Survey: Liberals are more interested in money, think about it more often and value it more highly than conservatives

[yllus]

This article has a very distinct bias against the political left (which I've tried to edit to make not as objectionable, though the "money more important than life itself" part was too funny/ridiculous to leave out), but discusses a legitimate point: The characterization of the political right as Scrooges in exclusivity is likely quite inaccurate. Everyone of all stripes loves money. There's no moral ground to conquer on this topic.

Money-Grubbers

Those on the political left are absolutely convinced that they are less materialistic and more altruistic than conservatives. Talk show host Alan Colmes has argued that "Jesus was a liberal" because he was much more generous with his limited resources than a conservative would be. As Ben Wattenberg has put it, "The word 'conservative' conjures up images of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, while 'liberal' brings to mind kindly Santa Claus."

But this mythology about greedy conservatives and altruistic liberals has no basis in fact. Indeed, the reality is quite the reverse. Time after time, reputable surveys show that liberals are more interested in money, think about it more often and value it more highly than conservatives.

Consider these numbers from the World Values Survey and the General Social Survey: When asked if "high income" is very important in a job, 36% of those who call themselves "very liberal" said yes, compared with just 24% who said they were very conservative. When asked whether they "aspire to be rich," liberals actually said yes 61% of the time, compared to 51% of conservatives.

When asked whether "after good health, money is the most important thing," liberals agreed with that statement more than conservatives did, putting money ahead of family and friends (and apparently saving the planet).

Is money more important than life itself? A sizable number of liberals believe it is. When asked, "Is it morally defensible to commit suicide if you are financially bankrupt," those who describe themselves as very liberal were three times as likely to say yes compared to those who were very conservative (23% to 7%).

Does anything go when it comes to making money? When asked about the statement, "There are no right or wrong ways to make money," liberals were more likely to agree than conservatives. The plain fact is that liberals value money more than conservatives in many respects.

Liberals are more likely to haggle with a business owner to get a better price: 43% of liberals in one survey said they had done so, compared with only 32% of conservatives. Indeed, the farther left you go on the spectrum of those who disavow having an interest in money, the more willing they are to argue for a lower price.

A whopping 67% of those who called themselves "extremely liberal" had tried to cut the price of an item for sale in a store. Those who are strong Democrats are also more likely (60% to 47%) to say they do not return money after getting too much change from a cashier.

Many on the left spend an inordinate amount of time complaining about their financial lot in life. Conservatives were three times more likely to say that they were "satisfied" with their financial lot than liberals. Nor is this a case of poor, idealistic liberals being compared to rich and comfortable conservatives. Even when liberals and conservatives earn the same income, the results remain the same: Liberals are much more likely to be chronically dissatisfied with their financial situation.

Yet at the same time, the World Values Survey reveals that those on the left believe there needs to be "less emphasis on money" in our society. By more than 10 percentage points, they agree with that sentiment when compared with political conservatives. This myopic view of money and wealth is caused in large part by the skewed view many liberals have of how it is actually created.

For many Americans, the American Dream is really about the Protestant work ethic: work hard, be frugal, get a good education, keep your nose clean and you will be all right.

 

[Duwelon]

"Is it morally defensible to commit suicide if you are financially bankrupt," those who describe themselves as very liberal were three times as likely to say yes compared to those who were very conservative (23% to 7%).

The only thing I didn't even suspect was this. The only thing of interest that this is evidence of to me is that the more liberal one is, the more Godless one is.

Do you mind listing one of the most "distinct bias against the political left?"

Thanks.

 

[KGB]

Topic Title: Survey: Liberals are more interested in money, think about it more often and value it more highly than conservatives.



You always crave that which you don't have.

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: Duwelon

"Is it morally defensible to commit suicide if you are financially bankrupt," those who describe themselves as very liberal were three times as likely to say yes compared to those who were very conservative (23% to 7%).

The only thing I didn't even suspect was this. The only thing of interest that this is evidence of to me is that the more liberal one is, the more Godless one is.

Do you mind listing one of the most "distinct bias against the political left?"

Thanks.

I left all the numbers in, because I thought it'd be unfair to list only a personal selection. What I edited out was some of the more inflammatory commentary:

Many liberals apparently believe that espousing liberal ideals is a "get out of jail free" card that inoculates them from the evils of the money culture.

