem to lean to Fox. Most of us that oppose obama are not right wing nuts, we are just fed up with the present administration and our congress. Period......
Because we are a bunch of whiners. Every last one of us. On the whole, every segment of the population is far better off, even in the midst of a recession, than it was 75 years ago by every single measure. We are mad because the more we have the more we want and the more we think we are "entitled" to. We are mad because of the unforgiving political partisanship that chokes the airwaves of debate because it cares for nothing other than the 2010 election and our representatives' desire for life long public employment. We are mad because Congress has sold the American soul to special interests.
Stacy, Diane, rob.
You have apparently are watching too much
M edia's
S tate controlled
N ational
B arack
C hannel
It is quite sad to see so many ignorant people making declarations about health care when they have no understanding of the present system. I hope they will refuse to accept Social Security and Medicare benefits so those who are really in need can have these life lines. Presently, there is rationing of health care. Insurance companies dictate how long a patient will remain in the hospital for a medical problem. Hospitals have Utilization Review Departments. These departments review a patient's stay and if they feel that treatment is no longer necessary, they will insist that the patient be discharged that same day. Presently, patients wait for months for appointments with primary care MDs or specialists. They must obtain prior approval for tests, specialists and even hospitalization. End of life counseling is really the opposite of "dealth panels." It means that if you are 95 years old and are on life support and you have advised your family and/or MD that you want to be kept alive at all costs..you will be.
If you lose your health insurance, you may get COBRA. Those premiums are much higher than what you were paying while working. When your COBRA is terminated, you can get a conversion policy but that is even more expensive. I truly hope that the woman who was smoking her cigarette and wishing for the good old days, never needs any help because I certainly do not want my tax dollars spent on someone who refuses to educate themselves as to the facts.
Powerless? Yes. (But, it was the Bankers..not the federal government who made me feel powerless.
Money Rules the world.
Bankers and money center banks like AIG have an incidious power.
Not even Obama can make those bankers lend out the bail out money and stimulate the economy.
Why? How about interest rates have only 1 way to go "UP" and bankers do not want to tie themselves to long-term loans at low interest.
Even Obama said (look it up), he was surprised...
"...you know the president has a lot of power, but, even I, could not make the banks lend out money."
(paraphrasing..but it was definitely said – in a intereview where he was asked, "What surprise you the most, Mr. President, about the presidency?"
And, yes, the Bankers NEEDED REGULATION and OVERSIGHT.
Nobody in government wanted to 'tackle the bankers" in the recent past.
Now – Obama...and now the World Governments SEE the need for some regulation –
closing the barn door after the horse escapes.
But, better late than never.
The information age is useless if all information is tinged with opinion.
The American way of life is wrong. A good life isn't necessarily derived
from more consumption. Children need to be taught ethics, respect and patience in school. People in America are too heavy. It's time to
get off the couch, put the fork down and get moving. As I drive around
the country, I wonder where everyone is. You don't see people out with
their kids enjoying the weather or playing outdoors. Why? As the economy improves, and it will, the people will go back to their selfish ways looking to improve their selfish lives with more consumption.
Without a true belief system based on God's laws, this is all these people have to live for.
funny, when the anger comes from the right we must fix the anger and the angry people. when it comes from the left we must fix policies and views of the right. try focusing on what people are angry about (cnn) as you would if the anger was coming from the left.
Also, looking out for yourself interest is not the same as being selfish.. we are not selfish because we don't want to share despair equally. anyone unhappy with their current situation has 2 choices. work hard and improve your situation or wait for government to fix it. Those of you waiting for government, you been waiting for government for 75 years. how's that working for ya?
I'm from Maryland and I moved to Pa 2 years ago. I'm sorry but Obama was right on target when he made that statement. I have witnessed mean and angry people who call them selves church going people. If you are an outsider like I'am they treat you like dirt!!!!!!!!!!! They are hypocrites, because I grew up going to Catholic school and Sunday school and Church and I was taught to be kind to everyone. I'm 49 and I still carry those values with me. People in PA will go to church on Sunday, come out of church and if you look at them the wrong way they would threaten you with a gun or give you the finger!!!!!!!!!! Two years and I'm still treated like an outsider in my neighborhood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only way to stop the anger is to shut the Republicans UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are only stating all these lies so when 2012 comes around Americans are so angry at our Democratic President, they will vote Republican, no matter who is running, even if it is Sara Palin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fringe right and gun loons aren't the only ones who are "Mad as Hell".
CNN should cover the "Mad as Hell Doctors" who are currently touring the country raising support for single payer health insurance which would give Americans the same right to health care that citizens all industrialized democracies (and even a smattering of countries lacking that distinction) enjoy.
http://politizine.blogspot.com/2009/09/mad-as-hell-doctors.html
I won't hold my breath.
small piece of a paper my daughter wrote for school
“Fine then, I just won't eat!” my little sister cries out loudly when the family voted for Burger King and she wanted McDonalds. She must have learned this behavior from our society. Is this what our society has come too?, that when the majority wins the vote the minority throw a hissy fit and refuse to 'eat', not willing to offer a hand to our country?
I am so disgusted that 'adults' our leaders behave so childishly, refusing with their arms crossed all huffy, to even read the proposed bills for congress to to vote on. With anger and rage caused from fear these 'children' slander and belittle our president and democratic party.
What is it that makes people so afraid of change? I for one am so excited to see what the possible positive changes president Barrack Obama has set forth. What if, he stop the wars, slow down global warming, care for and educate the less fortunate children in our society, and what if..., just ask yourself that question.. what if.
How about CNN cover the "Mad As Hell Doctors" group traveling across the nation in support of single payer health care, with their final destination and rally being in DC on September 30? Why don't you cover this news? Don't your corporate overlords permit it?
I realize the phrase is not copyright material, but the "Mad as Hell Doctors" madashelldocs.com, have been using this phrase before and during their cross country trip which will end up in D.C. at the end of September. Their personal sacrifice in the attempt to educate and strive for a single payer system should at least be acknowledged by CNN.
We are all screwed because BOTH sides are to blame Lobbyist work Both side but dummies on both sides fail to see that. All politician want is to get re-elected and that is all. why don't we have term limits please someone tell me why I don't care what party you are. we need to do this. If we do not put in term limits we are going to be a third world country in 30 years. No one is talking about why heath care is so expensive 20 years ago people did not sue everybody like they do now That is the problem but you don't hear anything about it, Why because 90% of congress is lawyers These idiots could not change there tire and we vote these dummies to run the country because they have a good looking family and think they take a great family photo or we think they are entitled to it. George Washington could have been King of America but He choose not to when he left office he was broke because he gave his last 20 years for the country. I wish we could find one person, I don't care what color or gender they are that has the same put the country first approach as he did but that is not going to happen because it has became more of a sporting event that real life. There has to be a winner and a loser and in the end we all lose. When the elections come back around vote for the person that is not in there. we need to clean house.
In my opinion President Obama is one of the most transparent (in the sense that he is giving weekly interviews informing America of his future intentions) presidents that we have ever had. When the USA PATRIOT Act was enacted, there wasn’t any type of large public opposition until “the deed was already done”. Previous president’s actions have basically said, this is what I HAVE done with our country. President Obama is saying, this is what I would LIKE to do with our country. This approach leaves room for agenda filled opinions and “sense of duty” opposition. We all have our own opinions about the reasoning behind some of the recent “we the people uprisings”. Mostly I believe that the MAJORITY of these reactions are from the lack of clarity received with the abundance of transparency. On the other hand maybe everyone is just mad as hell at this economy. Hmmmmm
Peace and Love
Anika said: "How could this be when so many other important events have taken place in this country prior to this administration and have gone without the hate spewing rhetoric of today’s debate?"
Lady, were you asleep the last 8 years? The attacks against the current administration have been almost entirely on policy, the attacks against the last administration were largely personal. The fact that he is going to double the debt is enough to oppose this plan. How long do you think we can afford this "revenue neutral" plan?
Mary,
Guess I'm one of those far right gun owners that doesn't like the government getting involved with me exercising my constitutional rights.
