At the KNUS News/Talk Rally I attended last Monday, Dennis Prager cited a research study that found out some interesting things about the correlation between political affiliation and self-rated happiness. The Pew Research Center performed an objective survey of just over 3,000 Americans, 34% of which rated themselves as very happy. Regular churchgoers ranked happier than non-churchgoers, dog and cat owners rated the same, African Americans were the least happy race of all minorities, and married people were surprisingly happier than the single. But what I found most interesting as I looked closely into this study was the difference between Republican and Democrat happiness.
Only 30% of Democrats called themselves very happy, compared to 45% of Republicans.
Statistically, we’re the more joyful party. A Democrat may accuse that that’s because we’re the ones swimming around in our pools of blood and oil money or that we feel euphoric stomping our big, greedy feet all over the impoverished or that ignorance really is bliss.
I don’t particularly like any of those theories. Prager summed it up nicely: Republicans, he said, are happier because we feel we are in control of our own lives. We are not the puppets of big government or the victims of too much control. Democrats feel that their happiness is out of their own hands. They vote for over-taxation and restrictions on the market and less choice in health care and education and don’t realize that these are the things that contribute feeling like nothing but a passenger. Republicans are in the drivers’ seats. We vote against giving the government the final word on everything, and thus, we know that destiny is ours to create. It’s extremely liberating.
I know in past posts I’ve come across as angry. But that’s when I think about becoming a liberal nation. Just the thought of liberalism ticks me off, and I can see why only 30% of you can find elation in your lives. When I think about my own views, I’m satisfied. I can honestly say that I’m among that 45% of very happy Republicans. I have a bright plan for my future and, should the government not interfere, it will be actualized, and I will be genuinely happy for the rest of my life. I like the person I am and have a great group of friends who accept me, Democrats among them. My family is great, and, as Republicans, I think they’re all really happy, too. I don’t know a lot of people who can say that.
Even now, when the Democrats are supposedly on the brink of presidential victory, they’re angry. All I hear from them is irate screaming whenever McCain shows up on TV or the scribbles of nasty vandalism on the other side of my door. They can’t stand that anyone disagrees with them, and instead of trying to rationalize with us or being civil, they just yell. You’d think they’d be happy that Obama is doing so well, but instead they’re angry that he’s not winning over all 100% of us.
I’m a Republican and I’m happy. I’m not saying if you’re a Democrat you’re unhappy; you could well be in that 30%. But if you’re feeling blue, maybe you should consider going red.
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6 comments:
kelly
this is the biggest crock of bullshit i have ever read. by far your weakest work. why do you have to prove your "righteousness" by writing a blog about depression stats? this was very very weak.
p.s. liberals don't act out on conservatives because we're "sad"....it's because we cannot fathom or identify with the ideals and morals you uphold. it's mind boggling to try and understand someone who want to vote for a man who doesn't support a womans right to choose and want unequal wages in the workplace. it blows my mind. also, i don't know where you're going to go when obama wins...the usa is one of the most conservative nations on earth.
1) I'm not going to run away if Obama wins. Regardless of this victory, I know that America is the greatest nation on earth and I would never leave it.
2) You don't think conservatives feel the same way about your ideas? I can't wrap my brain around the beliefs you uphold either. But I don't lash out against all things Democrat because of it. That the weakest justification I've ever heard for immaturity and rudeness.
3)I'm not aiming to prove "righteousness," and I'm sorry that you don't appreciate arguments based on actual scientific statisfics. I'll go for mushy=gushy support next time. My main point was that conservatives are in control of ourselves and liberals leave the future in the hands of big government. But thanks for reading so carefully, and thanks even more for accusing me of underhanded motives.
Lastly, if you'd like to try your hand at FATHOMING why someone doesn't want to vote for Obama, you could start by reading my last 30 or so posts. I think I explain it pretty well in those.
