Happy, Shiny People
Last month, Gallup found that once again America is just jammed full of happy people, with 95% saying they were “very happy” or “fairly happy”, and 88% saying they were were either very or somewhat satisfied.
A majority of most major groups in society — men, women, whites, nonwhites, young, old — tell Gallup they are very happy. Gallup finds no significant difference in the percentage of people falling into these categories who say they are very happy.
So, that whole “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” thing seems to be working out.
Among other findings, income is not a differentiator in happiness until it drops below $30,000, but predictably enough satisfaction increases with income. In spite of all the jokes about getting married, single people are less likely to be “very” happy.
However, one differentiator clearly shows through. Republicans are more likely to be deeply happy than Democrats or Independents. Gallup doesn’t know why, but it’s been that way for years.
| Republican % | Independent % | Democrat % | |
| 2003 Dec 11-14 | 62 | 49 | 50 |
| 2002 Dec 5-8 | 59 | 42 | 46 |
| 2001 Nov 8-11 | 42 | 33 | 37 |
| 2000 Oct 6-9 | 53 | 44 | 45 |
| 1996 Mar 8-10 | 52 | 46 | 50 |
No wonder Primal Scream Dean appealed to so many Lefties!
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Maybe we’re more happy because the Dems never fail to deliver on just how stupid they are…
You’re assuming that the people responding to this survey were telling the truth, always a risky assumption. All that this poll proves is that a large majority of people *say* they are happy when asked.
Nearly every day I ask someone how they’re doing and they inevitably say “fine.” By your logic, 99% of the people I’ve ever met in my life are happy.
It’s just as possible to conclude that these statistics suggest that nobody’s really happy and Republicans are just a bit less honest with themselves than Dems.
You mean all I have to do is become a Republican and then I’ll be happy?
Manish: “You mean all I have to do is become a Republican and then I’ll be happy?”
Maybe so! For instance, consider how the two sides confront the problem of poverty:
Liberals: “There are systemic problems in our society, problems that create unequal and unfair opportunities for different people. We should work to make society more fair.”
Conservatives: “Poor people are just lazy. Why don’t they just get a job at McDonalds?”
The second view certainly relieves you of feeling guilty or responsible, doesn’t it? It also absolves you of having to think, (and we all know that thinking sometimes hurts your head).
Conservativism offers easy answers, solutions that blame the victim. As an ideology, it is essentially driven by self-righteousness, ignorance, and moral cowardice.
Watchers Council
A belated post linking to the January 15th results will be accepted if it also links to all entries nominated for…