Are We Happy Yet?

[jlmadyson]

Political Party Affiliation

Some 45% of all Republicans report being very happy, compared with just 30% of Democrats and 29% of independents. This finding has also been around a long time; Republicans have been happier than Democrats every year since the General Social Survey began taking its measurements in 1972. Pew surveys since 1991 also show a partisan gap on happiness; the current 16 percentage point gap is among the largest in Pew surveys, rivaled only by a 17 point gap in February 2003.

Could it be that Republicans are so much happier now because their party controls all the levers of federal power? Not likely. Since 1972, the GOP happiness edge over Democrats has ebbed and flowed in a pattern that appears unrelated to which party is in political power.

For example, Republicans had up to a 10 and 11 percentage point happiness edge over Democrats in various years of both the Carter and Clinton presidencies, and as small as a three and five percentage point edge in various years of the Reagan and first Bush presidencies. Also, we should explain here a bit about how our survey questionnaire was constructed. The question about happiness was posed at the very beginning of the interview, while the question about political affiliation was posed at the back end, along with questions about demographic traits. So respondents were not cued to consider their happiness through the frame of partisan politics. This question is about happiness; it is not a question about happiness with partisan outcomes.

Of course, there's a more obvious explanation for the Republicans' happiness edge. Republicans tend to have more money than Democrats, and -- as we've already discovered -- people who have more money tend to be happier.

But even this explanation only goes so far. If one controls for household income, Republicans still hold a significant edge: that is, poor Republicans are happier than poor Democrats; middle-income Republicans are happier than middle-income Democrats, and rich Republicans are happier than rich Democrats.

Might ideology be the key? It's true that conservatives, who are more likely to be Republican, are happier than liberals, who are more likely to be Democrats. But even controlling for this ideological factor, a significant partisan gap remains. Conservative Republicans are happier than conservative Democrats, and moderate/liberal Republicans are happier than liberal Democrats. Hmmm, what other factors might be at play? Well, there's always...

Must be all the Bush stress, heh j/k. I do find it interesting that even when controlling for income there is still a significant gap. Even more interesting is the trend over 30 years which has remained consistent. Doesn't seem as if there are any controls that really explain this trend. Of course, "the factor that makes the most difference in predicting happiness is neither being a Republican nor being wealthy - it's being in good health", which of course reinforces Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

 

[Bowfinger]

Perhaps ignorance truly is bliss?

 

[magomago]

Being a relisoiu person, I see this as coincidence. I think its difficult to gauge "happy" and to one person happy may not be the seen as to another. I know two students...one kills himself if he doesn't score atlesat 1 standard deviation above the mean on his tests (thus sticking you in the B+/A- range immediately...) and the other jumps for joy if they just held along with the mean (Usually a C, C+ if the professor is more generous and B- if he feels he made the class difficult and pushed us hard).
Is one happier than the other? For sure. But is the scale to compare the two accurate? Not really...they each have their opinions which skews the results because there is no way to normalize the measure of happiness

That and I would think in general, the most unhappy people in the world are those who choose to affiliate themselves strongly with Republicans or Democrats

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I know I'm damn happy I don't support dubya and his gang. That makes me very happy.

 

[Genx87]

Take a look at the topics within this forum as a guage of happiness between the two sides.
Nothing but doom and gloom, misery, and crying from democrats.
Mostly uplifting stories from repubs or the right, which usually gets blasted with negativity by the democrats in here.

Who knows what the reason is, it just seems like democrats are pessimists about everything. They could win the lottery and manage to find a negative slant about it.

 

[Commish]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Take a look at the topics within this forum as a guage of happiness between the two sides.
Nothing but doom and gloom, misery, and crying from democrats.
Mostly uplifting stories from repubs or the right, which usually gets blasted with negativity by the democrats in here.

Who knows what the reason is, it just seems like democrats are pessimists about everything. They could win the lottery and manage to find a negative slant about it.

Too true, most of them would whine if their ice cream was cold.

 

[EatSpam]

Meh, I'm plenty happy, just not about our current regime and their horrible policies.

 

[Pens1566]

And republicans were just peachy when clinton was in office. Right.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Take a look at the topics within this forum as a guage of happiness between the two sides.
Nothing but doom and gloom, misery, and crying from democrats.
Mostly uplifting stories from repubs or the right, which usually gets blasted with negativity by the democrats in here.

Who knows what the reason is, it just seems like democrats are pessimists about everything. They could win the lottery and manage to find a negative slant about it.

