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RSS FeedWhich political group is happier: Liberals (left) or conservatives (right)?
Results so far:
| The left | 53% | 76 votes | Total: 144 votes | |
| The right | 47% | 68 votes |
The left
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Add to FavoritesOn the surface, conservatives might seem happier. The truth, however, is often found below the surface.
Happy, defined in Webster's dictionary is:
1. Enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure or good fortune.
2. Experiencing pleasure or joy.
3. Marked by good fortune.
4. Satisfied; enjoying well-being or contentment.
5. Exaggerated feeling of well-being or elation.
6. Well expressed and to the point.
Based on the simplicity of the exact definition of happy, it is easy to argue that conservatives are most happy. This is not difficult to accept when you consider each definition of happy points directly to self. By definition; it does not consider the human elements of empathy, sympathy or concern for your brother or sister.
When a conservative is asked if they are happy; they gauge their response by reflecting on themselves. Is their house paid for? Are they healthy? Are they patting themselves on the back for their self-proclaimed moral superiority? If they are content with their livesregardless of the world around them being mired by poverty, disease, corruption and hate, they will state they are happy. It is an odd phenomenon but fits neatly into the ideals of conservative beliefs.
Liberals, on the other hand, when asked if they are happy, gauge their response by reflection on themselves in conjunction with reflection on the world around them. They feel such a deep responsibility that extends beyond their doorstep, their comfort zones and into a world they might not relate to on a personal level; however, on a global level, that responsibility is what drives them to be idealists and in constant pursuit of improving conditions that benefit far more than just themselves. They, too, are happy, though the happiness is measured by looking beyond themselves.
The literal definition of happy, however, truly does describe the conservative mentality.
The United States is currently waging two wars. Whether you are for the war, or against it does not matter. War is happening. Yet, conservatives claim they are happy. And why shouldn't they be? Unlike wars before, the common every day citizen is not included in the war process. Unlike those before us, our current leadership felt it was better for America to go out and spend, spend, spend as if the economy and cost of war are not our concerns, rather than asking us to sacrifice for the cause. Because we don't have to feel the impact, we can pretend it away. We've even been "gifted" rebates to continue the farce. What good fortune! Soldiers are dying (justly or unjustly) and we just scored a new T.V. That is the making of happy.
Tornadoes are leaving devastation throughout the Midwest. Burma has lost scores of citizens to a cyclone and, at this very moment, is laden with bloated, deteriorating bodies that will magnify the disaster by bringing disease. Earthquakes are rocking nations. Poverty is on the rise. Crime is rampant. Yet, conservatives claim to be happy. And why shouldn't they be? Their home is still standing. Their family is still safe. It's not their problem, so consider it great joy. That is the making of happy.
Conservatives feel fortunate. They feel they are joyful, content and satisfied. Their worlds are rosy and the "out of sight, out of mind" mantra seems to be a welcomed chant in their joyous world. But there's a little definition of happy that doesn't always get recognized. Let me remind you of it now:
5. Exaggerated feeling of well-being or elation.
Interesting. Exaggerated is defined:
1. Represented as greater than is true or reasonable.
2. Enlarged to an abnormal degree.
3. Enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness.
So, are conservatives happier? Probably. In a self-involved, exaggerated sort of way. The kind of happiness that can only exist because eyes are voluntarily blinded, views are narrowed and black and white simplifies the vast reality of life being lived in the grays. It takes a certain degree of exaggeration to identify yourself as happy in the conservative world. Every day, those carrying the conservative mantle sound anything but happy. They sound driven by anger, accusations, degradation of people who are not like-minded and are downright mean in their speech and actions. However, ask them and they will tell you they are happy. It doesn't look like happy. It doesn't feel like happy but to them, it is happy.
Here is where this article takes a happy turn (definition 6, by the way). In the real world where lives touch other lives, and decisions made by a small number impact a larger whole; happiness takes on a different face. As liberals know, it is tempered by concern. It is reasonable and true. It is not exaggerated. Perhaps, it is not even happy. No, maybe it is a more profound description; one that changes the world when far too many are "happy" with the way the world is. It's called optimistic. It's happy with room to improve.
Learn more about this author, Colleen Ely.
Click here to send Author comments or questions.
The right
In my 44 years of life in the United States, I believe that conservatives are more happier than liberals because they understand and accept human nature. They know that racism, inequality and unfairness are a part of life and will always remain with us until the end of time.
Poverty is another issue that is prevalent in all countries. Liberals bemoan poverty and continually blame governmental policies rather than the individual person for their problems. Liberals are much more angry as a group than conservatives. They constantly whine about the aforementioned issues as well as a number of other ones too.
Conservatives or the Right care more about their individual circumstances or their families economic status than the entire country as a whole. ''Just as long as I'm doing well, the hell with everyone else'' is their mantra. People who think this way are much happier than people who constantly worry or complain about poor people. Selfishness breeds happiness.
The environment is another issue where conservatives accept human nature much better than liberals and are, therefore, happier as people. Unless the United States reverts back to the 18th century in terms of lifestyle and energy choices, pollution will be a fact of life. Like it or not, Americans enjoy commuting with their cars and taking their families on vacation.
We also like auto and motorcycle racing. While it contributes to air pollution, many liberals would love to have these popular sports or activities banned. They don't understand or accept the fact that most Americans love these recreational pursuits to either watch or participate.
Conservatives believe in God and have a particular religion that they worship. Liberals have none and angrily berate anyone who is religious as an ignorant fanatic. Conservatives recognize that there is a separation of religion and state but it's only for the establishment of one particular religion over another. Liberals don't seem to understand this concept. The hardcore liberal activists want to ban all forms of religious expression from school and society in general. They want to ban ''In God We Trust'' on American coins and removing the word ''God'' from the Pledge of Allegiance.
Religious people are generally more happier than hardcore atheists and therefore, conservatives are more happier than liberals in this regard.
Conservatives or the American Right identify much more closely than liberals do concerning patriotic symbols and events such as flags and parades. People who like American flags and parades seem more happy than people who don't place high value or worth on such things.
Although liberals seem to care more about the loss of human life in wars, conservatives recognize the fact that people get killed in wars because we are fighting for our nation's freedom or another nation's freedom that we support in some way. Although this might not make people happier, I believe that conservatives are more content with the reasons for war than liberals. Liberals are angry with war in itself and rarely think it's justified in any circumstance.
Learn more about this author, David Giza.
Click here to send Author comments or questions.
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