That's a stupid statistic and irrelevant to why we are voting. I'm already on anti-depressants and to say it's due to who I am voting for is retarded because the government right now is under a republican president. Hopefully I'll be off my prozac once Obama's elected. I agree with the other comments... weak argument. Stop being an oxymoron you young republican, join your peers and change the nation. It swings back and forth for a reason- like you said in one of your other latest posts. We keep each other in check. Obama will be good for this country, and the rest of the world.
Kelly,
I'm sorry, I just could not agree with your blog this time. While that statistic is interesting and well worth hearing out, again their highly unreliable, just like the statistic polls you read that were extremely biased and not at all accurate you're first time around.
While I agree with you upholding your values as much as the next person, I must say this: Obama is not the enemy. John McCain is not the enemy. While I would havea few choice words to say to Palin, Ill keep my mouth shut for the sake of not upheaving another political and pointless fight.
It's strange how we all go for the throat in times like these, but i understand why its hard not to.
My opinion, if you'll let me state it without conviction or condemnation, like you usually do, is that the reason why Democrats are so called "unhappy" in this statistic is because we have been governed by the exact party that has become responsible for running us into a recession. While it is true that Democrats have also been a part of this, We are right now living in a Republican Government, and you my lady cannot deny that. So it is only natural for everyone to blame republicans without looking at the big picture.Can you blame those sad democrats really though? If it was Kerry in office right now, god forbid, you would be blaming whatever was happening right now on democratic values and votes and bills that have passed under that title.
We simply are doing the same. As Democrats I believe that the whole "lashing out in anger" thing is just some immature liberals ways of saying "we;re almost there, just let us have this one time, please." while i am not justifying their actions by any means, its sometimes an okay idea to look at the other view point. That is simply the reason why I come to your page Kelly. To hear what you, as a Conservative and very intelligent Republican, has to say. People are upset right now. We're in ruin, and we're all looking for the next best thing to help us out of this. Who knows, maybe it will get better with McCain or Obama, and maybe it wont.
We'll just have to see.
Until next time, write on Kelly. Because I'm listening and reading as a Democrat to every word you have to say, and Im proud to say that I will never harpoon you're faith in John McCain. Because it's the exact faith I have in Obama.
love.
To whoever said this was a crock of bullshit... Why do you remain anonymous? If you're going to attack Kelly personally, don't be a wimp and remain "anonymous." That makes you just as bad as Some Anonymous Mouth in the previous post. If you're going to be a rude jackass, give us a name to call you by. Otherwise, we must resort to calling you by how you act. Rude Jackass.
To the brave "Anonymous": You are completely miscontruing everything I'm saying. One, I in no way implied that this statistic (which isn't stupid just because you don't like it, btw)had anything to do with the motives behind your vote. But it actually makes sense IN YOUR FAVOR if it were, because voting to better your own mood is legitimate logic. You're unhappy with the way things are, so you're voting to change it. Had you made that argument as calmly as I just did, I would have given you props and heeded the point. Instead, you continued to prove me right by being nothing but venomous.
Secondly, I can't believe you're criticizing me for NOT conforming to everyone else in my generation. I thought Democrats were the party that stood for the minority idea, the acceptance of all people, and freedom to believe whatever you want. I am being brave and strong by standing against my peers, and you have no idea what a struggle it has been. Allow me to have my own thoughts. Don't you dare call me an "oxymoron" (and by the way, I have no idea what you're trying to mean by that) and tell me I'm stupid unless I jump on a bandwagon I don't agree with. That's incredibly insulting, and I'd rather we argue in an above-the-belt sort of range, thank you.
I simply disagree that Obama will be good for the country and the world, and it's ok that we disagree. As "bandwagonbitch" demonstrated so nicely for you, Republicans and Democrats can coexist beautiful if we'll all just stop being so irate. Thank you, Carley, for making an effort to understand the other side of the spectrum instead of jumping down my throat. You are a mature person and I respect you so much, and I'm 100% fine that you're voting for Obama. It's your right. As for "anonymous," take a lesson, and don't ever again try to take away my right to believe what I want to.
And thanks, Weston. You're a pal.
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