The fact that conservatives are more interested in money than in higher pursuits is believed to explain a lot of things, including the lack of conservative professors on college campuses. The sparse number of conservative professors supposedly springs from conservative greed; They are simply not willing to take an academic job that pays less than the private sector.

Duke University political science professor Samantha Luks says that teaching requires "the type of personality that would be willing to take a pay cut to do a certain type of work he or she deems important," and according to her, that individual is "more likely to vote Democratic." A college newspaper editorialized that liberals populate the faculty lounge because academic jobs "are more likely to appeal to people who are anti-materialistic and idealistic -- in other words, liberals."

Convinced that they are not overly interested in money or possessions, liberals are free to acquire them. It creates a bizarre set of attitudes whereby liberals are more likely to denounce money, but also more eager to pursue it.

But that notion is rejected by a large number of liberals today. They see very little connection between diligence, effort and wealth.

 

[Duwelon]

Originally posted by: KGBMAN

Topic Title: Survey: Liberals are more interested in money, think about it more often and value it more highly than conservatives.



You always crave that which you don't have.

Kind of what I was thinking at first, but they also covered this:

Many on the left spend an inordinate amount of time complaining about their financial lot in life. Conservatives were three times more likely to say that they were "satisfied" with their financial lot than liberals. Nor is this a case of poor, idealistic liberals being compared to rich and comfortable conservatives. Even when liberals and conservatives earn the same income, the results remain the same: Liberals are much more likely to be chronically dissatisfied with their financial situation.

 

[Duwelon]

Originally posted by: yllus

Originally posted by: Duwelon

"Is it morally defensible to commit suicide if you are financially bankrupt," those who describe themselves as very liberal were three times as likely to say yes compared to those who were very conservative (23% to 7%).

The only thing I didn't even suspect was this. The only thing of interest that this is evidence of to me is that the more liberal one is, the more Godless one is.

Do you mind listing one of the most "distinct bias against the political left?"

Thanks.

I left all the numbers in, because I thought it'd be unfair to list only a personal selection. What I edited out was some of the more inflammatory commentary:

Many liberals apparently believe that espousing liberal ideals is a "get out of jail free" card that inoculates them from the evils of the money culture.

The fact that conservatives are more interested in money than in higher pursuits is believed to explain a lot of things, including the lack of conservative professors on college campuses. The sparse number of conservative professors supposedly springs from conservative greed; They are simply not willing to take an academic job that pays less than the private sector.

Duke University political science professor Samantha Luks says that teaching requires "the type of personality that would be willing to take a pay cut to do a certain type of work he or she deems important," and according to her, that individual is "more likely to vote Democratic." A college newspaper editorialized that liberals populate the faculty lounge because academic jobs "are more likely to appeal to people who are anti-materialistic and idealistic -- in other words, liberals."

Convinced that they are not overly interested in money or possessions, liberals are free to acquire them. It creates a bizarre set of attitudes whereby liberals are more likely to denounce money, but also more eager to pursue it.

But that notion is rejected by a large number of liberals today. They see very little connection between diligence, effort and wealth.

While I do agree with some of those, especially the last one, you're right it's definately not something i'd include in an objective story.

 

[KGB]

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: KGBMAN

Topic Title: Survey: Liberals are more interested in money, think about it more often and value it more highly than conservatives.



You always crave that which you don't have.

Kind of what I was thinking at first, but they also covered this:

Many on the left spend an inordinate amount of time complaining about their financial lot in life. Conservatives were three times more likely to say that they were "satisfied" with their financial lot than liberals. Nor is this a case of poor, idealistic liberals being compared to rich and comfortable conservatives. Even when liberals and conservatives earn the same income, the results remain the same: Liberals are much more likely to be chronically dissatisfied with their financial situation.

Lexapro is very expensive.

 

[ProfJohn]

It has been well known and illustrated for years that conservatives are more generous and give more money to charity.
This survey seems like a follow up to those surveys.

Duwelon makes a good point as well. Look at the age and marital status of conservatives verse liberal and you typically see people at very different points in their lives. In general young single people tend to be more liberal, but as they age and get married and have children they tend to become conservative. And there is no doubt that single people are far more liberal than married people. Therefore this survey makes sense, when you are single you have less to focus on in life and your priorities are different. When you get older and have children money becomes less important because you have other things in your life to focus on.

