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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWe are a sad bunch - apparently
A study finds that to be happy you should be a conservative in a liberal country. In other words, move to Sweden (to partake of their socialist country benefits), then join a church group ( so you can feel some degree of setting yourself apart from the "sinners" .
. "A 2006 report from the Pew Research Center showed that 45% of conservative Republicans reported being very happy, as compared to 30% of liberal Democrats. According to the report, this "partisan happiness gap" had shown up in surveys every year since 1972.
What explains the happiness gap? Some scientists have argued that it can be attributed to personality differences between the two groups or different thinking styles--that conservatives are more likely to rationalize inequality. Others have suggested a link with marriage rates and religious identification--pointing out that conservatives are more likely to be married and to identify as religious, both of which have been linked with higher levels of happiness. "
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/11/conservatives-happier-liberal-countries_n_5797938.html
Regardless Bobby said it best:
unblock
(52,113 posts)sure. people who have no ethical problem with taking an unfair share for themselves are going to be happier.
packman
(16,296 posts)Last edited Fri Sep 12, 2014, 01:39 PM - Edit history (1)
And for examples - Hannity,Rush, Beck, Ingraham, etc., etc. Also, explains they'll take the Soc. Sec. check, the Obamacare, and anything else they can get from a liberal society or done by liberal initiative, but still vote and proclaim themselves as conservatives. They do not want what they have (albeit part of a socialist effort and within a socialist context) taken away by another "liberal" effort such as increasing their taxes . Mine, mine, mine ----
GoCubsGo
(32,073 posts)There are a number of right-wing preachers who are spreading the doctrine that if you have it pretty good, it's because God loves you more. People who are poor are evil heathens, so God made them poor because he is mad at them. It's the same mentality that allows them to write off people who are on public assistance as being lazy. They think they deserve what they have because they believe they're better people. And, wouldn't be happier if they thought they were somehow better than those awful people that supposedly God hates?
rock
(13,218 posts)They wouldn't lie, would they? (he asked condescendingly)
GoCubsGo
(32,073 posts)Ignorance is bliss.
Populist_Prole
(5,364 posts)Not only will they feel self adulation, but they figure their money will go further. Explains why many like retire financially comfortable in otherwise non-affluent formerly rural small-ish cities. Nice enough areas scenery and weather-wise, but not so hot economically for those who actually work for a living there. They'll have a large supply of cheap and desperate help.
As to the article linked in the OP though, I'm not sure I agree. Very few happy conservatives I know; most seem to be perpetually snarling angry sorts. If their is anything "happy" about them, it's the tribalism they spitefully wield and brandish about.