What Is Your Idea Of The Average American?

[erdieg]

At least by calling everyone Joe, the sense of unity is created.
To both sides.
You feel flattered when 1000 would turn to you in Mcdonalds.
They feel flattered that were are 1000 Joes in McDonalds.

Hitler...that would have been much cheaper!! but noooo....you needed cool outfit for youngsters insted

 

[Internet Kraken]

...

Wow.



I feel offended.

^

This.

I hope everyone realizes that the gun-toting patriots are the extreme blend of Republicans, and we really don't have many of them.

I've noticed that the whole planet thinks of us as cowboys. :/

YEEHAW!! LETS GO KILL SOME MINORITIES RIGHT AFTER I FINISH DRINKING MAH BEER AND SALUTING DA AMERICAN FLAG!!! GOD BLESS!!!

 

[Crash486]

...

Wow.



I feel offended.

^

This.

I hope everyone realizes that the gun-toting patriots are the extreme blend of Republicans, and we really don't have many of them.

I've noticed that the whole planet thinks of us as cowboys. :/

Uhm... extreme blend of republicans? It actually has nothing to do with political party affiliation. Republican party at its core believes in small government and low taxes. Somewhere along the way, the gun lobbyists, and crazy religious fanatics joined our party and have been associated with us ever since.

For the record, Bush was not a republican, he was a neo-conservative who ran on the republican ticket. The crazy religious fanatics were actually part of the democratic party until the 1970s. The only republican ideal bush followed was to lower taxes, unforunately such a practice doesn't work without low government spending which Bush didn't practice. Hence the economy in its current state.

 

[iron codpiece]

Spoiler: massive text

I'm impressed by the civility of this thread thusfar. I wonder when the trolls will get here and start flinging poo.

One thing I'm curious of... just about all of the posts here have said americans are fat/obese. I'm curious as to where this comes from. Sure America might have its fair share of fat people... but they're not the majority. Fat people stick out of the crowd (literally) as much here as they do anywhere. They're certainly not the majority, at least not where I live, and I was under the impression that I lived in one of the top 5 fattest cities in America.

Actually it's something like 58% or 68% of americans are considered 'overweight' by medical standards which is more than half; the majority!

Those same "medical standards" consider professional athletes overweight because they have too much muscle mass. However, I don't believe its that high, lets see a source on those numbers.

The most current government stats can be found here, including a really cool graphical display of the increasing problem with weight: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/Obesity/trend/maps/index.htm

Here's the % data (sorry for the sloppy format, it is less than half the pop, but it is increasing:

2007 State Obesity Rates
State % State % State % State %
Alabama 30.3 Illinois 24.9 Montana 21.8 Rhode Island 21.4
Alaska 27.5 Indiana 26.8 Nebraska 26.0 South Carolina 28.4
Arizona 25.4 Iowa 26.9 Nevada 24.1 South Dakota 26.2
Arkansas 28.7 Kansas 26.9 New Hampshire 24.4 Tennessee 30.1
California 22.6 Kentucky 27.4 New Jersey 23.5 Texas 28.1
Colorado 18.7 Louisiana 29.8 New Mexico 24.0 Utah 21.8
Connecticut 21.2 Maine 24.8 New York 25.0 Vermont 21.3
Delaware 27.4 Maryland 25.4 North Carolina 28.0 Virginia 24.3
Washington DC 21.8 Massachusetts 21.3 North Dakota 26.5 Washington 25.3
Florida 23.6 Michigan 27.7 Ohio 27.5 West Virginia 29.5
Georgia 28.2 Minnesota 25.6 Oklahoma 28.1 Wisconsin 24.7
Hawaii 21.4 Mississippi 32.0 Oregon 25.5 Wyoming 23.7
Idaho 24.5 Missouri 27.5 Pennsylvania 27.1

Nice, this is alot more what I expected to see, 25%. 1 in 4 people is high, but it's quite far from the majority. That's what happens when you throw around random statistics like 58% and 68%. Though I have to admit the media does blow it way out of proportion by claiming its an "epidemic." It's easy to think that you should be tripping over fat people in the streets. Really, the media makes a big deal out of it because it's marketable. I wonder just how much money there is to be made in the weight loss pill/treadmill market. I'm guessing a whole lot.

Not to nitpick. but... He said "I think" not presenting it as fact. Also, Ace said 'OVERWEIGHT' that's a different classification than 'OBESE'. Which is the statistic you presented. You can be overweight without being obese.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm

According to this Ace was close it says 66% are overweight or obese. However it's just a government cite and has no fancy-pants map (that was neat though)

 

[D0WNT0WN]

Different variations of a young George Bush about sums up my view of the "Avergage American"

 

[Valiance]

YEEHAW!! LETS GO KILL SOME MINORITIES RIGHT AFTER I FINISH DRINKING MAH BEER AND SALUTING DA AMERICAN FLAG!!! GOD BLESS!!!

I do this for fun every day.

There is no greater pastime than saluting the American flag.

Uhm... extreme blend of republicans? It actually has nothing to do with political party affiliation. Republican party at its core believes in small government and low taxes. Somewhere along the way, the gun lobbyists, and crazy religious fanatics joined our party and have been associated with us ever since.

