Angry White Man

An opinion piece entitled “In election 2008, don’t forget Angry White Man” has been kicking around the internet for awhile in e-mails and such. I wish I had written it. I don’t know what Gary Hubbell’s politics are, but this is a great article. He shines the spotlight on perhaps the last constituency in America not looking to Uncle Sam to resolve its grievances: The Angry White Man. Interesting that it come from the Aspen Times, newspaper of Colorado’s seat of rich, elite liberalism.

My only nitpick, and it’s a minor one, is that I know Hispanics and African Americans who also fit the “Angry White Man” category.

Presidential candidates and the press report that there is unhappiness and anger out there. They’re probably right. I think many liberals are unhappy because government fails to solve their problems. The Angry White Man is angry because there are so many helpless people waiting on the government to solve their problems instead of shifting for themselves.

Buddhism teaches that wanting is the origin of suffering. So if those who are waiting for government to solve their problems would just stop it and solve their own damn problems, they would be less wanting, decreasing their suffering and increasing their happiness. That would in turn soothe the Angry White Man’s anger. If we all took care of ourselves, it could even shut up those pandering politicians. On second thought, I don’t think even Buddha could pull that one off.

Enjoy!