<p>Sorry Sjmom I wasn’t referring to you - the Bushies give it back in kind if not more so… Driver is funny but she insults Dems in almost every post, subtley and sometimes not so subtley. Sometimes humor is a form of anger and for a party in power, I sense they are the ones who are truly angry - angry that their vision of the world is not being embraced by a majority of the country. They don’t appear to me to be secure in their power .</p>
<p>I was being philosophical and somewhat facetious when I said happiness is overrated - I think there are better words to describe satisfaction with life. I would prefer to have a president or a congressman who is more realistic than optimistic - Optimism may win elections but I’m not sure it’s a trait that’s necessary for a good politician, policy maker or leader. There are plenty of great and effective leaders in history who were depressives if you want to go there Driver - Lincoln was one of them and his emotional make-up allowed him to be empathetic and work well with his opponents, something greatly missing in the Republican leadership as of late.</p>
<p>Fountainsiren: How sad someone so young can sound so negative and close minded. You still have a lot of life to see. Go easy while you can. Look for the good in people.</p>
<p>driver: What is the point of this seemingly meaningless, pointless post? I appreciate political discussion and debate, but this is nothing more than an attempt to pit people against each other. Does it make you feel better? Perhaps, uh, it’s what makes you so happy?</p>
And sometimes, humor is just humor, and an insight into how a person lives his/her life. It’s a powerful stimulant, somnolescent, aphrodisiac, you name it. It’s good for what ails ya. It also beats the crap out of being miserable and mopey.</p>
<p>Republicans tend to live in open spaces…Democrats tend to live in cities…perhaps this factoid alone accounts for happiness, yes or no. Life in cities is more stressful I believe…I live in Maine…but I live in a nice size suburb of a large city…and I have access to supermarkets, to a great library, a large movie theater…buses, great school for my kids etc…I don’t know that I could live in remote North Dakota…but I also don’t think I could live in congested Chicago or Atlanta…etc unless I had REAL money so I could live well, safely etc…</p>
<p>Do you remember the red and blue maps from the election? most of the blue was in colder climes, in cities, and in regions that are not expanding economically, in general…</p>
<p>But Driver, answer the question. Why did you post this? (Certainly not for humor’s sake, I would think.) Is it just a dig, or what? Because it hasn’t exactly resulted in a nuanced examination of differences, political or otherwise. Not saying that’s your fault, but am wondering what you hoped to see happen with this thread.</p>
<p>As for humor, just today, I told an audience at a meeting I was hosting that one of the favorite things I have done in recent months was getting satellite radio…I love the comedy channels in the car… the Comedy USA channel is not R rated…so it is very enjoyable… and it makes me laugh out loud…I love the 3 min skits…the variety of different comics…the variety of subjects… and I encouraged folks to consider getting it cause it makes long rides fun…and it definitely puts me in a “happier” mood?? I think I am benefiting from the comedy channel in my car… but it is hard to isolate the change to see if it is that or having a good business year in 2005, or a kid doing well at Yale!! bringing it back to CC oriented subject matter!!</p>
Because it was an interesting study, by a non-conservative organization, over a period of 30+ years, that addressed a phenomenon that I see on this forum constantly. Bitterness, anger, unhappiness on the part of members of the flower child party. It’s relentless. And it was just interesting that this study, comparing the two major parties, seemed to indicate that it goes beyond Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS), beyond personal wealth, beyond ideology, or political dominance. I mean if Ralph Reed had come up with this, I would have said pfffft, and moved on. But Pew showing this, over a period of decades, is interesting. I’d like to see more of you folks get the chip off of your shoulders, I guess. Life’s too short.</p>
<p>he’s not going to actually give you a real response. Just check out his role models; they are trained not to answer questions strait and they are masters of deception. He obviously posted this to incite people and to provoke a response that he could use to justify his original post.</p>
<p>Believe me driver, I know good humor - I’m married to a very witty guy and my son is also entertainingly humorous - especially about politics. My family, on the other hand, staunchly Republican is quite humorless- I may not have learned to be humorous but I seek it out. I even laugh at your wit most times. I’ve taken to watching John Stewart almost every evening instead of the local news - my antidote to this depressing administration. </p>
<p>And what is the point of this thread - really?</p>
<p>Oh, please Driver, I played nice and tried to openly discuss with you until you insisted on insulting and twisting my words. You don’t really want a discussion - you just use what people say to further your agenda.</p>
<p>Liz, I guess I don’t know what I’ve said that was insulting to you, or how I twisted your words. Seriously. If some left-leaning poster more popular than me had posted the Pew study, would you have such a bee in your bonnet? Would it be deemed unworthy of discussion? I think it’s genuinely interesting, and Pew is not some right-wing group that can be blown off. Why not address the poll, instead of this humble messenger?</p>
<p>There are currently 8 threads on the main page that have the intent and practical effect of being critical of conservatives generally or Republicans in particularmany of which are fact or event based, as is this one. </p>
<p>However, in none of the earnest-8 will you find any posters questioning the motivation behind starting such political threads it doesnt take a super-moderator to figure out why the same does not apply here. Its the Matrix.</p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
<p>Weenie…I’m touched by your concern, and affected by your sadness…you must be a very good person (and, specifically, non-partisan; that’s why I trust your opinion of my sorry state). Thanks. [better?]</p>
<p> by the way–not to disappoint–but I’m having a wonderful time of it here at Dartmouth…amazingly, 75% + of my friends are politically/culturally liberal where these things count. Personally, I don’t think they account for much…that’s why I’m so darn happy, and yet, still so concerned to see you saddened (because I care).</p>
It’s a powerful stimulant, somnolescent, aphrodisiac, you name it. It’s good for what ails ya. It also beats the crap out of being miserable and mopey.</p>