For the record, Bush was not a republican, he was a neo-conservative who ran on the republican ticket. The crazy religious fanatics were actually part of the democratic party until the 1970s. The only republican ideal bush followed was to lower taxes, unforunately such a practice doesn't work without low government spending which Bush didn't practice. Hence the economy in its current state.

For the record, I am registered as a Republican, and I agree that Bush was not a Republican.
Unfortunately, the 2% of our party that actually acts that way is the only percentage that people identify with Republicans. Granted, the 2% of Democrats that are socialist hippies are also what their party is identified with.

And I agree, the roles of Dems and Reps have switched a lot over the years.

 

[Bendon]

I don't think you can safely generalize such a conflicted country...

 

[Joeshie]

I think it's hilarious that most people call America ignorant of the world and then turn around and stereotype an entire nation.

Deliciously hilarious.

 

[Crash486]

Spoiler: massive text

I'm impressed by the civility of this thread thusfar. I wonder when the trolls will get here and start flinging poo.

One thing I'm curious of... just about all of the posts here have said americans are fat/obese. I'm curious as to where this comes from. Sure America might have its fair share of fat people... but they're not the majority. Fat people stick out of the crowd (literally) as much here as they do anywhere. They're certainly not the majority, at least not where I live, and I was under the impression that I lived in one of the top 5 fattest cities in America.

Actually it's something like 58% or 68% of americans are considered 'overweight' by medical standards which is more than half; the majority!

Those same "medical standards" consider professional athletes overweight because they have too much muscle mass. However, I don't believe its that high, lets see a source on those numbers.

The most current government stats can be found here, including a really cool graphical display of the increasing problem with weight: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/Obesity/trend/maps/index.htm

Here's the % data (sorry for the sloppy format, it is less than half the pop, but it is increasing:

2007 State Obesity Rates
State % State % State % State %
Alabama 30.3 Illinois 24.9 Montana 21.8 Rhode Island 21.4
Alaska 27.5 Indiana 26.8 Nebraska 26.0 South Carolina 28.4
Arizona 25.4 Iowa 26.9 Nevada 24.1 South Dakota 26.2
Arkansas 28.7 Kansas 26.9 New Hampshire 24.4 Tennessee 30.1
California 22.6 Kentucky 27.4 New Jersey 23.5 Texas 28.1
Colorado 18.7 Louisiana 29.8 New Mexico 24.0 Utah 21.8
Connecticut 21.2 Maine 24.8 New York 25.0 Vermont 21.3
Delaware 27.4 Maryland 25.4 North Carolina 28.0 Virginia 24.3
Washington DC 21.8 Massachusetts 21.3 North Dakota 26.5 Washington 25.3
Florida 23.6 Michigan 27.7 Ohio 27.5 West Virginia 29.5
Georgia 28.2 Minnesota 25.6 Oklahoma 28.1 Wisconsin 24.7
Hawaii 21.4 Mississippi 32.0 Oregon 25.5 Wyoming 23.7
Idaho 24.5 Missouri 27.5 Pennsylvania 27.1

Nice, this is alot more what I expected to see, 25%. 1 in 4 people is high, but it's quite far from the majority. That's what happens when you throw around random statistics like 58% and 68%. Though I have to admit the media does blow it way out of proportion by claiming its an "epidemic." It's easy to think that you should be tripping over fat people in the streets. Really, the media makes a big deal out of it because it's marketable. I wonder just how much money there is to be made in the weight loss pill/treadmill market. I'm guessing a whole lot.

Not to nitpick. but... He said "I think" not presenting it as fact. Also, Ace said 'OVERWEIGHT' that's a different classification than 'OBESE'. Which is the statistic you presented. You can be overweight without being obese.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm

According to this Ace was close it says 66% are overweight or obese. However it's just a government cite and has no fancy-pants map (that was neat though)

Define overweight, I'm 5'8" weigh 183 lbs with 4-5% bodyfat. I go to the gym, run several miles, and lift weights every day (well lift weights 4 days a week). Yet according to medical standards I'm "overweight" for my height. These statistics are bunk. I'd be willing to bet a fair number of people are the same as I am, and contribute to this overweight statistic.

Body mass index means absolutely nothing. It's junk science.

 

[erdieg]

Different variations of a young George Bush about sums up my view of the "Avergage American"

Bush is fucking hilarious!!!!!
I do not understand why americans whine about Great Depression when they had sucha president

 

[Nmil-ek]

Define overweight, I'm 5'8" weigh 183 lbs with 4-5% bodyfat. I go to the gym, run several miles, and lift weights every day (well lift weights 4 days a week). Yet according to medical standards I'm "overweight" for my height. These statistics are bunk. I'd be willing to bet a fair number of people are the same as I am, and contribute to this overweight statistic.

Body mass index means absolutely nothing. It's junk science.

Yeah that exact weight crap is alot of bunk, If a persons overweight its obvious they have huge rolls of godamned fat hanging out.