I'm sorry about your daughter and her friend being robbed, but do you really think that the scum bags that robbed them will adhere to new laws when they don't adhere to the current ones? New laws don't impact criminals, they impact law abiding citizens. We don't need new legislation on guns, what we need are the local, state and federal governments to enforce the laws already on the books.
This summer my daughter and her friend was robbed at gun point on our front porch as they came home from work. The robbers were 4 teenagers who were just driving by, saw the girls get out of the car, pulled up, jumped out, ran up on the porch & put guns to the heads of the girls & took their purses.
I watch your piece about guns this morning, and I am "mad as hell" about how every time there is any legislation about curbing the proliferation of guns the NRA & the far right gun owners go nuts. There are simple too many guns out there & something needs to be done. Having people register their guns, go through a background check & getting a licence DOES NOT translate into the government taking anyone's–except lunitics & criminal–from having a gun.
Hey Robert Webb,,,,,,will all the illegals be put on the insurance rolls when the Pres and the libs in congress grants them immunity. They have been planning for that for years. Research things for yourself and quit acting like a mindless sheep.
So, everyone against the whitehouse and Mr. Obama's policies have their opinions based in race. Then the same would also apply to those liberals who opposed Clarence Thomas and Condoleeza Rice.
Just for the record people that seem to be soooooo worried about illegals getting health care, they actually already have it. It is called the ER. You see they get sick enough go to the ER and CANNOT BE TURNED DOWN. Do you think they pay the bill? No that raises the cost of health care for everyone else already. The bill the President wants will not put them on as a canidate for health care, and most right wingers just won't listen and believe it will. The only thing that is going to bring down cost is a public option to get the crazy rich insurance companies to compete for once and stop denying sick people coverage, seriously shame on people who do not want to take care of their fellow Americans. Illegals is a moot point that will have to be dealt with later, they will have the ER no matter what.
Just for the record people that seem to be soooooo worried about illegals getting health care, they actually already have it. It is called the ER. You see they get sick enough go to the ER and CANNOT BE TURNED DOWN.
George is absolutely correct in his assessment. Protest is not new in our country. The only 'new' aspect is who is doing the protesting. And diversity is no longer celebrated because it has become a bone of contention and aggression. The unwillingness of our leaders to enforce existing immigration laws and the civil protests fomented by illegal alien activists serves only to further anger legal citizens already suffering the effects of unemployment, higher taxes and underfunded hospitals.
The current leadership deliberately invites discord by its refusal to LISTEN to what the majority of American people want. The country remains more conservative than not but this administration refuses to acknowledge that. While the left derides the right and its media, it meekly swallows the current administration's agenda, hook line and sinker, without even considering the ramifications. Warning America: this scenario has been played out time and time again with dire results.
Why Mad as Hell. I am tired of all our representatives treating us as idiots. The government has spent our Social Security, given money to banks and insurance companies. Now the Health Care Program. Our reps say only people making over 250,00 WILL BE TAXED. There our other ways to be taxed. They have already removed deductions for credit cards and are now contemplating no deductions for mortgage and personal property taxes. Local governments are now increasing their fees for licenses and changing sales tax.
The government does not create anything except for debt. The stopped social security cola but still gave them selves raises.
Yes I am mad as hell even withing CNN who distorts the facts.
Robin Mead the other day excitedly said the government has created 200,00 jobs. DUH guess who's paying
If you have to ask why we're angry then perhaps you need to find another line of work. To all of you who think that this country is headed in the right direction, I posit that your selfishness is exceeded only by your laziness. You would rather take from the so-called 'haves' rather than work for it yourselves. Our forefathers and all those who have sacrificed on your behalf are surely spinning in their graves.
Why is everyone so angry? I thought it was every americans dream to live in a totally bankrupt and socialist country. If you are a true liberal, or just a mindless sheep, you should be really excited about the future.
Generally speaking, the spirit and behavior of our nation is a reflection of leadership or the lack of leadership. We reflect the divisive and tumultuous spirit of Washington (primarily) and other leaders.
In addition, we have seen passionate protests and anger in years, even decades of the past (the war protests and race riots of the 60s and 70s; marches protesting abortion and the bombings/shootings at abortion clinics; the race riots in L.A. of 1991; the Oklahoma city bombing; the war protest during the last administration). I am sure many other examples can be cited.
We have become a nation that does not celebrate its diversity but has allowed diversity to divide us not geographically or in our pursuit of wealth, but divided us in our private opinions (our kitchen table talks), our emotions and our political persuasions.
Unfortunately, all of us have allowed, significant influencers like the media, politicians, religious leaders and others to contribute to the divisiveness that we experience by not thinking for ourselves and following these pipers. For example, I just heard a promotion on CNN for "Latino in Amercia", a follow up or sequel to "Black in America" I suppose. Give me (us) a break please. Why not a special program on "American in America" promoting those who are doing things to overcome problems and promote beliefs and principles that have historically made our country strong and successful? Why focus on our differences? I believe we can still be a great and successful country if our focus is on the unifying principles that have inspired us in the past.
America is "Mad as Hell" I suppose because it is being antagonized in many respects by its leaders, its influencers, its industry and its special interests.
I am extremely saddened as I watch the news daily showcasing the loud boisterous crowds, fused with anger, protesting the President. A President who is trying to institute needed health care reform. Reform which promises to aid millions of Americans living without any type of healthcare, and possibly aid those who have experienced huge increases in the cost of their current health care plans.
While there is no perfect plan and I myself may not agree completely will all that may be instituted, it is amazing how these large crowds have chosen to gather, at times threatening violence by showcasing their "Right to Bear Arms" in order to protest the possibility of change. For each person who has chosen to gather in this fashion, I have the following questions:
"Where were you when this country began experiencing such an economic downturn that it was being compared to the Great Depression?"
"What have you done to protest the insanely high rates of foreclosure and joblessness across the country?"
And more importantly…
"What demonstrations have you participated in protesting the deaths of thousands of young men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan?" Military members who have been killed fighting for your freedom and yes your right to free speech.
Is this fight and the anger spewing from your lips really about healthcare? How could this be when so many other important events have taken place in this country prior to this administration and have gone without the hate spewing rhetoric of today's debate?
Really…let's stop letting fear and hatred guide us!
I worked in the criminal justice system for 25 years. I have also been an avid hunter since childhood. In both instances I find that responsible gun ownership is a right that all Americans should have both for providing food for their families as well as protection if the need arises.
In so far as family protection is concerned: In this day and age we have many thheats to our lives and families and you must believe me when I tell you... 98% of the people who commit crimes are NOT in jail.
Next year there is a group going to Washington for the "Second Ammendment March". I suggest everyone interested in preserving the right to have guns visit their web site.
I am mad as not about it is so ignorant why do you need to protect themselves .Why not come together and find out why people use guns .What can we do to stop people from using guns .I am mad as hell not about guns and the bad economy and why it will get worst as things get worst .I am mad as hell at all the media you people make me sick all of the media outlets can pat themselves on the back for being responsible for 90 % of the problems of the world expecially the usa where no one seems to be able to think independently .
I sit and watch this country fall more and more and i solely blame it on the media why it is five years of trying to get all of you guys to listen ,no one will .At times because of you guys i am tempted to sway from my belief and what i know to be true and good morals to live but .I am tempted to tell my so to be like everyone else but i have to keep my composure and morals amnd integrity in place and be presisitant in my way of life .
The media is responsible for more problems than guns expecially the big networks .All you care about is ratings and the rich and famous .You are basically saying to the majority of the people you do not matter unless you are one of the elite choosen rich and famous .I hope all of you sleep good at night .The road the heaven is short and narrow and the one to hell long and wide and by the way no amount of money can buy life .Neither can anyone spend that money after death . Go ahead moderate this comment and not post it like you always do .I guess i am too honest and straight foward .
The bailouts were not to save the American people. The bailouts were done to cover up the government corruption. They used taxpayer money to try and fix the mess they had caused and to cover up their corruption that had caused the economy to collapse.
