Americans grow happier as they age, surveys find. And a new Pew Research Center survey shows the tendency is holding up as the economy tanks.
Happiness is a complex thing. Past studies have found that happiness is partly inherited, that Republicans are happier than Democrats and that old men tend to be happier than old women.
So, what’s the deal? We don’t have anything to add regarding the gender and age factor but we do believe the political orientation bias is due to one’s world-view and general outlook on life.
Our conservatism has always been based on what mankind can accomplish and of unlocking that great potential from within. What mankind can do vs. what it is that he can’t do. From that basis, conservatism is essentially a positive mindset. Our view of liberalism, however, is that it seems to focus much more on the shortcomings and inherent weaknesses of mankind. What mankind is incapable of doing vs. what it is that he is capable of doing. Liberalism is therefore, more of a negative mindset.
These two different belief systems are manifested by the degrees by which both groups believe the government must intervene on behalf of the citizenry for protection, establishing a fair playing field in society and providing services.
It seems to us that a much more content and happy soul is achieved with a mindset of what man can do vs. what man cannot do.
And all this to say, we don't believe you are automatically consigned to be a bitter old man if you happen to be a lib.
Again, nothing scientific to back-up this assertion, just what we’ve observed over the years.
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4 comments:
Not so much what a person "can't do" (after all, I'm just a skinny guy who makes it a point to "best" people in any number of scenarios. Spelling and grammar contest, 'Dawg?)
No, we who "aren't conservative" are often times guilty of is focusing not on what one "can't do", but on what one "shouldn't do".
Two people look at a big mountain. First guy thinks, I'm gonna get my 4x4 truck up that mountain. I can do it, and it'll make me happy. Second guy thinks: Oh, crap. I see the look in that guy's eye. He wants to drive his truck up to the top of Mt. Rainier. He shouldn't do that.
It's like Dr. Chaos Theory-Guy said in "Jurassic Park" -- You put all of this effort into doing what you could. But you never stopped to think if you should.
- Mongo Going For a Happy Meal
Mongo, that's a good point but with respect to "risk aversion" aren't we turning the traditional definitions of "conservative" and "liberal" on their heads a bit?
Not that I disagree with you. As far as liberalism goes, you touch on something in your illustration that I will take to it's logical conclusion: "I shouldn't do that... therefore, neither should you."
Garak Effect.
Conservatives believe humans are naturally rat bastards; liberals think they're naturally good.
So conservatives are pleasantly surprised. ^.^
There are absolute laws about some things that one shouldn't do. I shouldn't do. He shouldn't do it. His brother's roommate's best friend's sister shouldn't do it.
And, yes, neither should you.
The line drawn moves with the times and necessities. But some things will always remain base. In that universe of things, the question of whether to take a 4WD to the top of Rainier is probably closer to that line than not. It certainly doesn't rate up there with "Don't rape", "Don't murder", or "Don't pee on my Fruity Pebbles" for example.
But, it's probably something you ought not to do.
- Mongo Wonders When Things -- In A Nation of 320,000,000 (That's 320 Million, Road Kill) -- Got Boiled Down to Conservatives and Liberals
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