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Kind of lengthy article by Dennis Prager, so I posted the highlights. The article in it's entirety is on the link below. According to polls -- Pew Research Center, the National Science Foundation -- and studies such as Professor Arthur Brooks' Gross National Happiness, conservative Americans are happier than liberal Americans. Liberals respond this way: "If we're unhappier, it's because we are more upset than conservatives over the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves." But common sense and data suggest other explanations. For one thing, conservatives on the same socioeconomic level as liberals give more charity and volunteer more time than do liberals. And as regards the suffering of non-Americans, for at least a half-century, conservatives have been far more willing to sacrifice American treasure and American blood (often their own) for other nations' liberty. The unhappy gravitate toward the left for a second reason. Life is hard for liberals, and life is hard for conservatives. But conservatives assume that life will always be hard. Liberals, on the other hand, have utopian dreams. imagine two Americans living in essentially identical socioeconomic conditions. Both earn $45,000 a year, both have the same amount of debt on their homes and both have the same number of dependents. One seeks governmental assistance wherever possible; the other eschews any governmental help. Which one is likely to be the liberal and which one is likely to be the happier individual? The one who yearns for governmental help is the one who is likely to be both liberal and less happy. Conservatism, which demands self-reliance, makes one happier. The more one feels that he is captain of his or her ship (as poor as that ship may be), the happier he or she will be. It is liberal educators and liberal parents who have clamored for protecting young people from the pain of losing games. The liberal world came up with the idea of giving trophies to kids who lose; they don't want their children feeling bad. Conservatives, on the other hand, teach their kids how to lose well. They are less worried about their children feeling bad. The upshot of all this? There is an amazingly simple way to defeat the left: Raise children who are grateful to be American, who don't complain, who can handle losing and who are guided by values, not feelings. In other words, teach them how to be happy adults. The article in it's entirety: http://www.dennisprager.com/columns.aspx...r_than_liberalsOur country could return to greatness if we could only gather up all the whining liberals and put them on a boat to the Utopia they dream of ....Europe, which is now consumed by liberalism. It's sooooo much better over there.
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There is an amazingly simple way to defeat the left: Raise children who are grateful to be American, who don't complain, who can handle losing and who are guided by values, not feelings.
That may or may not be the way, but either way, I would hardly call it easy.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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Our country could return to greatness if we could only gather up all the whining liberals and put them on a boat to the Utopia they dream of ....Europe, which is now consumed by liberalism. It's sooooo much better over there.
I was talking with my friend who grew up in Norway (moved here when he was 30, he is 41 now). He is very confused as to why America is trying to become Europe when everyone in Europe wanted to be like America when he was growing up.
#gmstrong
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Our country could return to greatness if we could only gather up all the whining liberals and put them on a boat to the Utopia they dream of ....Europe, which is now consumed by liberalism. It's sooooo much better over there.
I was talking with my friend who grew up in Norway (moved here when he was 30, he is 41 now). He is very confused as to why America is trying to become Europe when everyone in Europe wanted to be like America when he was growing up.
Because for many, the "grass is always greener", and we usually see mostly the positive side of things far away, and seldom get the full story on the negatives.
We don't have to agree with each other, to respect each others opinion.
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Dennis Prager is perhaps the least happiest person on this planet who doesn't have a reason to be unhappy. All day long..bitch, bitch, bitch. He's also the last person I would ever let tell me how to raise my kids let alone be an American. He's probably one of the most clueless Americans I've ever listened to. 
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One of my general issues with spending money on government is that it is basically a charity that you don't get to feel good about. Like getting robbed to feed and educate the poor. Let it be known I honestly believe it doesn't needs to exist But I sure as hell don't know how to get rid of it  Ps. these studies are non-nonsensical. We are talking about 300 million people, I've never seen a genuine study that indicates political preference is a strong indicator of happiness. This one basically just says donating to charity and a self-centered locus of control makes you happy, which is already well established. And it is fairly politically slanted
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Dennis Prager is perhaps the least happiest person on this planet who doesn't have a reason to be unhappy. All day long..bitch, bitch, bitch.
He's also the last person I would ever let tell me how to raise my kids let alone be an American.
He's probably one of the most clueless Americans I've ever listened to.
No argument? Attack the source.....it's the progressive way! 
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
- John Muir
#GMSTRONG
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No argument? Attack the source.....it's the progressive way!
It's the only way that they can operate.
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Dennis Prager is perhaps the least happiest person on this planet who doesn't have a reason to be unhappy. All day long..bitch, bitch, bitch.
He's also the last person I would ever let tell me how to raise my kids let alone be an American.
He's probably one of the most clueless Americans I've ever listened to.
No argument? Attack the source.....it's the progressive way!
Are you saying I'm the source for learning Dennis Prager is a miserable human being?
I thought everybody knew that.