Taking America Back means taking America back from the government. The government has too much control and they are corrupt to the core. Congress does not listen to the people anymore. They are suppose to carry out the wishes of the people, but they do whatever they want and the hell with the people. The majority did not want the bailouts, they used scare tactics and did it anyway. The majority wants them to stop spending money that we don't have, but they use scare tactics and do it anyway. The majority do not want government run healthcare and they are hellbent on doing it anyway. Congress is responsible for our ecomony crashing. They were the ones behind Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Every last one of them should resign and never be allowed to run for public office again and then we should hold special elections in every state to vote a new congress in. The congress in place now has failed the people and will only continue their corruption.
I'm mad too; looking at all the people from this great nation; to get a good grip of reality. You should start with you local and state government. You the ones that help built your state, you the resources of your state, you the ones that voted for your officials, why are they not helping you to decide for your life. Illegal or not, the officials of your state should be able to make you safe in your decisions for life.
The nation will. Be at a crossroads with this issue because no matter the outcome there will be ways to get guns. Although it is our right to have guns and to take that away is aganist our admendment rights. It will tske a lot to get it passed
Carol,
Conduct a survey & you should be able to confirm 2 things
1. >80% of the whiners (screamers) are the election losers! They didn't vote for Obama!
2. They are right wingnuts - their logic ain't add up!
1-2 disruptive students can ruin the entire class! The teacher needs to sock it to those disruptive kids! This video interview of the tea partiers confirms my points!
http://bit.ly/oR0Z1
- from someone who voted for Reagan & I'm not black!
Folks, watch the Jesse Ventura speech "Rally for the Republic" from last September on youtube. Both Democrats and Republicans have been blasted because of the National Debt, violating our constitutional rights, and being dishonest with the American citizens. Corruption doesn't just occur in Washington, but in all levels such as New York state; Springfield, IL; Lansing and Detroit, MI. It's time to stop voting for Ds and Rs and bring back our country.
Seems like those that say "They' (GOP/Conservatives) are mad they lost the election' choose to forget about the Gore camp's attitude the last eight years! Bet the majority of the administration lovers here don't work or have a gov't job. You know, lack of responsibilty: "It's somebody else's fault not mine!". The "government" should take care of me/owes me, etc. Must all be ACORN employees or clients: "Screw the government and responsible society".
I'm mad as hell that CNN, you as a NEWS network, only covered parts of George Stephanopoulas' interview with President Obama. Hello your failure in the decision of not covering his feelings or lack of feelings about ACORN is unbelieveable. Oh by the way before you claim I'm some off wing nut, I VOTED FOR OBAMA and I'm a white male. But you explain to me how this part of the interview was not covered when Obama said this is not the biggest issue facing the country and that he's not paying alot of attention to it. How is this not a major issue? The fact is the continue waste of our tax dollars may not be an issue for you either? If that's not an issue for you or Obama, then can you guys give me your checkbooks and let me write countless checks spending all your money on what ever I want never ask me what I'm spending it on even when it overdrafts and just keep putting more money in ithe account and trust I have your best interest in my mind? I didn't think so! You would just say I lost my mind!!!! But that's what Washington is doing to us now.
Im white male 62 years old and mad as hell at the lies, hate, racism., hat shown against Obama by Republicans, Americans and Lou Dobbs.
where is the compassion for those who need health care and if the don't get it they may die or lose everything. This could be your children or grandchildren who will someday need it. Oh yes, maybe even you if you are not yet 65.
Trust. There has to be trust in the government for it to function properly and there is little left in ours.
It is not time to get mad, it's time to get busy. Actually, that time is overdue.
The folks that are angry are mad about the outcome of the election last November. Nothing that this President or Congress does is going to change the collective tantrum that is being so heavily covered in the media. That's all there is to it.
I have been giving this issue a lot of thought over the last few months. I am more than 'mad' I am concerned for our future as a people and for the children of this country that we are setting this example for. As one of the first boomers I resent the comment made previously. We are as diverse a generation as any other but we answered the call of serving others in our varied and diffferent ways. Over the twenty years of that generation 1946-1966 the Boomers gave of themselves to the country...warrior, peace corp volunteer, protester, peace lover, searcher, environmentalist, explorer, barrier breaker, racial integrator, and witness...to the horors of war, assasinations, riots, beatings, slum housing, city burnings, presidents leaving, black children blown up, white children shot, and we were probably the last generation that got a bang up education in this country, and we were Mad as Hell. But you know what, it was different, different than now.
The country was torn and bleeding one side against another, a generation gap, a racial gap, but now it's torn and bleeding and doesn't know itself or each other. Who is the enemy?
Here is my best guess on who and what is to blame:
1. You, the media, 24/7 media. The Right.... Fox, Rush, distorts, lies, riles and feeds the monster of hate and loathing and fear. The Left....MSNBC, leaves no room for error on their side and so there is no gray. CNN, tries to balance in the middle but Headline Baits...news that belongs on page 6, below the fold is hinted at, wink, wink, possibly might be, could it be? and there we have it, suspicion, a small, black, little gnawing thing that you build on and in some people's suspicious, small, black little minds it grows into fear, hate, and the biggest monster of them all.....LOW SELF ESTEEM. It drives the whole process .
2. IQ. I wish they could do a poll of the Intelligence Quotient of the people who stand with their silly signs wanting their country back, Obama in Hitler drag, death panels ala Palin, and the rest of us. I truly believe that you would find an interesting outcome. Not if they went to this or that grade in school. I've met Phd's who were utter morons. And when people feel they are not as bright or as educated or as well-informed as 'that guy' guess what that feeds?....LOW SELF ESTEEM. Now we have these millions of people who feel stupid(they'd never use that word, they call us elitists), they look around at their peers and see what things they cherish....guns, god, (not just any god, BORN AGAIN GOD) small town values(?), hard working, blue collar, union, volunteer firemen, Okay, you say why didn't They get all riled up with Bush.....well, my dears, because Bush was also stupid with low self esteem, born again, used guns, and pretended to be all those other things and talked with a twang. Now we have an educated, mixed race(of course Jimmy Carter is right, who are we kidding?) self confident, well spoken, (no twang) common sense, for the good of all, president. Good of all? When was the last time we passed ground breaking legislation in this country? Civil Rights? Will we ever again be able to behave as a civilized country working together in one direction without being at war? Can we legislate manners, common sense, values like patriotism, honor, honesty, pride in self, respect, accountability, responsibility,nationalism, working together for a common good .....things we learned as scouts, in the military(guess not any more since those pictures came out). Who will teach this generation, the next generation these values? The people at those rallies, Rush, Sarah, the Republicans in the Congress, the Democrats, I had hoped that the country would listen to Obama's words and not rush to destroy them. I was wrong. It was more important to them to be right, than to be American, or at least what American used to mean....'ONE nation under God, INDIVISIBLE, with liberty and justice FOR ALL
We'd better figure this out fast, we'd better learn to talk to each other instead of screaming, we'd better learn to respect the things each other loves and cherishes......we'd better realize we're more alike than we are different.
I grew up in a small town, blue collar parents and immigrant grandparents in a union, hunted with guns, church every Sunday(Catholic though not born again), had more values than I could carry in a wheelbarrow and still do, but I never thought I wasn't smart, never looked around and thought of government as the enemy(well, maybe in the 60's but not because they were smart, they were dumb). I grew up in New England. Town Meeting, knew how to speak your mind, were part of the process, never felt alienated. I'm ashamed to watch these meetings that you so lightly call Town Hall Meetings...and you should be ashamed too. Town Meeting is the last best hope of Democracy in this sad and torn and fearful country. Try running those meetings like a Town Meeting. Try showing respect, and if you can't you're out of there. It's time for accountability.,,,, for dog poop on the sidewalk, for litter on the highway, for bullying a kid on the playground, for swearing at an elderly woman on the street, for breaking a window, for defacing a public building, for dumping out a bucket of flowers in the downtown Square, for speaking out of turn at a meeting, and for yelling out that the President of the United States is a 'liar'. You can't know how many times I screamed that at the TV when Pres. Bush was speaking. But if I had said that in public to his face I would hope to god that I would have been escorted out of the hall and placed in custody. Is a public official above that kind of accountability? Sports figures, music figures, screen actors, now government officials all disrespectful, rude, breaking rules, breaking laws, and many, many getting away with it or receiving ridiculous punishments. I guess I've gotten off topic, but I am so fearful for the children who watch day in and day out the outrageous behaviors of these adults. A man telling the country to do whatever it is you have to do.....I think that's what the boys at Columbine did....after they had been bullied beyond what they could bear and no one noticed..... in a Born again community no one knew.........no one was close enough to those boys to know! We have to do things better, we just have to.