 

[Duwelon]

Originally posted by: KGBMAN

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: KGBMAN

Topic Title: Survey: Liberals are more interested in money, think about it more often and value it more highly than conservatives.



You always crave that which you don't have.

Kind of what I was thinking at first, but they also covered this:

Many on the left spend an inordinate amount of time complaining about their financial lot in life. Conservatives were three times more likely to say that they were "satisfied" with their financial lot than liberals. Nor is this a case of poor, idealistic liberals being compared to rich and comfortable conservatives. Even when liberals and conservatives earn the same income, the results remain the same: Liberals are much more likely to be chronically dissatisfied with their financial situation.

Lexapro is very expensive.

Explain?

 

[ProfJohn]

Lexapro is a drug to treat depression and anxiety... google is your friend.

 

[Duwelon]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Lexapro is a drug to treat depression and anxiety... google is your friend.

I know what it is, thx Sopranos, but I don't know what he means though.

 

[Moonbeam]

It says that surveys say something. Where are the surveys. When you show a survey to a moron he comes to moronic conclusions. And speaking of morons tomorrows article is going to be:

"Liberals think they're so smart (but they're totally not)"

I sure hope I don't miss that one.

I think what is really being said here is that in a conservative society conservatives are happier than liberals and in a liberal society conservatives cling to their guns and Bibles.

I am a liberal who knows he is more materialistic and less generous than conservatives. I don't much believe in charitable giving. Most of it is done by churches who give for God. Eat my food and swallow my religion. A lot is a tithe demand, buying your ticket into heaven. The feeling you get from that can make one very self satisfied.

I try to give what nobody wants, real understanding as to the true cause of human misery. You can help folk who hate themselves forever as you can throw money into a black hole. The only real answer for humanity is to awaken. If people don't know they hate themselves but do, they will eventually go extinct. The only thing that can save humanity is knowledge. And it's the last thing anybody wants. Everything humanity so desperately tries to avoid in the tension and squalor of need has already happened in childhood.

 

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Lexapro is a drug to treat depression and anxiety... google is your friend.

I know what it is, thx Sopranos, but I don't know what he means though.

He is refering back to his previous point that liberals don't have any money, the implication in:

"You always crave that which you don't have."

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
It has been well known and illustrated for years that conservatives are more generous and give more money to charity.
This survey seems like a follow up to those surveys.

Duwelon makes a good point as well. Look at the age and marital status of conservatives verse liberal and you typically see people at very different points in their lives. In general young single people tend to be more liberal, but as they age and get married and have children they tend to become conservative. And there is no doubt that single people are far more liberal than married people. Therefore this survey makes sense, when you are single you have less to focus on in life and your priorities are different. When you get older and have children money becomes less important because you have other things in your life to focus on.

Your point about charity can be debated by asking how you define charity. Are you counting church tithes in there? If so, that would explain a lot because conservatives are more likely to be church goers than those liberal atheists and agnostics who don't practice organized religion.

Your second point doesn't make sense. As people grow older and have children money will either be more important (because raising children is expensive) or money will not be a factor to them because they are financially set. People aren't liberal because they're young. Most people grow up following their parents examples and as they get older they find their own direction and think for themselves. I disagree that most people 'turn' conservative as they age. In fact, it was the opposite for me.

Edit: Regarding turning conservative... Living in FL it appears as though the elderly are more conservative (religious) but that's another story.

 

[Duwelon]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Lexapro is a drug to treat depression and anxiety... google is your friend.

I know what it is, thx Sopranos, but I don't know what he means though.

He is refering back to his previous point that liberals don't have any money, the implication in:

"You always crave that which you don't have."

Still needs further clarification. Is he saying Liberals crave Lexapro but can't afford it? Conservatives buy the lexapro so they're happy? Conservatives don't need Lexapro but Liberals do?

 

[Xavier434]

There so much more to take into consideration which this article does not present that I really do not feel comfortable drawing any kind of conclusion from it one way or the other.

 

[GTKeeper]

Originally posted by: Duwelon

"Is it morally defensible to commit suicide if you are financially bankrupt," those who describe themselves as very liberal were three times as likely to say yes compared to those who were very conservative (23% to 7%).

The only thing I didn't even suspect was this. The only thing of interest that this is evidence of to me is that the more liberal one is, the more Godless one is.

Do you mind listing one of the most "distinct bias against the political left?"

Thanks.

Are you an Ann Coulter supporter?

