The national sport of the English is whingeing about how wretched their lives are and what an unspeakably awful place their country has become, thanks to the corruption and incompetence of some set of politicians, usually the current set.

Being originally English I am a keen follower of this sport. There is no better place to track its progress than in the “Comments” sections of the Daily Telegraph website. I find that a half hour spent reading through the self-pitying moans and whinges of disgruntled Telegraph readers sets me up for the day wonderfully.

Here’s a little gem from this morning’s Telegraph whinge-a-thon.

What is wrong with you people? Life has never been better in this wonderful country of ours. We have a rich, ethnically diverse multi-cultural population who come here and work hard to provide for their families. Our schools offer world class education and anyone can go to university if they really want. There are jobs aplenty with a GUARANTEED minimum wage — how can you complain about that? We have superb modern roads and a railway network without equal. Our public sector is full of dedicated public servants all striving to bring us the very best services and our factories turn out goods for the world. Best of all, we have the most honest and caring politicians in the world, utterly dedicated to their people. I am happy to be British — I can’t think of a better place to live.
P.S. Please excuse me writing in crayon — they won’t let me have anything pointed or sharp in here.
Posted by Napoleon IV on January 31, 2008 11:28 AM

[Me] For some profound and subtle reflections on whingeing, see the “Straggler” column in the current issue of National Review.