I will say it's not " MAD AS HELL" but "RACIAL AS HELL". This is what the Republican supporters are. Thanks to people like McCAIN,Limbaugh,Romney, Pawlenty,Cheney ,Palin.
Hello, America? The TEA Party protests are not "anti-healthcare reform" – every American wants healthcare reform. They are opposing putting the government in charge of it! Many of our most powerful Washington politicians are heavily invested in healthcare companies. Do you really think they will vote on the best interest of 'we the people' when it comes to healthcare? Or, will they vote in favor of their financial portfolios? C'mon – we've seen how corrupt they can be – might I remind you of the AIG executive bonuses that were tucked into the Stimulus Bill in the middle of the night behind closed doors before it was signed? Why? To protect their Wall Street pals. And 'we the people' get to pay for it. Same thing will happen with healthcare. The bills put forth thus far are laden with open doors for loopholes for corruption, special interest favor swapping, etc. Our current leaders in congress – both parties, have become far more interested in serving tthe best interest of the special interest groups that pad their campaign funds than serving the best interest of 'we the people.' They just use 'clever' wording to try to sell us on this. Americans ought to be able to see right through this stuff. They say, "They'll cut waste fraud and abuse." Yeah – right? These are the same guys who generally make the waste, fraud and abuse in the programs they are supposed to run for us. Putting congress in charge of America's healthcare reform is about like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. It won't be good for any party of "we the people." Americans cannot expect Washington to truly 'reform' anything, until we first 'reform' them – by voting incumbents out before their greed for money and power can overshadow their desire to serve the best interest of 'we the people.' Eventually they'll get the idea – America is a free republic where the government is run by its' citizens – not a dictatorship where a corrupt government controls the people. Americans fell asleep for a while and politicians got away with too much corruption. I'm glad to see Americans waking up and taking interest to 'take their country back.' (That doesn't mean back in time. Hello? It means back from the corruption in government!)
Yes, Americans are mad and rightly so. Don't be confused thinking this is about race, this has nothing to do with race. The Tea Party participants are NOT just white, they represent every race and color, and they are Americans. The Federal Government has overstepped its authority to impose what they want to do with health care and everything else they have done with bailouts etc. The Federal Government is responsible to us, not the other way around. Our Liberties and freedoms are being eroded and trampled on; when you hear people saying they want their country back it is for those reasons.
We, the middle class are mad because:
1. The government bailed out banks, automobile industry, union healthcare, wallstreet brokerage firms and nobody paid for this bad management except for the middle class tax payer. Those that do not pay taxes did not pay for this.
2. The government healthcare system, Medicare, is the one that is in financial trouble, yet congress does not say how it is going to fix it, instead it goes after the benefits the middle class have to fix that. Why not show how to fix medicare and use that as an example of how to fix the rest of the system?
3. The Democratic Congress says 13 million illegals will not get healthcare, but refuses to make them have a "medical ID card" in order to prove eligibility. And, we the middle class taxpayers know we will have to pay for them if that is not done. Every insurer checks eligibility why is this not a part of any bill?
While we are talking about healthcare, what does affordable mean?
We are the ones getting laid off because of what government did or did not do in the financial mess of mortgages, and regulation or lack thereof of the financial markets, and we are tired of all of this. It is time for someone to pay and take responsibility.
Carol Costello's "Mad as Hell" came off as more tabloid press!
Please, CNN reporters, devote time to in-depth issues rather than responding only to those who 'yell the loudest.'
This "Mad as Hell" style press coverage is not only maddening but doing real damage to our America democracy–contributing only to the 'dumbing down' of anyone who happens to fall victim to viewing this bad television–and doesn't know any better!
I am mad as hell! Where is the money that the bank was given to help people with their mortgages??? I have lost 24% of my annual salary and now face foreclosure because the bank told me that I had to be delinquent in order for them to help us. Well, our loan modification has been denied! The government has lied to us once again! We have a VA loan, but our bank is stating the bail out money is only for freddie mac and fannie mae loans.
In order for us to save our home, we have to give up one of cars and our health insurance in order to afford the re-payment plan. The bank was one that told us we needed to be late, now we are in a larger debt then when we first started! I have written to President Obama, did not receive a response, I called my congressman Bill Posey, his office directed me to the fair housing department. I already had all of their phone numbers.
I have written to Senator Bill Nelson, he is our last hope. In the mean time, I have no faith in President Obama. I feel lied to! Thanks President Obama!
It stands repeating: RUSH, HANNITY, GLENN and DRUDGE, with all the evil known to man, have gone on a warpath and have released their minions – lower to middleclass white men and women with limited education to "TAKE THE COUNTRY BACK". The republican party is in such disarry that TV and radio talkshow hosts have stolen the power. FOX news serves as a recruiting tool that imbues fears and perpetuates misinformation. The Jerry Spring-ish republican led town hall meetings serve the same purpose as the first gathering that you know must happen for Al Qaeda recruitment. Soon, men and their sons, perhaps mothers and daughter will be convinced their involvment to deploy evil deeds in the name of "SOMETHING" is morally right. If that seems far fetched, ask yourself this question: HOW DID WE GET TO THIS POINT? And, if we reached this point, when will the anger turn to violence and will it stop? Take the country back to when? Take the country back and give it to who/what to control?
@ kathy, you wrote – "Tired of biased news like ABC,CNN, MSNBC, NBC, etc"........wow, i think you've been watching a lof of Fix news!!!
Well Put –
Ron Mowrey and
David from Mount Pleasant SC
Mad As Hell
We depend on the government to maintain law and order in our society. When conditions stray like business monopolies that subvert the free enterprise system, government has stepped in like a referee and brought order and function back to the system, the government is the regulator, the referee and should not be the player or businessman. Citizens depend on congress to regulate our society while the people are busy earning a living and taking care of their families and communities.
The large deficit that congress and the president have created has caused the people to look more closely at what the congress and President are doing. Deficit spending in the amount of about 50% of the current budget during a time of prosperity is not sustainable. The government should not spend more then its income for annual budgets unless there is an unusual need such as a national disaster. The current congress and President are spending beyond our means for current programs, which will eventually cause failure of our financial system and damage future generations.
Awareness of deficit spending developed during the rapid succession of new programs under President Obama. People took action to stop the madness and investigate the cause about the time the health care reforms were proposed. We found that congressmen and women were responding to special interest and not the good of the country. Congress inserted pork barrel expenditures into unrelated laws to avoid discussion about them and to trade favors for campaign contributions. Congress was not representing the people. They had gerrymandered congressional districts to assure reelection of incumbents. Normal elections could not unseat incumbents. The people no longer mattered in the reelection of their representatives.
People started to pay attention to what their congressmen and women were doing and express their concern. Congress did not listen and dismissed concerns as unimportant. The tea parties were a spontaneous uprising of concerned citizens. Most of the participants were polite concerned citizens looking for away to be heard and leadership to represent their concerns. The news media only reported on the anger and the outrages signs instead of the content of the thoughtful people at the tea parties. We the people who participated in those tea parties felt betrayed by the congress and the news media. The news media has become as distrusted as congress to do the right thing for the people.
President Obama describes the problems and goals well, but he does not talk about the solutions and consequence of his proposals. He speaks words that can be interpreted in different ways. He uses conservative explanations for liberal actions. Some of us believe that he is deceitful and is using old ideas of sharing the wealth that will bring everyone’s prosperity and living conditions down to the lowest level instead of rewarding people who choose to be creative, work, and save for a better life for their children.
Now we are informed. We have studied health care proposals. We will hold congress responsible for their actions at the next election. The people have taken back our government from the special interest. Those congressmen and women that do not listen to the people, depend on special interest for reelection, or are corrupt will be replaced no matter which party they are in.
The term mad as hell does not describe the state of mind of the people. The people are informed and will hold their congress and president responsible for their actions.