 

[KGB]

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Lexapro is a drug to treat depression and anxiety... google is your friend.

I know what it is, thx Sopranos, but I don't know what he means though.

He is refering back to his previous point that liberals don't have any money, the implication in:

"You always crave that which you don't have."

Still needs further clarification. Is he saying Liberals crave Lexapro but can't afford it? Conservatives buy the lexapro so they're happy? Conservatives don't need Lexapro but Liberals do?

Bolded for your edification.

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: Robor
Your point about charity can be debated by asking how you define charity. Are you counting church tithes in there? If so, that would explain a lot because conservatives are more likely to be church goers than those liberal atheists and agnostics who don't practice organized religion.

Your second point doesn't make sense. As people grow older and have children money will either be more important (because raising children is expensive) or money will not be a factor to them because they are financially set. People aren't liberal because they're young. Most people grow up following their parents examples and as they get older they find their own direction and think for themselves. I disagree that most people 'turn' conservative as they age. In fact, it was the opposite for me.

There is a book called "Who Really Cares" and it includes a ton of various surveys.
Among the findings:

Conservative households in America donate 30% more money to charity each year than liberal households, even in spite of lower average incomes

Conservatives are also more generous in other ways, such as blood donations, and volunteer work. In fact, if liberals gave blood like conservatives do, the blood supply in the U.S. would jump by about 45%

People who mistrust big government give more than those who rely on the government to take care of the poor. This includes giving and volunteering even to traditionally "progressive causes" such as the arts and the environment

Religious people give away four times more money each year than secularists. This is not just because of giving to churches - religious people are 10 percent more likely than secularists to give money to explicitly nonreligious charities

And there is a Washington Post article link

Although liberal families' incomes average 6 percent higher than those of conservative families, conservative-headed households give, on average, 30 percent more to charity than the average liberal-headed household ($1,600 per year vs. $1,227).

As for the second part, I think you missed the point.
When you have children money becomes less important in the big scheme of things. Yes, you need more money to raise the kids etc, but you are not focused on the money you are focused on the kids.

When you have children your life revolves around those children. When you don't have children your life revolves around other things.

 

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Lexapro is a drug to treat depression and anxiety... google is your friend.

I know what it is, thx Sopranos, but I don't know what he means though.

He is refering back to his previous point that liberals don't have any money, the implication in:

"You always crave that which you don't have."

Still needs further clarification. Is he saying Liberals crave Lexapro but can't afford it? Conservatives buy the lexapro so they're happy? Conservatives don't need Lexapro but Liberals do?

I don't think what he said was anything more than flippant and not intended to be analyzed. I think he meant nothing more than that liberals are depressed because they can't afford medicine that would help them, not that conservatives are happy because they can afford and can take drugs.

 

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by: KGBMAN

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Lexapro is a drug to treat depression and anxiety... google is your friend.

I know what it is, thx Sopranos, but I don't know what he means though.

He is refering back to his previous point that liberals don't have any money, the implication in:

"You always crave that which you don't have."

Still needs further clarification. Is he saying Liberals crave Lexapro but can't afford it? Conservatives buy the lexapro so they're happy? Conservatives don't need Lexapro but Liberals do?

Bolded for your edification.

What about something drug I've heard of called "the opiate of the people"? Which group is high on that?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
It has been well known and illustrated for years that conservatives are more generous and give more money to charity.
This survey seems like a follow up to those surveys.

And that "survey" was shown to be bunk, but nice that you believe what you want to hear.

And being that this article does not show when and/or how it got these answers I am sure it fails as well when put to the sniff test. Let alone it was written by right wing person that has "received praise" from bill Oreally.

 

[KGB]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: Moonbeam

Originally posted by: Duwelon

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Lexapro is a drug to treat depression and anxiety... google is your friend.

I know what it is, thx Sopranos, but I don't know what he means though.

He is refering back to his previous point that liberals don't have any money, the implication in:

"You always crave that which you don't have."

Still needs further clarification. Is he saying Liberals crave Lexapro but can't afford it? Conservatives buy the lexapro so they're happy? Conservatives don't need Lexapro but Liberals do?

I don't think what he said was anything more than flippant and not intended to be analyzed. I think he meant nothing more than that liberals are depressed because they can't afford medicine that would help them, not that conservatives are happy because they can afford and can take drugs.

Moonie,
As usual, your between-the-lines reading comprehension is excellent.