I have noticed a trend that conservatives like to come with weird little theories to prove they are supreme. Sounds a little insecure to me.
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Conservatives are happier than libs.
Ignorance is bliss.
I keed, I keed... 
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No argument? Attack the source.....it's the progressive way!
It's the only way that they can operate.
Are you serious?! Are you really saying this? Do I really have to ask you about Whitaker Chambers again? You refused to deal with his argument, preferring instead to attack the source just like rockdogg is doing here to Prager. And now you criticize him for doing something you have done yourself? Unbelievable. That you are an unrepentant hypocrite goes without saying. But what I find most incredible about you is how unaware you are of your inconsistent beliefs and/or inconsistent application of your beliefs.
Oh well, I'm wasting my time with you, I know. But thanks for once again demonstrating to everyone that you cannot be taken seriously.
P.S. Am I on your ignore list now?
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For them being so damn happy, they sure are a bunch of whiny crybabys when they lose. They've been acting like 3 year olds who didn't get their way since 2008.
King
You may be in the drivers seat but God is holding the map. #GMSTRONG
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For them being so damn happy, they sure are a bunch of whiny crybabys when they lose. They've been acting like 3 year olds who didn't get their way since 2008.
King
Yes ... because the other side wasn't like that from 2000-2008.
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Yes ... because the other side wasn't like that from 2000-2008.
So either the dems were all with him about invading Iraq, which we are continually reminded of, or they were attempting to impeach from day one, a very predictable conservative form of getting the job done in DC.
How many times have they voted against Obamycare and how many bills to increase employment have they created? As many as they've voted to eliminate or limit unemployment benefits?
You can give a person a fish or you can help to create work so these people can BUY THEIR OWN DAMN FISH!!!
C'mon it's obvious that from day one they were going to work against anything that could be in any way interpreted as success for the dem prez.
It seems more and more "Americans" are noticing this rather obvious and even self-declared desire to shut down this government at all costs is more manufactured nonsense from those who talk and talk and talk all day long about one party being evil and the other being real "Americans". Elect a dem for prez? Guarantee your self a call for impeachment!
It's like deciding that Coke is WAY better than Pepsi because Pepsi is the anti-Christ and Coke can only be understood by a select few who if you're willing to buy into the spiel they and they alone (because everyone else... I mean EVERYONE ELSE ..works for Pepsi!) will tell you all the secret ingredients in Coke that make it the true "American" drink over the commie socialist terrorist loving Pepsi.
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Lay off the booze and/or pills.
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He references factual information from three different sources, at least two of them reputable. His opinions on the hows and whys are debatable, but are you able to deal with and respond to just the facts?
Personally, I agree with much of the opinion. Liberals are frustrated because their dreams can never be achieved. Conservatives, for the most part, just achieve what they can.
Expressing a different opinion might be more useful than just saying you don't like the guy because of the way he parts his hair, or maybe his skin color, without discussing at all the thoughts expressed.
There's a whole group of folks who enjoy dismissing people entirely based on one single characteristic, you might want to look them up. I hear they'll give you a real spiffy robe to wear.
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Lay off the booze and/or pills.
Well if you consider someone's response to the absolutely complete and totally ridiculous statement that conservatives are "happier" than libs to be induced by the effect of booze or pills then give me a dose of what you're smoking to believe that nonsense.
And expect a post from PDR about why post this in the first place.
But to answer the question of booze or pills I'll be honest and say I get a rush from responding in kind to this stuff.
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If you are going to continually buy into carefully selected facts used to construct a message that you and people like you WANT to hear then politics and our government is doomed.
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There's a whole group of folks who enjoy dismissing people entirely based on one single characteristic
...says the guy defending the 'conservatives are happier than liberals' op-ed.
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Well this explains why I have good days and bad days since I am neither a lib. or a conservative
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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Well this explains why I have good days and bad days since I am neither a lib. or a conservative
NOT FAIR!ñ!!
It's your duty as an "AMERICAN" to choose one side or the other!!
Shoot I think I've run out of my emoticon quota.
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Sorry I'm just ME 
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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So, the facts are not true simply because you don't like them?
The Pew Research Center AND the National Science Foundation are in on the con?
I'll Repeat - The reasons are debatable, BUT - Facts are Facts, whether you agree with them or not. Do you have a quarrel with the methodology used to come to this conclusion? Any info which refutes the basic statement?
The message they are used to construct is worthy of discussion. To simply dismiss the information that is factual along with the opinion is not a rational, adult way to proceed.
Why do YOU think liberals, in general, are less happy than conservatives?
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I'm conservative, but not particularly happy. I'm starting to think we're all bleeped.
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I agree as both sides suck buddy
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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One side sucks a lot more.
