America: Home of the perpetually offended

I’m offended.

I’m offended that a politician like Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) wastes time worrying about whether a professional football team’s name is appropriate rather than doing his job and moving already House-passed economic revitalization legislation through the Senate.

I’m offended that every time anyone criticizes one of President Obama’s many failed policies, someone plays the race card. Failure knows no color, creed or sex, and those who deliberately conflate significant and meaningful policy disagreements with race are despicable in every way.

{mosads}I’m offended that someone at the A&E network felt that the traditional Christian viewpoints held and espoused by Phil Robertson warranted his suspension. If the gay rights movement is so thin-skinned that it cannot stand honest disagreement done without condemnation, that is more a reflection on them.

I’m offended that in Houston, an American veteran has been told that he cannot fly his American flag by a homeowner association because it might be dangerous.

I’m offended that in northern California, a high school prohibited wearing shirts adorned with the American flag on May 5, because the Mexican students in the school were offended.

I’m offended that some people, under the guise of contraceptive rights, think I should pay for their birth control and abortions. This is not a moral judgment on whether they should use birth control or have abortions, it is a moral objection to their having the government force me to pay for their choice.

I’m offended that atheists have sued to eliminate the inclusion of the beams from the World Trade Center that formed a cross in the 9/11 memorial. These beams brought hope out of despair for many in that trying time, and to not include them would be a travesty.

I’m offended by those who are trying to remove “In God We Trust” from U.S. currency.

But overall, I’m offended by those who are perpetually offended. Our nation is turning into a bunch of whiners looking for reasons to find offense rather than shrugging things off and moving ahead. So, if this piece offends you, all I have to say is: Get a life.

Manning (@rmanning957) is vice president of public policy and communications for Americans for Limited Government. Contact him at rmanning@getliberty.org.