Freedom to whine, but not freedom from responsibility

I just checked the Bill of Rights, and there isn't an article that gives Americans the freedom to whine (though some of you may put "whining" under freedom of speech, so I'll spot you on that one). Similarly, while the Declaration of Independence encourages us to pursue happiness, I don't think the Founding Fathers would consider owning a 5,000-square-foot McMansion (particularly one beyond our means) or a gas-guzzling SUV (ditto) an inalienable right.

But to hear some people (i.e., seemingly intelligent, upper middle class people) whining about the high price of gas, and how now they cannot afford to drive their Hummers and Land Rovers any more, you would think it was.

Yes, I am talking about you, Judith Warner, New York Times bestselling author, journalist, radio commentator and New York Times blogger, though you are far from alone.

Against my better judgement, I decided to read Ms. Warner's latest blog post, "Futility Vehicle," about how she can (supposedly) no longer afford to drive the gas-guzzling Land Rover she and her husband bought a few years ago, which the author describes in the first sentence as "a story of selfishness and greed, of self-centeredness, envy and the ignorant folly of a person too short-sighted to realize she should count herself lucky because her college education didn’t have to be paid for with the milk of a goat."

Oh yes, mea culpa, mea culpa. Poor bestselling author and happily married mother of two. Boo hoo hoo. Could someone please slap this bitch?

Similarly, years ago, I knew another seemingly intelligent woman (single at the time) who, although she made good money, spent more than she earned, and knew she was, but didn't care. Until she was forced to declare bankruptcy. Instead of taking responsibility -- i.e., not spending more than she earned or admitting she had only herself to blame -- she declared that it was the credit card companies' fault, and they didn't deserve her money. Of course, later she complained about all the problems she had because she had had to declare bankruptcy.

Hello?! Whatever happened to personal responsibility people?

Maybe Phil Gramm was right.

Don't get me wrong. I think whining can be good for the soul (and do plenty of it -- when I don't get a job I've gone after, or don't get paid, or am ill-treated by someone I thought was a friend). There are even studies that show complaining is good for you -- or better than bottling up your angst and anxiety, which can lead to ulcers or worse.

And my heart goes out to, for example, the overweight woman who exercises regularly, watches what she eats (and doesn't cheat), and still can't lose weight. Or the guy who has spent years slaving away at some job only to get laid off, just after his wife has given birth to their second or third kid or their first child is heading off to college. Or the woman who put her husband through business school, sacrificed her career for his, raised a family with him, then gets dumped for a younger, newer model. Or the family of four who makes due with one car, doesn't live in a McMansion, doesn't go on fancy vacations and who truly can't afford $4/gallon gasoline and a 10 or 20% increase in their food bill. (You get my drift.)

But please, the rest of you, you people who knew you were being selfish and greedy and self-centered, and thought that was cute or that it wouldn't catch up with you and/or blame all your problems on everyone else, please shut up.

7/14/08 UPDATE: Contrary to what President Bush just said in his White House press conference, the reason we are in the current oil crisis is NOT because Democrats in Congress, who only recently gained a majority, refuse to allow drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) or in the Arctic, the results of which, btw, should they be successful, would not be felt for MANY years -- and could create environmental problems, which could take a greater toll on our economy. (Note: I am saying could, not will.)

Our current oil crisis is not due to a handful of Congresspeople but due to years of consumption and now increased world consumption (the old supply-and-demand problem), who controls most of the oil fields, and our government's foolish squandering of the opportunity after 9/11 to get citizens to conserve energy while encouraging companies to invest in alternative fuels instead of fossil ones. Had we spent the last 6.5 years in those endeavors, and not selfishly guzzling gas, we might not be in this mess.