|
 Being Happy: Why Aren't the Democrats as Happy as the Republicans?
I just went to hear Eric Weiner, author of The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World. One aspect he mentioned was that American's Republicans tend to be happier than our Democrats (45 percent vs. 30 percent). In a way, this makes sense because those who go to church and are married also are happier than those who don't make it to church and are single, according to Weiner. And Republicans tend to be more often members of churches and to be married. But when you even take those components out of the equation, the Republicans are still happier than the Democrats. Weiner evidently decided that this little fact was interesting and still a mystery. He wrote an article about this in the Washington Post ("Why Republicans are So Darn Happy," February 9, 2008). He also notes the following: "The most obvious place to look for an explanation is, of course, with money. Wealthy people are marginally happier than poor ones, and Republicans, according to some surveys, tend to be wealthier than Democrats, so that must be why they're happier, right? Nice try, but no dice. 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." One hypothesis that Weiner doesn't address directly, although he alludes to it, is that the oppressor would often seem to be happier than the oppressed. Weiner does say that in some of the research he did, he found this: "Countries with large disparities between rich and poor are no less happy than more egalitarian ones, studies have found. And the happiest countries in the world tend to be homogenous ones, such as Denmark and Iceland, not the ethnic melting pots that liberals celebrate." But the Democrats, I hypothesize live by the words of Robert F. Kennedy, who said, "Some see things as they are and say why. I see things as they aren't and say, why not?" What inspiring words! Yet, these words, while giving us a vision for a better world also opens the door for continuous frustrations and anger when the changes Democrats want don't happen as easily and quickly as they would like. Many hard-core Democrats, I believe, often give of themselves so others can experience happiness. In a sense, they find kind of a warped sense of happiness in giving up some of their enjoyment of life with the hopes that others can be a little happier in their stead. The United States will never be a homogenous country, so the true Democrats concentrate through their policy work to make this country the best it can be as a melting pot. And our Declaration of Independence stresses that all citizens of this country have rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Many Democrats take these words literally and want to blaze the path to make the goals a realty for all citizens. Those of the other major party, the Republicans, pretty much just say, "Go for it! Some of us will make it. If you don't, it's your own darn fault!" Nevertheless, being a member of the Republican Party must be very tempting at this time, especially for those who are looking to be happier. But another thing that Weiner says is that happiness is elusive. The more you become conscious of it, the harder it is to actually achieve it. In other words, happiness is something that happens when you aren't looking for it. And Democrats, don't despair! Who said that happiness is everything? We're for pursuing happiness, not necessarily ever getting it. And maybe that God many of you don't believe in will have mercy on you, even reward us someday when we meet Her in that Heavenly Kingdom. She will say, "Welcome to your new home here with me. You fed me when I was hungry, gave me drink (even if it was cheap) when I was thirsty. You visited me when I was in prison (often held with no trial), sat with me in the hospital (when I worried about how I would pay the bill with no health care insurance). As long as you did this to the least of your brothers and sisters, you did it for me." You Democrats will jump up and cheer, and yell down to hell, "So take that!" You'll think awhile, and then your conscience will go toward those who didn't make it to that Heavenly Kingdom. The extreme happiness in Heaven will make you feel guilty. Eventually you'll go to the Supreme Being and ask to go visit your bros and sistas in hell. They need you, and you want to help them. You can't be happy in Heaven as long as others are suffering...even if they are Republicans....in hell! That could be the answer. Folks who aren't happy to begin with are attracted to the Democratic party. They can't be happy when others are suffering....or should be suffering from injustice! By the way, Weiner made me very happy at his book signing. I went up to him after his talk, told him that I couldn't afford to buy his book at this time, but that I felt a kinship with him because my last name was Bliss. He took his book, the one he carried with him to book signings around the country, took out his bookmarks, and gave me his with an autograph! Talk about being in heaven....and I'm neither a Republican or Democrat! I was humbled, but so grateful, and on my way home, I in turn gave a 5-spot to the corner street performer playing his guitar. I think he became grateful, too, when I heard his happy "Thank You!!!" So today, how about spreading your happiness on to others....even if you're not happy at the time. You might just become happy if you don't try to be!
|
This_Category |
|
Category:: Society + Culture |
Recommend this article...
 Quote this article on your site | Views: 995
Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.4
Tags: Rachael Bliss Eric Weiner The Geography of Bliss Republicans Democrats happiness
|
Commentary 