Mad as Hell may or may not be a good term as to how I feel. Disappointed is the word I am looking for. I am one of those gun owners, religion loving, people who have been called name after name by the Democrats in our government for voicing my opinion. I do not want the Federal Government running my health care or any thing else. I believe that the government should protect our borders and stay out of our business. Their not doing a very good job of either. Some say look at medicare and medicaid they are good programs and I say yes they are and the government has them on the edge of bankruptcy just as all the other programs. It is far to easy to spend the money when it is not your money your working with. No I did not feel the Republicans did much better at their turn. The politicans are doing exactly what they want to do and that is grab more and more power. The United States as we know it is dying and the new world order is coming and is this what we want. I say no I am an American and I may not agree with all other Americans 100% of the time but that does not mean we are not Americans. We should not ever give up our rights and soverity for a world order. This only dilutes the peoples rights. This divide that the two political parties promote to their advantage has now divided the American people. The people need to go back to the Constitution and use it to defend the People and the Country. What we forget is that this is not the parties country or the politicans country but the peoples country. The Constitution is a truly amazing document and it spells out what the founders hammered out over months and months of work and disagreement to balance the government for the good of the people not the good of the government or political parties.
I am disappointed that We the People have let the divide of the political parties move us to such a divide in our nation that we have no voice left with out name calling and finger pointing. Yes I believe it is my right to my opinion but will fight for your right to have the complete oposite opinion and be able to voice that opinion. I do have problems with those who want to silence the others knowing that at some point you maybe the others.
I will continue to be a Christian, a gun owner, an individual, law abiding, free thinking, hard working citizen, and Beilver in the Constitution and the American People.
To David from South Carolina : You have posted the clearest, most intelligent comment I think I have ever heard!!!!!!!! If CNN will put you on the air for 5 minutes, I will buy you the plane ticket!!!!!!! But of course that will never happen. CNN and the rest of the media have a vested interest in fanning the flames of discontent and class warfare.
Of course we are mad as hell and we are scared about what is happening to our economy and our country in general. Many of you ask why we weren't protesting when Bush was the president. There were many protests on the war and 8 years of slanderous criticism of Pres. Bush – all supported by the media. My frustration is with the media coverage and Obama's use of the media. His refusal to be interviewed by Fox News says it all.
What a vapid piece this morning – no mention of the past 8 years which caused the situations that the country is in. No mention of bush's made up war – the billions wasted on it. Just a dumb non-story about working class folks in Western PA going to football games and going out drinking and smoking and telling us how 'mad' they are – and because they are mad now it is all Obama's fault. I was really surprised at this piece on CNN – really worthless.
Mad as hell? THAT'S A LAUGH...
Illegal immigration, corporate greed, outsourcing, government corruption, biased media, class warfare, loss of individual rights....everyone can BLAME YOURSELF. The founders of our country are rolling in their graves as we flush this great country down the crapper. Citizens need to remember that this is OUR country not the governments and not businesses. The Constitution is being trashed because YOU let it happen. Special interest "groups" control lawmakers because YOU let them. Our borders are POROUS as we fight a BS war overseas because YOU haven't yelled loud enough. Alot of these winers point their fingers at a Democrat or a Republican like their team isn't winning; I point my finger at both parties. This isn't a football game in which we take sides, this is the USA. Get your asses off the sidelines and reclaim YOUR country.
Dear Carol Costello,
I watched your segment and obviously that's why I'm here. If you want to know why Americans are angry, I would have to say it's a cocktail of the following reasons.
1. America's Economic outlook, dwindling employment, and the upcoming FICO score crisis.
There is an aspect to our economy that is being ignored in America. No one is yet to mention it so I will do it here and now. This recession is not going to end for some of us for well over 7- 10 years. If anyone really understands the big picture, then this will make sense.
Rising unemployent creates defaults on personal finances, which in turn destroys the individuals FICO and credit rating, which in turn effects their ability to borrow in the future, which then can possibly affect thier candidacy for employment in a job pool that is growing even more shallow. Things are going to get interesting in America when congress decides not to extend unemployment benefits for the growing numbers of unemployed.
How can economic recovery take place when millions are now faced with long term personal financial collapse as a result of this system?
2. Health Care
3. TARP Program (Bailouts Program)
4. Race Relations
5. The increased infringment on our privacy and personal liberties under the banner of homeland security measures as justification.
6. The continued wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
7. The Government allocation of General Motors.
8. The lack of Transparency within the Federal Reserve.
9. A failing Education system
10. Immigration
These are 10 major issues in conglomeration with the personal crisis many Americans are facing in the course of their daily lives. The major issues presented here are being handled with an incompetence that always remains shocking, yet predictable.
The anger we see is only the beginning. To ignore the holistic picture of our problems is to ensure their growth. Lest cooler heads prevail, revolt is imminent.
We saw an example of ignorance when the congressman stud up and called the president a liar. Never in history has a president received such disrespect than we are seeing now. The congressman was celebrated by his constituents even though the congressman was proven to be incorrect. Example number two: Why would we even question why our president wanted to speak to our kids in school. If Americans cannot trust our president how is another country going to respect Americans.
I believe there are groups of people who are manipulating people’s emotions, creating racial tension which keeps our government from moving forward with critical issues facing our nation. President Obama is trying to help people who cannot afford to help themselves. Yes, how we do that is controversial but it is wholesome unselfish action that does not warrant such anger and disrespect. The president is asking people to help but he does not want naysayers to manipulate the goal. The president has been asking for positive debate. If people have a reasonable opinion, they should send it in for consideration.
People should keep in mind how we got to where we are in history. The current president did not sink the economy in 8 months.
They are mad because Boss Rush, Glenn, and Hannity told them to be mad. Most could not tell you why they are mad without saying something that doesn't make sense.
Why are Americans angry? The answer should be so obvious, so unobstructed and clear and hold such an obvious conclusion that it should be a stated as a point of fact rather than a question.
The answer lies in the profile of those affected and where they stand in the economic order of this country. The plain truth is that they are nearly 100% middle class, people who have watched their standard of living slip over these last few decades to the point where their expenses are outpacing their incomes, where their good jobs have evaporated through outsourcing and manufacturing shut-downs, where two incomes are necessary to maintain a household, where their disposable incomes have been eaten up by any and all entities and businesses who can, and have, taken advantage of this general drop in incomes. They see ‘deregulation’ as an excuse for business consolidation, and that this new lack of competition is squeezing the heart out of American business, harkening a return to the monopolies of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (Radio, TV airwave monopolies, for instance) They see this ‘trickle down economics’ as being like a dog and a fire hydrant, with them being the fire hydrant. This is the effect, so what’s the cause?
Unfortunately, the American middle-class is feeling the devastating results of the class war that’s been waged against it, a class war that has kicked into high gear since the mid seventies when ‘Me Lords and Ladies’, as I call them – the old moneyed super rich – decided that for their own self-preservation and for the expansion of their wealth and influence, to fund the three major conservative foundations in this country who, in turn, are responsible for financing and organizing over 700 conservative think tanks, organizations that send their message daily throughout this country. The only codicil imposed on them by ‘Me Lords?’ ‘You leave big business alone,’ which they have, blaming the ills of our monetary problems on the excesses of Big Government instead of on the actual, wholesale greed that is ripping our system apart. Sadly, a great number of our middle class who have been enlisted by these causes don’t realize that they‘ve been mislead by the poisonous, anti government rhetoric, and are now suspicious of any attempt at government solving their problems.
This control of the wealthy over the less fortunate is nothing new. It’s the result of a dynamic that’s been prevalent in mankind since the dawn of our history: Hunting. The most successful hunter has always been allotted the best food, the best cut of meat, the best place to sleep and the biggest harem of women to sleep with and, when you think about it, not much has changed, except that now we’ve added commerce to the equation, but that commerce has depended on a strong middle class for its successful implementation. Factories need workers and products produced by those factories need a market, and for decades this symbiotic relationship between the wealthy and the working class has worked, but not anymore. ‘Me Lords and Ladies’ are now concentrated on the global marketplace and they realized early on that, in order to make that successful, the playing field (the disparity of incomes between different countries) needed to be leveled out – hence the need to lower the standard of living of the American workforce to be more in-line with other national averages. It’s this lowering of our standard of living that Americans are so concerned about and, as they look around, the very fact that our children are not as likely to succeed as well as their parents is one of the root causes for this anger.