 

[iron codpiece]

Spoiler: massive text

I'm impressed by the civility of this thread thusfar. I wonder when the trolls will get here and start flinging poo.

One thing I'm curious of... just about all of the posts here have said americans are fat/obese. I'm curious as to where this comes from. Sure America might have its fair share of fat people... but they're not the majority. Fat people stick out of the crowd (literally) as much here as they do anywhere. They're certainly not the majority, at least not where I live, and I was under the impression that I lived in one of the top 5 fattest cities in America.

Actually it's something like 58% or 68% of americans are considered 'overweight' by medical standards which is more than half; the majority!

Those same "medical standards" consider professional athletes overweight because they have too much muscle mass. However, I don't believe its that high, lets see a source on those numbers.

The most current government stats can be found here, including a really cool graphical display of the increasing problem with weight: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/Obesity/trend/maps/index.htm

Here's the % data (sorry for the sloppy format, it is less than half the pop, but it is increasing:

2007 State Obesity Rates
State % State % State % State %
Alabama 30.3 Illinois 24.9 Montana 21.8 Rhode Island 21.4
Alaska 27.5 Indiana 26.8 Nebraska 26.0 South Carolina 28.4
Arizona 25.4 Iowa 26.9 Nevada 24.1 South Dakota 26.2
Arkansas 28.7 Kansas 26.9 New Hampshire 24.4 Tennessee 30.1
California 22.6 Kentucky 27.4 New Jersey 23.5 Texas 28.1
Colorado 18.7 Louisiana 29.8 New Mexico 24.0 Utah 21.8
Connecticut 21.2 Maine 24.8 New York 25.0 Vermont 21.3
Delaware 27.4 Maryland 25.4 North Carolina 28.0 Virginia 24.3
Washington DC 21.8 Massachusetts 21.3 North Dakota 26.5 Washington 25.3
Florida 23.6 Michigan 27.7 Ohio 27.5 West Virginia 29.5
Georgia 28.2 Minnesota 25.6 Oklahoma 28.1 Wisconsin 24.7
Hawaii 21.4 Mississippi 32.0 Oregon 25.5 Wyoming 23.7
Idaho 24.5 Missouri 27.5 Pennsylvania 27.1

Nice, this is alot more what I expected to see, 25%. 1 in 4 people is high, but it's quite far from the majority. That's what happens when you throw around random statistics like 58% and 68%. Though I have to admit the media does blow it way out of proportion by claiming its an "epidemic." It's easy to think that you should be tripping over fat people in the streets. Really, the media makes a big deal out of it because it's marketable. I wonder just how much money there is to be made in the weight loss pill/treadmill market. I'm guessing a whole lot.

Not to nitpick. but... He said "I think" not presenting it as fact. Also, Ace said 'OVERWEIGHT' that's a different classification than 'OBESE'. Which is the statistic you presented. You can be overweight without being obese.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm

According to this Ace was close it says 66% are overweight or obese. However it's just a government cite and has no fancy-pants map (that was neat though)

Define overweight, I'm 5'8" weigh 183 lbs with 4-5% bodyfat. I go to the gym, run several miles, and lift weights every day. Yet according to medical standards I'm "overweight" for my height. These statistics are bunk. I'd be willing to bet a fair number of people are the same as I am, and contribute to this overweight statistic.

Body mass index means absolutely nothing. It's junk science.

Statistics always are to be taken with a grain of salt. I do like how you seemed to think the statistics were resonable and good until they showed something you disagreed with. Than the became 'junk science'

That being said; I agree that the BMI isn't a good mesure of health. It's stupid and doesn't factor in a lot of things. But it's the only test that is easy to gather large amounts of data on. Most people don't even know what percent of their body is body fat so it'd be hard to gather a lot of data on it.

 

[ShameSpear]

We have bad chocolate? Really?

 

[Ghostkai]

Isn't this thread sort of probbing to get some people to be racist or offensive?

 

[Crash486]

For me the only positive American values like hard work, responsibility and freedom are long gone and the patriot act and Obama's presidency are a vivid proof of that. Now when I think "American" I picture a fat, ignorant, panicking, idiot, who lives on welfare, watches Jerry Springer and is likely to sue tootbrush producers because there was no "don't stick it in your eye" warning label on the box.

Yeah, we're the ignorant ones. Let me tell you a secret,

Spoiler

you're the one who's ignorant, bloody hypocrite.

 

[Crash486]

Statistics always are to be taken with a grain of salt. I do like how you seemed to think the statistics were resonable and good until they showed something you disagreed with. Than the became 'junk science'

Actually I said the BMI was junk science. But yeah I'm cool like that. I just don't see these hordes of fat people these statistics would suggest exist. I can believe 25%, but 60? That means I should be seeing more fat people than not. Do you see more fat people than skinny people? I know I deffinately don't.

 

[Samoftherocks]

America took your women...

 

[ix_tab]

We have bad chocolate? Really?

Really. I was so excited to try American chocolate for the first time, because I'd heard so much about it, but it's chalky and crumbly and just wrong.

I've had really expensive American chocolate too, and it's not as bad, but even our cheap stuff is better than it.