Our American Common Sense

You have hit the nail on the head!
Do not let the thesis be dropped once this edition has passed. As you can see from those who have responded, there is identification with being left out, used up, ignored, left unprotected and feelings of outright abuse. That a person have these reactions to very real experiences is not unique to Americans. What is unique to Americans is that the American Experience allows for one's work (whether labor of the body or of the mind) to be rewarded or consequenced based on its merit. Most of us also accept, albeit grudgingly, that luck and innate talent have a hand in the outcome. We despise cheaters, theives, liars. Most of all we hate the very thing that Peristein says is happening now: We are being ignored.
The bottom line - pass on this article to your congressmen - and you could send it to the White House as well. I am.

The tax payers that have obeyed the laws, paid the taxes and fought the wars and built this Nation are getting screwed by Corrupt/Stupid/Worthless Politicians and Greedy crooks at every level!

This is the same old scam, reward the Rich Bankers with billions in tax payers money and the invading horde of illegals Aliens with Jobs, Free medical, Free education, Welfare, Prison cells and make American Citizens pay for every Crook, Criminal, Peon, Welfare Leech and Marxist or Racist organization like ACORN or La Raza in the world!

Mr. perlstein, read through the comments and ask yourself, why are the commenters angry about the government's actions and no one is talking about anger at AIG. You seem to have missed that in your column. The villains aren't the "greedy wall street barons" -- as the president and Congress would like us to believe, rather, they are the President and the Congress.

I am astonished that Newsweek would actually publish such an article! Could "common sense" be infecting the MSM?!! The next thing you know, Newsweek may begin proposing that folks should actually work, go to school, pay their bills, and brush their teeth. Shocking.

Common sense has taken a vacation at the White House and Congress.

Obama promised us legisllation would be posted on the internet for all to read before a vote. He broke that promise with his very first bill which was filled with hidden corruption. Obama promised us he would end corrupt earmarks. He broke that promise signing almost 9000 corrupt earmarks into law. Obama promised us hope and change. We have the U.S. House of Representatives acting like a mob after getting caught guaranteeing AIG Executive bonuses because they voted for Obama's bill without reading it. We are in for a very long 4 years with Jimmy Obama!