To be or not to be . . .

. . . content that is. Maybe the question is not so much whether we as a society are content, but whether we can be quietly content. In the Navy the saying goes, "A bitching sailor is a happy sailor." In other words we are most happy when we have something to complain about, which is pretty much all the time. American society seems to have a similar mantra especially when it comes to where one lives. In any given geographical area you have those who are proud of where they are from and where they live. However, there are those who constantly find things about where they live that are imperfect and they are more than willing to let those around them know. They have no intention of lifting a finger to change anything, they merely wish to complain loudly and often in hopes that someone else will be spurred to action and change things.

So why do Americans feel the need to find everything wrong with their Nation, their cities, and their communities. If they are so discontent why do they not just move. Maybe it is not a matter of being content but instead a desire to speak out about things that bother them. Maybe as stated previously they hope that their words will inspire others to action. Maybe they are trrying to find the motivation within themselves to change the things they do not like. It is not enough to think critically and to question everything, there comes a time when you must act on those criticisms and questions. In other words, "put up or shut up."