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I agree,
The problem isn't that we have liberals and conservatives ...... it's that we have politicians. We have people in office to whom staying in office is more important than doing the right thing for the country.Politics is pay-offs and paybacks .... and it generally doesn't matter which side a politician falls on.
There are a very few people serving in public office who I think are doing what they feel is right ..... but most are offering lip service, because once they get in expediency overtakes principle.
We have political parties that force elected officials into their narrow vision of what a "public servant" should be ..... and that beat down someone who dares stray from their particular vision for the country. "Don't you dare vote your conscience. You will vote the way we dictate if you want on a powerful committee, or want funding in your district for projects ..." or so on.
I am really sick of it all. It's getting worse with each and every passing election. Both sides are exact clones in this regard. Bleh.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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What we have is a populace that tends to act more like soccer parents cheering on their kid, rather than acting like the cynical manager with the new hire that now has a job to do and a check to earn.
People spend so much time going all rah-rah for their choice that pride doesn't allow them to back off their defense of that choice until it becomes completely unpleasant.
Add to it that we all allow ourselves to be worked by the political parties and the media (who definitely are sleeping together) and we - the employers - end up in a position where we are hoping to not be screwed over by those we hired.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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What we have is a populace that tends to act more like soccer parents cheering on their kid, rather than acting like the cynical manager with the new hire that now has a job to do and a check to earn.
That's well said.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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People spend so much time going all rah-rah for their choice that pride doesn't allow them to back off their defense of that choice until it becomes completely unpleasant.
Agreed.
I've noticed a trend lately that doesn't really limit itself to any political ideology, or even intelligence level - a lot of people's views come from taking cues.
Almost everyone hears two point of view on something before the actual facts are even released. And when they are released, no one wants to back away from the opinion they initially sided with.
There are plenty of times on this board where someone says something and I think 'where did you come up with that?' and the answer is usually FOX or Slate or Rush or HuffPo trotted out the line of thinking a few hours prior.
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So, the facts are not true simply because you don't like them?
The Pew Research Center AND the National Science Foundation are in on the con?
I'll Repeat - The reasons are debatable, BUT - Facts are Facts, whether you agree with them or not. Do you have a quarrel with the methodology used to come to this conclusion? Any info which refutes the basic statement?
The message they are used to construct is worthy of discussion. To simply dismiss the information that is factual along with the opinion is not a rational, adult way to proceed.
Why do YOU think liberals, in general, are less happy than conservatives?
I think liberals are less happy than conservatives because conservatives have an unquenchable desire to share how unhappy they are.
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Quote:
I think liberals are less happy than conservatives because conservatives have an unquenchable desire to share how unhappy they are.
That makes sense. 
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
- John Muir
#GMSTRONG
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j/c I'd be willing to guess that those who don't focus on the words 'liberal' and 'conservative' are happier than those who do. 
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Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
#gmstrong
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I think liberals are less happy than conservatives because conservatives have an unquenchable desire to share how unhappy they are.
That makes sense.
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j/c
I'd be willing to guess that those who don't focus on the words 'liberal' and 'conservative' are happier than those who do.
There is a lot of truth in that statement.
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j/c
I'd be willing to guess that those who don't focus on the words 'liberal' and 'conservative' are happier than those who do.
Definitely.
And the angriest are usually the ones with the most bumper stickers on the back of their car telling you how to think.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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j/c
I'd be willing to guess that those who don't focus on the words 'liberal' and 'conservative' are happier than those who do.
There is a lot of truth in that statement.
Probably right about that. Maybe it's time we start thinking of each other as Americans and nothing else. Might that be part of the solution? Changing the mind set from one of hate and contempt to one of, hey, he's my brother, we need to find a way to get along and make this work...
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
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The politicians and media don't like that.
If you can't and don't label someone, you cannot pigeon-hole them. If you cannot pigeon-hole someone, then you will struggle to attack them and/or marginalize them.
A LOT of all of this type of behavior is orchestrated at the party level. That is who establishes the topics that will be the issues they campaign on.
Do you believe that the topic of Women's Birth Control came out of nowhere? It was a blatant, undisguised (and sadly, pathetically, brilliant) maneuver by the Democratic Party to steal a massive voter block and marginalize the Republicans at the same time. Create an issue where there isn't one, then try to rally your people behind it.. if they do, great! If they don't, throw something else against the wall to see what might stick. At a certain point, the things you will campaign upon take on a life of their own, and when they do, you know you've either got a good one, or you've buried yourself with it (Hint: All of that to say that we get played over and over again, every election cycle... and we can't wait to get into a fervor for the next one).
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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There is an amazingly simple way to defeat the left: Raise children who are grateful to be American, who don't complain, who can handle losing and who are guided by values, not feelings.
That may or may not be the way, but either way, I would hardly call it easy.
It's not easy when as soon as those kids get in school, they're having the liberal minded teachers pounding their ideas into their heads.
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Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Conservatives are happier than
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