The danger here is that we are assuming a ‘class’ mentality; that the rich see themselves as entitled to their wealth over anything else, and that our treasured sense of fair play, where all men are created equal, is quickly slipping from our grasp. It’s being replaced by the only model that the ‘Lords and Ladies’ have ever had – the reemergence of the class system. This reality, along with specific examples of how we got here in the first place, needs to be examined, investigated and brought to light. In that way Americans would know just what is happening to them and how it happened. There needs not to be a witch hunt here, only the honest disclosure over the nuts and bolts of our current situation.
Will this happen? Probably not. Oh, the news media may nibble away at the edges of this looming disaster, but it will, more than likely, not tackle the reasons behind out middle class crisis for fear of ruffling too many feathers. It won’t answer questions like ‘Who were the loss payees on those derivative policies issued by AIG?’ or ‘What, exactly, were the results of the 2004 Banking Modernization Act, and who was behind it?’ or ‘How do we get rid of the Enron Amendment in Chaney’s Energy Bill?’ No, I expect that GE, the owner of NBC, Disney, the owner of ABC and the like will be reluctant to expose these truths. I mean, do you really think Rupert Murdock has the best interests of the middle class in mind? Of course not.
Now, I’m just a carpenter living in South Carolina, and if I can figure it out, how long do you think it will take for the rest of the country to catch on? We need a change in our economy and the only way we can achieve this is by knowing how it is that we got here in the first place. If we don’t, then history is likely to repeat itself. We need to call a spade a spade, stop pussyfooting around and call this for what it is – a class war.
The Media (including CNN) needs to take a deep breath. You are being used by those who are opposed to the Obama administration to accent the negative.
If we (America) don't pull together and unite our forces to meet the challenges that we are faced with, we will fail together. I have noticed a shift by CNN lately to jump on the divisive band wagon; I was a FOX fan until they showed their true color during the election, that's when I switched to CNN. I guess my next stop is Local News Only.
If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it! Race has everything to do with this "state of confusion" and hate that we are experiencing.
The anger is coming from Americans who are sick and tired of being abused by lying, cheating politicians and parasites who are too lazy to work and be responsible for their own lives.
Tired of biased news like ABC,CNN, MSNBC, NBC, etc. Tired of partisanship practiced by just about all politicians. Sick of being lied to by Obama, gee, what's the definition of "is", "tax", keep your health insurer, ACORN, Van Jones. Let me list a few more: Daschle, Geithner, Rangel, Dodd, Frank, Jefferson, Franklin Delano Raines, Jefferson (LA), Jim Johnson, Richard Holbrooke, Gaylord Conrad, Nash, Davis, Ansara, Blagojevich, George Ryan, Joe Kennedy, Rahm Emanuell and the list goes on and on, Republicans and Democrats included!
Carol,
Your story is flawed. Everyone is not Mad as Hell. Most thoughtful people I know are hopeful that our country is doing it's best to recover from eight years of the worst presidency of our lifetime.
The ignorant right got us here. Roger Ailes and Fox News (the next generation of the 700 Club) promote this ignorance every day. That is the real story here. Ask your own Rick Sanchez. He'll tell you "Enough is Enough."
Please! Quit fanning the flames for these idiots. We have way to much work to do to recover from the effects of Bush, 9/11, the wayward war, and free trade. It's time to focus on restoring our American society, one day at a time. Good journalism is a key component of this recovery. You are not a journalist, and you know it.
PS.
Why are most Americans frightened and angry? Because CNN keeps reporting on small bands of bigots. some brandishing, handguns, rifles and AK-47's openly in public, while hysterically sreaming they're ready to do whatever is necessary to "take down, take back" THEIR country, (from a Black man). Now THAT'S scary and makes ME mad. Why not report on the tens of millions of normal Americans who are terrified at the level of hatred directed to our president, and by association, the rest of the USA? This ISN'T movie script or a fairy tale.
These people keep complaining that they don't have a voice?????? They do – it is called the ballot box!!!!!!!! They lost the last election!!!!! The party they support and the ideology they believe in have ruled this nation since 1980 and that ideology is responsible for almost all the current economic and international problems faced today, but they are to stupid to grasp that concept. President Obama was so right – they cling to – God : closed minded self rightousness, Guns : react with violence to ideas foreign to my ideology, and bigotry : need I say more.....
Funny how Miss Costello never pointed out that they had(and still have) a "voice" it is called the Vote!!!! Maybe she was afraid of being attacked by one of these ignorant rednecks!!!!!!
I mad as hell at the past 8 years of the past administrations actions of sticking their head in the sand on catastrophic issues such as no regulation in our financial institutions, foreclosures on homes, car industry. unemployment and on the list goes.
Here is an opportunity to help the sick, poor and dying by cutting fraud and waste. The trick is cutting fraud and waste will cut into the pockets of some of the opposers of health care reform. Why hasn't CNN reported on the financial holdings of some of these opposers and how it would change the amount of money they receive through financial holdings with insurance companies or etc.
I'm mad as hell and I say those of us that want a public health plan option should march on Washington just like those who opposed it. Tell Dick Army that an army is coming to Washington to get him and expose greed!
this is funny, CNN asks why people are mad but seems to forget their scathing attack from a woman reporter to a man and his 2-3 yrold kid at a teaparty. That is why people are mad! We where in the scariest economic times since Carter and instead of trying to figure out both sides of the debate, news outlets like CNN attack people and then cry about it when people lash back. People are frustrated that both political parties have lied, cheated and stole their way into washington yet each side protects their own instead of holding them accountable. Well at least the republicans do hold themselves somewhat accountable. Anyway, I watched the quick report this morning and thought it was well done and was suprised they did not go into the trailer parks to get their talking points. Though they never answered the real questions, just made comments. The only point i would make was about the last part of the interview. The black couple question "why are people yelling they "want to take their country back" and he asks "back to where". "I am 81 yr old, I don't want to take things back to how they where years ago" Neither do I but he missed the point. When people say they want their country back they want the power back from washington to the people. That was the point. I understand his views but I guess CNN can not finish any segment without race interjected somewhere in the conversation.
the party of no shouldn't even be close to thinking that they could be regaining seats in the house ad senate in 2010. i did not realize how the right wing get their agenda out to their people. they mobilize through conservative talk radio and i mean almost 24 hrs of beating down "the left" or "dems" or "anything President Barack Obama. if you don't know what i'm talking about, you need to listen for a bit because it is so bad sometimes, it turns your stomach. sean hannity rush limberger, mike gallager, dennis prager, micheal medved, hugh hewitt, glen beck (glen and sean hit you twice, radio and tv) with conservative talk radio they were able to mobilize to town hall rallys and say the same things they were told to say
I am mad as hell because our country is being taken by self serving politicians and the groups that endorse them. There are so many dirty tricks going on now through groups such as ACORN and the unions and the people in the United States have been so dumbed down most don't even look to see what is going on. Most of the press is absent in finding out the truth in government. The press's ideology runs their coverage. I recently was in Nancy Pelosi's town of San Francisco
and I stayed in a downtown hotel with my young children. We had a problem getting into the driveway of the Marriott hotel. There were about 30-40 union protestors with bull horns screaming at us as we went inside. 'SHUT EM DOWN, SHUT EM DOWN". This screaming lasted for about 2 hours. We asked management why the group was protesting. He said they were just a group of union people that came every couple of weeks to harass the guests at various hotels. They did not represent workers at the hotel they were trying to force the company into unionizing. My children were frightened by the uncivilized way they were acting it was very much a mob mentality. I saw no coverage of this on the air in San Francisco. I was told that these people are merely hired to create havoc and to destroy the company's business. I laughed when I heard Pelosi speak about the people that are showing discontent with the way the government is trying to bankrupt and destroy our country as being dangerous. She endorses the unions and her rhetoric towards those that have honest disagreement with her is far more vicious than what is written on a small number of the protester's signs. Corruption has been going on for too long we need to vote everyone out of office and start over with people of honesty and integrity. There is nothing that we can believe in that is coming out of anyone's mouth in Washington. It is too bad that the press is so enamored with the Obama administration that they refuse to investigate and look into the corruption on both sides of the aisle. There should be term limits for all congressmen and senators.
