I'm happy, are you?

There was an interesting little article in the KC Star on Saturday, Oct 25 in the middle of the World News section. They borrowed it from David Montgomery of the Washington Post. It is called "The 'happiness gap' of politics". I found a link to the article so you can read it here.

The article suggests that Republicans are happier people than Democrats and is based on several studies and a book by Arthur Brooks called Gross National Happiness. One only need to watch that idiot Keith Olbermann or that chick that looks like a dude before him for support of this idea.

It is an interesting article and I like the central question he asks which is, "Do you believe that hard work and perseverance can overcome disadvantages? Conservatives are more likely to say yes. Pew found that Democrats are more likely to say the success in life is mostly determined by outside forces. Republicans lean toward thinking that success is determined by one's own efforts. The hypothesis: Those who think the can control their destinies are happier."

He also goes on to conclude that extremists are happier than moderates on both ends of the scale meaning hard core liberals and conservatives are the downright giddy.

I think this makes some sense in that your world view has a lot to do with your happiness. I'm a pretty darn happy person even though I find myself evolving into more of a moderate or completely wacky libertarian depending on your viewpoint on social issues. I'm happy even though I'm starting to think nobody reads this blog......At the core of my happiness is the confidence that I can overcome disadvantages if I work hard. I'll take that one step further. I get energized when the odds are really against me and when people tell me something can't be done.

I wrote of a woman and her hatred for Palin a little while back and she literally shook with anger when I brought up her name. I have neighbors who have the same viseral reaction. I also know some really hard core right to lifers who really can't enjoy life because their struggle to end abortion. It almost seems for both ends that feel unbelieveable angst that other's don't share their passion for the cause.

Anyway, I encourage you to read it and ask yourself if you are happy. I think I'm going to buy that book.