An interesting opinion piece on WashingtonPost.com examines why Republicans are happier than Democrats, according to the 2006 Pew Research poll.
Republicans have been happier than Democrats every year since the General Social Survey, conducted biannually by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, began asking about happiness in 1972.
It is worth noting here that they did adjust for differences in income, so hold off on the “that’s because Republicans are richer” comments.
Even after adjusting for differences in income, the Pew researchers still found a marked happiness gap: Poor Republicans are, on average, happier than poor Democrats, and wealthy Republicans are happier than wealthy Democrats.
They were at somewhat of a loss as to why there exists a happiness gap.
You can practically hear the researchers at Pew scratching their liberal heads. They put the findings through a rigorous process called multiple-regression analysis in an attempt to isolate the relevant variables. But try as they might, they could not wash that Republican happiness out of their hair.
Though there were a couple variables that were identified: church attendance and marriage. Both are indicators of greater happiness and both are more prevalent in Republicans, statistically speaking.
While it is true that being married and regularly attending church have both made me happier, I think I have a better explanation for the findings.
It all comes down to how we view the world.
A Democrat and his son are walking and they see this big mansion on a hill. The father says, “It’s not right that rich people live in big mansions like that while there are poor people who are less fortunate. We should make him pay his fair share of taxes, so we can use the money to help those who really need it.”
A Republican and his son are walking and they see the same big mansion on a hill. The father says, “Son, if you work very hard, and are sensible with your money, you might have a mansion like that some day.”
Which one of those guys do you think is happier?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Smilin’ JD Ryan is living proof that this is not true.
Just read the trackback!
Maybe I’ll head over to his blog to read the rest when I need a pick-me-up!!
February 16th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Considering your movement is well on its way into the septic tank of history, trust me, I’m giddy with excitement. But thanks for sending people over my way.