It is time to stop blaming Rush or Fox or Hannity or anyone for the discontent with the American people put the blame where it belongs in Washington. If we had a responsible government that didn't waste our money we wouldn't need to fear being taxed to death even though Obama doesn't want George Stephanoplous to call a tax a tax. We are being pushed off the cliff. We all need to get angry and not take it anymore. I don't see how people don't realize if we all have nothing no one will get anything. I grew up with hope but I see very little for my children. This insane spending and waste that is going on at a speed never before seen needs to be stopped. We all need to let the President and Congress know this has to stop and much of it should be retracted in order for us to survive as a country worth living in.
We wouldn't even have "TEA Party" protestors in America if it appeared our Washington politicians were listening to the citizens they work for. But, they are not – and our politicians are using 'divisive tactics' to dismiss the citizenry, which has never been seen to this degree in our country – at least not in my 40-something lifetime.
The American people are not stupid – they know they will have to pay for all this spending one way or another – higher taxes, inflation, etc. And being financially strapped, that means loss of personal liberties. Most Americans are patriotic and know we can't be a strong nation if we are weakended by debt. The capital switchboard & email servers crashed when people were expressing opposition to the bailouts, yet, our politicians passed it anyway. Same thing with the Stimulous and Omnibus Spending bills – the voices of the people have been ignored. It appears as though our elected officials are dismissing the concerns of those that put them in office, and doing whatever is best for their party's special interest groups, campaign contributers, etc., despite the economic condition of America. At some point the best interest of the country – which is 'we the people,' should come first – but, as we can tell in the healthcare debate, Washington appears to want to continue to ignore the voices of Americans. It is sad. It is frustrating because Americans feel betrayed by their own leaders in government – and do not trust them. And, for some reason, the media seems to be ignoring and dismissing the concerns of Americans. If you listen to some evening newscasters, they even call Americans names for being concerned – or protesting government actions, instead of reporting what that 'side; is all about. If our politicians are going to be divisive, and the media is going to be divisive, the citizens are going to be divisive. As an Independent, who doesn't follow one 'party', I think It is sad to see this happening in our 'free republic' – because I believe in the statement "United We Stand. Divided We Fall." All sides should be welcome and compromise should be made to find some middle ground on every issue facing our country. And, above all, common sense should prevail for the common good. The polls show Americans do not like this congress, do not trust the media and our new president is loosing support because of the divisive pollitical games. When the media starts reporting that our Washington lawmakers are working at compromise, instead of this "my way or the highway" attitude, then the citizens will feel comfortable that the process is working as it should – in the best interest of 'we the people.'
What is everyone mad about?
Could it be that everyone has ignored the warnings of the past 40 years that included: Sending jobs to a Communist Country called China, obscuring the truth about job creations. Where has all the 40 million jobs gone? China. Your jobs are at risk of going to India, China, Indonesia, Phillipians, and Taiwan. You should be mad at the corporations that have the power to sell to the public the notion that they can produce product cheaper in these countries, thereby selling it back to the public at lower prices...what lower prices?
Oh, and I love the comments about we need smaller governmen, and keep government out of my life. Well, I would love for someone to tell me what part of government would they get rid of? Medicare, Veterans, S-Chip, FEMA, Coast Guard, Police, FBI, CIA, Roads and Bridges, Airport Security, Transportation, Disability, Unemployment Services, and the list goes on and on. So, you tell me what should be cut? You should hold yourselves responsible for the mess you yourself have created by agreeing with stupid policies.
And lastly, who really is a Communist, Socialist, Hitler? I think that everyone should be "MAD AS HELL" against those in corporate America. People are expressing their energy and so called anger on really bad information. So, who is really to blame for the mess we're in? YOU ARE!
After reading the comments above. I believe Jeff Carter said it better. Our newsmedia is focusing on all the negative bliss. Which is adding fuel to the fire. I have heard all the percentages and statistical analysis of how the country feels about how the President is doing. Yet, I have not been questioned in any of these polls. The right wing wing nut as another commenter named is not the opinion of every one. Listen, americans have to understand that the majority vote one therefore, we need to listen, compromise, and understand.
What has changed is that a sizeable number of Americans are not interested in working together with their fellow Americans to build the nation back up, together with a major devaluation of the standards of behavior that used to be fairly universal in the U.S.
The people who are currently so "angry" and the media that cover their outbursts have to realize that they are no more angry than the rest of us. The election of President Obama itself was an expression of the level of anger that the dubious circumstances of Bush's first election and the actions and omissions of his administration had provoked in a lot of us.
But these current protestors seem to be different in that they appear to want to fight with their fellow Americans and don't respect anyone who doesn't agree with them. This trend started way before last year's election with a steady diet of name-calling.
Is it a coincidence that most of these mad folks are mostly old and white? Mostly from rural areas? Mostly conservatives? The demographic is quite obvious to me. I have a hunch these are folks who voted republican, folks who would vote republican anyway, who would never support any democratic policies, especially those advocated and championed by a black head of state. If it was their wish, they would rather have a republican at the helm, preferrably a white one too. This bunch is not only mad, but bitter, bitter as hell. Bitter from the historical landslide 08 elections, bitter from the ever changing cultural & intergrating society, bitter they grew up in the Jim crow like era and lived long enough to witness a black man sworn in as president. This is the same bunch that keeps getting their inspirational vitamin from the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity & Beck, radicals disguised as talk radio hosts. Times have changed, wake up and smell the coffee!!!!!
Where were all of the Tea Party zealots when we were spending billions monthly for the war, (newly purposed) to free Iraqis? You mean to tell me the zealots can understand spending billions monthly and losing American lives, but are suddenly angry when it comes to possibly providing health care to illegal immigrants?
Let's call this anger what it truly is. It has nothing to do with health care; it simply is a matter of racism. Unfortunately, this anger and racism displayed by the 'simple', only aid the Health Care Industry and its true beneficiaries—its filthy rich stockholders.
Wake up, racists; don't allow yourselves to be exploited by the corrupt Health Care Industry.
I live in a southern Republican state, in a Republican county, and let me assure you that the anger is fueled by racist Republicans who ignorantly listen to Fox and the lunatics on Fox and believe every word they say. It is also due to the fact that they cannot stand the thoughts of an intelligent African American being in the White House. As a caucasian, I am ashamed of this thought process, and utterly appalled by the disrespect of these "so called" patriotic Americans. As my husband says to our Republican friends, "Get over it! We put up with Bush for 8 years........now it's your turn". We even go to church with people (yes, we're Christians), that truly believe we could not possibly be Christians and have voted for Obama! I have never in my life experienced such radical, judgemental behavior and have to believe that it definitely is getting out of hand! Wake up America! Join together to make our country a better place! We are better than this!
Comment on "MAD AS HELL": This was a slice of life report packaged as representative of a general American anger. It is not. From the community you chose and people you interviewed to your final quote from Ronald Reagan, the message seemed to be that we just can’t get along and the American sense of patriotism and community spirit are gone. It is just the reverse. As the reporter knows well from her work in studying and covering politics, the Obama election is the direct result of the greatest groundswell of political interest and community participation in generations. It was perhaps inevitable that many in communities that more closely resemble the less diverse, less mobile and economically fragile town profiled in your report would support more traditional candidates during the election and, having lost, feel disempowered. But this anger, however heartfelt, is not the result of being cut out of the political process or ignored by the administration. Rather, it is what happens when the group out of power is frustrated by the result and rather than engaging in constructive dialogue–perhaps because they are unsure how to do so–instead retreats further into itself. The people in communities such as these are ill-served by their political leaders. Instead of stoking the fires of anger, they should console their constituencies, help them identify and articulate their needs in a specific and meaningful way and then dive into political dialogue with all parties so that their communities are well-represented. It is that type of cooperation–not a desperate nostalgia for times that never were–that is so greatly needed by every American, from a high school football game coach in Western Pennsylvania to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Shame on CNN for taking a cue from competitor Fox and perpetuating a myth of a divided America. You won’t win Fox’s viewers that way but you may well lose the rest of us.
