the power of positive thinking...

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2008
the power of positive thinking...
35
Thu, 11-06-2008 - 9:06pm

So I realize that some conservatives are devastated right now, and bitterly anticipating how horrible our lives are going to be with Obama as president. Those who voted for Obama are generally feeling relieved, hopeful, and excited about the next 4 years. Although the conservatives may feel that those who voted for Obama are in for a rude awakening, I wanted to point out that all the positivity flowing around right now among Obama supporters could itself have a very beneficial impact on our society. Look around you at all the people who feel inspired by the impact that they were able to make on our political system, who feel inspired by Obama's message that we need to do a better job of looking out for each other. I know that I for one feel a real spirit of generosity and social responsibility. I feel like I want to donate more to charity, volunteer my time, and find ways to make my work more relevant to helping those around me. Do the conservatives out there believe in the power of positive thinking? Do you think it is at all possible that excitement about Obama and his hopeful message could turn into a self-fulfilling prophesy?

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siggy aug 09
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2008
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 5:55pm

It's very funny that you think liberals act like victims.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2008
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 5:58pm

This is one fourth of the story: the attitudes of less successful people about themselves. What about the attitudes of more successful people and attitudes about others as well as oneself? I think what bothers some of the other posters here is that if conservatives rationalize inequality, then they may be less compassionate in the sense that are not bothered when others are less successful or suffer more than they do. How much people donate to charity and volunteer is one mark of how people show compassion, but if the donating and volunteering are linked to a religious organization, then I would argue that there is some element of "duty" tied to that compassion, which is a more conservative trait. Other ways of showing compassion include pursuing careers in public service. Have you seen any data yet on differences between liberals and conservatives in the tendency to pursue such careers?


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siggy aug 09
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2008
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 6:04pm

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yep...


<>


http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080327/news_lz1e27will.html


does any one know the ratio between religious conservatives and secular conservatives?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2008
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 6:16pm
<

A poor liberal feels more the victim. They are angrier at the disparity. Feel it's unfair, they are more envious, feel less in control and are thus more miserable.>>


i'm curious how belief in god factors in to these statements.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2008
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 6:24pm

You don't understand the point being made.


Yes, I do. I just don't agree with you.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2007
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 6:27pm

I was thinking of this more in terms of OTHER victims, not of ones own circumstances.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2007
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 6:31pm

I think that the irony here is that I am a Republican, I am GIDDY over Obama's win, and I have not felt this good about a president's election since Reagan (though I was a kid at the time).

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2008
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 6:33pm

Great example.


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2006
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 6:38pm


<

A poor liberal feels more the victim. They are angrier at the disparity. Feel it's unfair, they are more envious, feel less in control and are thus more miserable.>>


Quite ironic indeed for you to say this when you have stated the government taking your money for tax purposes was like holding a gun to your head.


I think scapegoating people less fortunate is a sign of resentment and feeling out of control.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2008
Fri, 11-07-2008 - 6:59pm

<>

That is a very good point. I do wish the research out there did a better job of separating out liberals and conservatives based on economic issues versus different social issues, because I think this research tends to lump people together and ignore that the reasons we use to define ourselves one way or another may vary considerably. For example, I view myself as more liberal, but really because of how I feel on social issues. I think there are some conservatives here who view themselves as conservative more because of how they feel on economic issues.



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siggy aug 09