Brian EllerThe past few weeks have been rough on Republicans. President Bush was blasted in the media for his questionable port deal, the vice president accidentally shot someone, people are being killed in Iraq, Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons and Brokeback Mountain nearly won “Best Picture” at the Oscars. Despite the many reasons why Republicans could be unhappy, we simply aren’t. In fact, we’re much happier than Democrats.
According to a Pew Research Poll, released in mid-February, 45 percent of Republicans are very happy compared to only 30 percent of Democrats. In fact, Republicans have been happier than Democrats every year since the Pew Research Center began collecting data in 1972. So why are Republicans happier than Democrats?
The answer to this question, like most questions, is complicated. There are a variety of factors that affect personal happiness. However, I’m going to simplify things and say that it all boils down to attitude. Democrats have a negative attitude. They complain about things, quite frequently and quite vocally. Likewise, they always seem to be angry. When they look at the picture they focus all their energy on the negatives and ignore the positives. Instead of looking to solve today’s problems, they just complain more.
Take Iraq as an example. Although you won’t see it on your local news, there are things to be happy about in Iraq. According to the State Department’s March 1 status report: Coalition forces killed Abu Asmu, the al Qaeda military leader of northern Baghdad; U.S. Army Engineers completed construction of a new power plant in Basrah province that will supply electricity to 1.5 million Iraqis; U.S. Army Engineers also completed the construction of Al Basasel School in Mosul that will serve 150 students, renovated a school in Diwaniyah that serves 2000 students and finished building a girls school housing 480 students in Khairat. Unfortunately, most Democrats seem unaware of the good that is happening in Iraq. While many Republicans have a positive attitude about Iraq and look for ways to improve the situation, Democrats don’t.
Instead, Democrats see Iraq as a hopeless mess. However, Republicans see Iraq as a country with potential. Republicans remember when imperialist Japan and Nazi Germany were nations that terrorized the free people of the world. They also remember that the United States made an effort to change these places. It took many years of war, followed by many years of relief work and occupation to rebuild these nations, but these countries eventually formed democracies, turned away from violence and aggression, and became self-sufficient.
Going back to attitude, Democrats have the wrong attitude about government. Many Democrats think that the government should solve their problems. If there are homeless people on the street, the government should help them. If I need to save for retirement, let’s get the government to handle it (I certainly couldn’t handle my own money better). If I’m lazy and don’t want to work, let’s call the government to give me a hand out.
Republicans, on the other hand, believe that they control their own fate. Happiness is not tied to what the government is doing, but is in one’s own hands. Likewise solving problems on a personal or global level rests primarily with individuals. Republicans believe that free people and free markets are the best way to solve the problems we face. Instead of asking the government to help the homeless, Republicans would rather donate their own time and money to private charities. If you want to save for retirement, you should be able to use your money the way you want. If you want money, then get an education or come up with some new idea to sell. In the end, your happiness is under your control.
Brian Eller is a materials engineering sophomore and a Mustang Daily columnist.