I resent the politicians paying off the people who have enabled them to play with our money.
We are MAD as hell because the people we elected to represent us are actually disconnected from the average working person. Why should our elected servants be able to do the following:
1 – Vote themselves a raise, the average employee in this country is lucky enough to be able to keep their job.
2 – Our elected officials have created a lucrative retirement package for themselves while the rest of us have to make do with Social Security and possibly a 401K. They should be on the same system as the people. How many companies today offer a company funded pension plan?
3 – Our elected officials have let the big money interests export jobs for years while allowing foreign companies to reap huge profits here.
4 – Why has our government allowed us to trade so heavily and incur such tremendous debt with the largest communist country in the world...China?
5 – Greed is rampant in DC. Greed for money and power. With some 3000 lobbyists courting our representatives and senators I doubt they want for a great meal in a fancy restaurant while many go hungry in our country. At their salaries, how can they relate to the average blue collar worker?
6 – Forget the NYC metro area and the DC metro area where large salaries are the norm.....move out to the small cities of America in the South and midwest and see if you can live on $10 – $12 an hour.
All the good manufacturing jobs that paid a decent living wage have been or are in the process of being shipped overseas. Why? So the stockholders and the executives can make more money without lifting a hand.....so they can have that expensive imported car, the second home at the beach or in the mountains....the enormous house that could house 5 families. What has happened to the old adage..."work hard and you will get ahead." Americans are drowning and though they don't see it....our leaders will go down with us when there is nothing left....or China forecloses on the USA.
We have let our government run away with our money. It has gotten too big and too involved in so many aspects of our lives and it is now too late to stop it. Am I angry.. no, I am MAD as hell and wish I could fire them all and put people in charge that had some common sense, decency, and a penchant for streamlining our government to serve the basic needs of our society. Get rid of the waste programs that only benefit the friends of those in power.
Carol,
Do you really expect your audience to surprized that all of the right-wing bigots you interviewed for this piece are violently opposed to Obama and want him defeated? Why are you and everyone else at CNN ignoring the 500 pound goorilla in the room? It's all about INTENSE racism, hatred and bigotry. I don't think I saw one person who voted of Obama calling for his head. That guy carrying and caressing his "gun" was a joke; "OK to to interrupt the President". Duh, no surprises here.
Please get your collective heads out of ... the sand, and start reporting the stories the entire counrty knows is true.
Yes we are mad. Trillions of dollars spent on "stimulus" my children and grand children owe tens of thousands of $$$$$$$ what has it done for the country? nothing, but put us in debt! And maybe, just maybe they could have read the bill before rushing to pass it!
Yes we are mad, about government take overs of GM and Chrysler, banks, they are now taking over ALL student loans. Hum, hum kind of sounds like the health care government option!
Yes we are mad, keep the government small. Never has government intruded into peoples lives and the private sector as in the last 200 days.
As for health care, if President Obama can find $567 Billion in waste in Medicare (gee sounds like the Government is doing a great job) then lets start putting that in to a fund that we can assist the people that do not have any health insurance. There are many ways to help people with out BIG Government taking over the best health care system in the world.
I don't think they these younger folks will lose anything, Why because they haven't earned anything. The Boomers are just a bunch of old turn coats that will belive anything the right wackos say. Being a Sevier a Real Son of the American Revolution ( yes just serach the name) ansysters helped build this country and are rolling over in there graves over what so called Americans are saying and doing (Rush, Glen Beck ect ) people today don't think or can't think on there own. Yes they are called Sheep. a couple of question for the lucky folks of who I speek. 1. Did a wocko and his sheep tell Geo Washington the Revolution could only last 9 months? 2. You want your country back how far back.
As for me and my family ( 13 kids and 18 grand childern) I want my Americia to move forward ,and be all it can be. So come on
Sheep Lets start thinking on your own and give our elected Officals time to do what they have to do! Sure voice your opinion but first make sure it yours and do it with RESPECT.
If you still don't understand look up COMMON SCENCE it might help!
If the political forces that be would cut out the pandering and the posing and just do their jobs with transparency, you could'nt ask for more. Our current administration has created every crisis being reported because that's what they are best at. The media is there to aid and assist in this deception and now Americans appear to be waking up to the clear truth, only to find themselves portrayed as terrorists and radicals. May the "town hall anger" rage on baby!
America is a center-right nation that believes in individual liberty, not Statism. Our elected representatives get to Washington and think they can make decisions for us better than we can. Our Founders deliberately limited the power of the federal government precisely because men could not be trusted in positions of power not to become Statists.
We are mad as Hell because Washington politicians don't know what is better for each of us. Proof of this is TARP, stimulus, bailouts, cap & tax, socialized medicine, card check, Rangel criminality, Acorn and other community activist funding, anti-American Obama appointments, CIA investigations, continous apologies to our enemies, releasing terrorists to attack us again, massive deficits, etc. Politicans are driving our country into the ground.
More importantly, todays politicians are inciting the mass of lower class people to think those that work and create private property should be forced to give their just rewards to those that don't create the value. We will always have poor, unintelligent, lazy and unlucky people and if I want to help them to a better life, that should be my choice and not extorted from me by the force of the State. That is a sure route to obilivion.
Many of my fellow Americans have forgotten the reason that the social experiment known as America has raised the standard of living of the entire World to a greater degree than any other country. Why? Individual liberty and free enterprise. I am mad as Hell because our politicians are violating our Constitution and taking away the ability of America to continue improving our life for future generations.
My nightmare begins 09-09-07 my husband suddenly passes away, never sick a day in his life. I'm 54 and have loved him since I was 16. I've been a housewife and he earned the money. I lost everything! When the president went on air and stated they weren't going to after people I was a little relieved. When my husband passed away I tried to call Bank Of America about the mortgage they would not talk to me. I don't even have a contract. It's been tough. Then when BOA raised my interest rate to 28% and dumping fees on us left and right, I was scared. Then, you reported the billions that were directed to the bank to save them, millions went to CEO's, I was mad. Then, I recieved a letter from BOA saying they had tranfered my house to Wells Fargo and they were coming after me. REALLY???????? I'm beside myself.
Where will I end up? On the street? I've lost my faith in a country that takes all we've got and saves the big guys. Where do I go? What do I do? No compassion left in the world only survival.
The President has had an economic tsunami to deal with. Had steps been taken, years ago, to PREVENT IT, there would be no need to spend the billions/trillions now to REVERSE IT!
It doesn't help that the media, with 24 hour timeslots to fill and needing SOMETHING to talk about...something that keeps people tuned it...something they THINK is news worthy...is not helping ANYONE! Media is fanning the flames of HATE, FEAR, DISTRUST!!!!...and all to keep their advertisers happy by getting people to tune in!
I don't generally agree with Pilosi, but I absolutely agree with her about the rhetoric. All the nazi symbolism, for example, does nothing but incite rage, hate, and fear....and there are those (nutcases) who will take that rage and act on it If you don't think "words" can do that, look at what Hitler did with "words". Look at what happened to the people in our own history who were "called" witches! Look at what the KKK has done. Words MEAN something. Words can be powerful tools for good or for hate!
Unfortunately, mainstream media, in their effort to "compete" with cable "chatter", has stooped to the same lows...exploiting every opportunity to "break" a story. Reporters, when interviewing someone, if that someone doesn't say somenthing explosive, tries every trick to get them to say something explosive (so they'll have something to talk about!). I see it over and over...on all the channels. It's no longer about "breaking" the news....it's become "making" the news. Unfortunately our press is now "part of the story". is that what free speech is supposed to be about? Is that what "responsible journalism" is supposed to be about?
Yes we have first amendment rights. Everyone has a right to their own opinion and the freedom to express it. However, free speech does not mean that they have a right to have it AMPLIFIED on every channel, on all media, in or out of context!!!
Unfortunately, in our society of "money talks", responsible journalism has given way to profit margins and advertising income. I rather doubt that's what our founding fathers had in mind!