Are conservatives happier than liberals because they are less moral?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20080507/sc_livescience/conservativeshappierthanliberals

So by now everyone should have heard that a new study has found conservatives to be happier than liberals. But I'm not sure if I would break out the champagne just yet.

When conservatives are happier because they rationalize other people's misfortunes and show little regard for their fellow man, doesn't this make them decidedly *less* moral, assuming a modern judeo-christian cultural heritage?

Answer 1

They're happier because they don't sit around getting pissed off because somebody in another mind frame is doing something right and reaping the benefits.

Answer 2

Conservatives are not less moral, but they think about the good of everybody, not just the stinkin poor, they think about the ECONOMY

Answer 3

Ladybird: I actually believe that Jesus was not poor, but that is another issue.

It is funny how Liberals try to gather all that is moral and good to them as a sole exclusive right, and then charge conservatives with amoral/immoral standards.

I am conservative (by Australian standards, US conservatism is to ridiculous for me to even contemplate), and I am Christian, and I don't find myself in indulging in moral rationalisation overly much.  I do have a greater sense of self responsibility than I usually see in liberal thinkers, but that comes from having made mistakes, good associations, and relatively less judgementalism than I see in liberal thinkers.

I pay my taxes, and I certainly do more to help others by way of missionary work, donations and so on than most liberals.  Most liberals are too busy assigning blame for the world's ills in my experience.  I share my wealth according to my values, and I am not in the liberal habit of letting people do things just because it "feels good".  Certain things are wrong, but liberal thinkers are permissive of behaviour but constrain thoughts and ideas by way of PC.

As an example:  The misfortunes of people in Burma today bear no rationalising, and you will see traditionally conservative Christian organisations sending aid.  Liberals would rather whine about the Burmese government and put conditions on aid shipments that they know will never be approved.  Meanwhile, people are dying.  Who is rationalising now?

Answer 4

Well, Jesus was a poor guy, the King was wealthy. Jesus had the moral standing. The king was thus without morals, as were his people. Jesus had a different kind of wealth. And that is how tradition says it to be. So when the conservatives or liberals have power and are in essence 'kings', it shows no preference to party. Conservatives are thought to have money, but also have the most 'christian' positions. However, liberals want equal rights and to help the poor, and thus have more Jesus thinking principals, share the wealth and what-not. So, it is a great lie: Conservatives intrepret their opinions based on their personal agendas. They are happy because they have God on their sides and because they have a strongly voiced following. However, I think they are not exactly what Jesus would have wanted. So, yes, they are less moral. Take welfare reform, that was under bill clinton, however passed by a republican congerss; it ***** poor people because minimum wage is not enough to live on in the first place. Life is ****. It's all a fantasic contradiction.

Answer 5

Liberals usually know deep down in their heart that they are going to h**l.  

Take it from a fallen away Catholic.

Answer 6

I think you may have that backwards ... typically the left is amoral when you look at traditional judeo-christian beliefs.  I think the conservatives typically have more conservative values and an element of service in their lives.  This is the way to happiness ... service without expectation.

Answer 7

I am definiately a "middle of the roader" as far as politics is concerned, but was raised by a conservative mother and father.  I know they are by far not less moral then anyone else.  They are also not judgmental and my family has always put their fellow man in high regard.

I think politics is not black and white nor can you say liberals are more moral then conservatives or that conservatives are more happy....  I think everything is relative...ya know!!