You mean like:

• Taxes are crushing Americans / small business / corporations
• The estate tax is stealing family farms
• Social security is going to destroy America
• Welfare is destroying America (except for corporate welfare, that's good)
  
• Safety regulations are crushing American business
• Environmental regulations are crushing American business
• Reporting regulations are crushing American business
• Labor unions are crushing American business
• Minimum wage laws are crushing American small business
  
• Gays are destroying the institution of marriage
• "Liberals" are destroying America's values
  
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we don't allow illegal domestic spying
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we don't extend the "PATRIOT" act
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we don't stop the leaks (except for those about CIA agents specializing in WMDs)
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we make Bush obey the law
  
• Iran is going to nuke America if we don't attack now
  
• "Liberals" criticizing the Iraq war are going to let al Qaeda destroy America
• "Liberals" questioning the Bush administration are going to let al Qaeda destroy America
• "Liberals" (insert random claim here) are going to let al Qaeda destroy America

Uplifting Republican stories like those? Seems to me like the Republicans are the party of gloom and doom. Every time someone mentions a tax or questions BushCo, all we hear is how the sky is falling.

 

[jrenz]

Victim mentality contributes greatly to unhappiness.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Why not give us democrats something other than doom and gloom to talk about? Lemme see, Abramhoff, vp shooting someone and waiting > 15 hours to have it released, suiciders* taking out more and more people every day in Iraq, (*suiciders stolen from the dubya-dictionary), middle class is dying in america, elderly are dealing with a debacle of prescription drug care coverage, student loans are being mauled, king george saying he can do whatever he wants cause the constitution is just a goddamned piece of paper, dead-eye saying he has the authority to declassify.
I'm sorry, you're right, it's all balloons, cakes and happy sunny days. More kool-aid please.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Originally posted by: Bowfinger
Perhaps ignorance truly is bliss?

Haha, that was my immediate reaction before I scrolled down and saw your post.

 

[jlmadyson]

Originally posted by: Pens1566
And republicans were just peachy when clinton was in office. Right.

Republicans had up to a 10 and 11 percentage point happiness edge over Democrats in various years of both the Carter and Clinton presidencies

10 to 11 points peachier to be exact

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: Genx87
Take a look at the topics within this forum as a guage of happiness between the two sides.
Nothing but doom and gloom, misery, and crying from democrats.
Mostly uplifting stories from repubs or the right, which usually gets blasted with negativity by the democrats in here.

Who knows what the reason is, it just seems like democrats are pessimists about everything. They could win the lottery and manage to find a negative slant about it.

You mean like:

• Taxes are crushing Americans / small business / corporations
• The estate tax is stealing family farms
• Social security is going to destroy America
• Welfare is destroying America (except for corporate welfare, that's good)
  
• Safety regulations are crushing American business
• Environmental regulations are crushing American business
• Reporting regulations are crushing American business
• Labor unions are crushing American business
• Minimum wage laws are crushing American small business
  
• Gays are destroying the institution of marriage
• "Liberals" are destroying America's values
  
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we don't allow illegal domestic spying
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we don't extend the "PATRIOT" act
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we don't stop the leaks (except for those about CIA agents specializing in WMDs)
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we make Bush obey the law
  
• Iran is going to nuke America if we don't attack now
  
• "Liberals" criticizing the Iraq war are going to let al Qaeda destroy America
• "Liberals" questioning the Bush administration are going to let al Qaeda destroy America
• "Liberals" (insert random claim here) are going to let al Qaeda destroy America

Uplifting Republican stories like those? Seems to me like the Republicans are the party of gloom and doom. Every time someone mentions a tax or questions BushCo, all we hear is how the sky is falling.

lmao perfect example of a liberals doom and gloom.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Pens1566
And republicans were just peachy when clinton was in office. Right.

Why wouldnt we be? We had a republican congress to stuff his agendas and the economy was rolling for us rich repubs!

 

[OrByte]

more kool-aid please.

kthnx

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: Genx87
Take a look at the topics within this forum as a guage of happiness between the two sides.
Nothing but doom and gloom, misery, and crying from democrats.
Mostly uplifting stories from repubs or the right, which usually gets blasted with negativity by the democrats in here.

Who knows what the reason is, it just seems like democrats are pessimists about everything. They could win the lottery and manage to find a negative slant about it.

You mean like:

• Taxes are crushing Americans / small business / corporations
• The estate tax is stealing family farms
• Social security is going to destroy America
• Welfare is destroying America (except for corporate welfare, that's good)
  
• Safety regulations are crushing American business
• Environmental regulations are crushing American business
• Reporting regulations are crushing American business
• Labor unions are crushing American business
• Minimum wage laws are crushing American small business
  
• Gays are destroying the institution of marriage
• "Liberals" are destroying America's values
  
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we don't allow illegal domestic spying
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we don't extend the "PATRIOT" act
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we don't stop the leaks (except for those about CIA agents specializing in WMDs)
• Al Qaeda is going to destroy America if we make Bush obey the law
  
• Iran is going to nuke America if we don't attack now
  
• "Liberals" criticizing the Iraq war are going to let al Qaeda destroy America
• "Liberals" questioning the Bush administration are going to let al Qaeda destroy America
• "Liberals" (insert random claim here) are going to let al Qaeda destroy America

Uplifting Republican stories like those? Seems to me like the Republicans are the party of gloom and doom. Every time someone mentions a tax or questions BushCo, all we hear is how the sky is falling.

lmao perfect example of a liberals doom and gloom.

Perfect example of you sticking your fingers in your ears and shouting "La la la La La La LA LA LA" every time you encounter something that you don't agree with. Believe it or not, that grey matter between your ears can be used for more than memorizing talking points.

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: jlmadyson
Political Party Affiliation

what other factors might be at play?

Here'a a guess:

Democrats tend to be more concerned with social welfare. They by and large believe that one of the major aims of government should be to deal with the have-nots and have-less's of society. And since there are always people who are poor, homeless, sick with no health care, out of work, etc., there's plenty to make Dems unhappy.

Republicans tend not to think in that way - they by and large believe that individuals are responsible for their own welfare and that it's not government's role to lend a hand. So Republicans tend to view the above issues as being "their" problem, not "my" or "our" problem.

 

[judasmachine]

I don't think politics has much to do with it, I'd say it's economics, and religion. Or at least they play a greater roll in your "Happy Factor." Most people will tell you they are an R or a D, but for the 3 years between elections they are apolitical. Why money and delusions make anyone happy I'll never know. i sometimes wish I was that dumb.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: shira

Originally posted by: jlmadyson
Political Party Affiliation

what other factors might be at play?

Here'a a guess:

Democrats tend to be more concerned with social welfare. They by and large believe that one of the major aims of government should be to deal with the have-nots and have-less's of society. And since there are always people who are poor, homeless, sick with no health care, out of work, etc., there's plenty to make Dems unhappy.

Republicans tend not to think in that way - they by and large believe that individuals are responsible for their own welfare and that it's not government's role to lend a hand. So Republicans tend to view the above issues as being "their" problem, not "my" or "our" problem.

Good points. I think another lies in one of the fundamental properties of conservatism vs. liberalism. By definition, conservatives tend to believe things are good the way they are, and they want to preserve them. Liberals tend to believe things can be better and want to change them.

 

[Todd33]

You mean driving around in a SUV with a "support the troops" magnet ignoring the worlds problems and putting your faith in a invisible being makes you happy? Hear no evil, see no evil, do evil? I guess I'd rather a bit upset and hear the truth and think of solutions.

 

[Todd33]

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Good points. I think another lies in one of the fundamental properties of conservatism vs. liberalism. By definition, conservatives tend to believe things are good the way they are, and they want to preserve them. Liberals tend to believe things can be better and want to change them.

Agreed, things like slavery, civil rights, woman sufferage, gay rights, etc. They like things the good old way - white men control all power and money.

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: Todd33
You mean driving around in a SUV with a "support the troops" magnet ignoring the worlds problems and putting your faith in a invisible being makes you happy? Hear no evil, see no evil, do evil? I guess I'd rather a bit upset and hear the truth and think of solutions.

Hey, get over there and do your part to keep the gas coming or STFU you traitor.

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: judasmachine
I don't think politics has much to do with it, I'd say it's economics, and religion. Or at least they play a greater roll in your "Happy Factor." Most people will tell you they are an R or a D, but for the 3 years between elections they are apolitical. Why money and delusions make anyone happy I'll never know. i sometimes wish I was that dumb.

They like to call it "faith".

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: shira

Originally posted by: jlmadyson
Political Party Affiliation

what other factors might be at play?

Here'a a guess:

Democrats tend to be more concerned with social welfare. They by and large believe that one of the major aims of government should be to deal with the have-nots and have-less's of society. And since there are always people who are poor, homeless, sick with no health care, out of work, etc., there's plenty to make Dems unhappy.

I'll agree with that part.

Republicans tend not to think in that way - they by and large believe that individuals are responsible for their own welfare and that it's not government's role to lend a hand. So Republicans tend to view the above issues as being "their" problem, not "my" or "our" problem.

I tend to think Republicans are happiest when the rich are doing well and someone is talking about Jesus. Since the rich, by definition, are always doing well and someone is ALWAYS talking about Jesus, they're happy.