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To the Editor:
Re “Can Those on the Left Be Happy?,” by Ross Douthat (column, April 7):
Mr. Douthat thinks, citing no proof, that individuals on the left are “by nature” unhappier than moderates or conservatives, partly as a result of he thinks we don’t consider in God anymore.
The left isn’t “by nature” sad; we are usually brutally sincere with ourselves and unavoidably empathetic to the plights of those that undergo. I put on these traits as a badge of honor.
If we really feel extra sad as of late, it’s not as a result of it’s in our genes. It’s as a result of we see the truths of our world — the unconventional disruptions from expertise, the very actual threats of local weather change, the distortions of our financial system that go away so many behind, and the specter of political violence and fascism on our doorstep (because of, um, the God-fearing proper). We see all of it with readability and are due to this fact motivated to alter it.
I’m a proud liberal who is decided and hopeful, and completely happy more often than not. I don’t know if I consider in God, however I believe Jesus was fairly superior, and what I principally suppose is that we’d all be quite a bit higher off if extra of these on the correct (particularly the politicians) would dwell their lives as in the event that they thought Jesus was superior too.
Rebecca Spence
New Providence, N.J.
To the Editor:
Ross Douthat is true to say that individuals on the left have change into pessimistic. He attributes a lot of the left’s dangerous temper to its drift away from “the Christianity of the American social gospel custom” and its message of “elementary optimism.”
But did the left drift away from faith, or did faith stray from its mission? As a left-leaning non secular chief, I’ve to take Mr. Douthat to job for failing to acknowledge that lots of the most influential American non secular establishments appear to have change into unmoored from any gospel of social, financial or environmental justice.
I think about that it’s exhausting for a youngster as of late to really feel that old-time faith-based optimism when the loudest preachers in America deny the very existence of the forces that threaten younger lives essentially the most, akin to local weather change and the erosion of our democracy.
(Rabbi) Michael Goldman
White Plains, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Ross Douthat wonders if fashionable liberals, within the absence of spiritual or ideological certainties, could be completely happy. I’ll admit that it may be a problem, should you care about human struggling and injustice and also you don’t consider you might be assured success or a reward on your efforts to assist.
All I can say is, discover pleasure the place you discover it — in serving to a toddler really feel safe, completely happy and empowered; serving to the very aged know they nonetheless have worth; tending your backyard, residence and relationships; sincere work. If all we’re doing is creating zones of affection and wonder in an unsure world, it’s nonetheless value doing.
Joan Vanore
Indianapolis
To the Editor:
It’s reassuring to study from Ross Douthat that our conservative associates are so completely happy. They usually simply look terrified. Terrified of getting their blood poisoned by individuals who don’t appear to be them, of books with unfamiliar concepts, of people that love otherwise and of low-income individuals who may finagle an undeserved profit.
They seem so terrified of their fellow residents that they might moderately prohibit voting than danger democracy. So frightened, in reality, that they comply with a pacesetter who bellows about blood baths, carnage and World War III. It seems that these associates of ours are stockpiling weapons whereas we liberal dupes go birding or to concert events. I’m undecided I envy that sort of contentment.
Nancy Lorince
Bedminster, N.J.
To the Editor:
What an absurd assertion that “the left-wing temperament is, by nature, unhappier than the reasonable and conservative alternate options.” Embracing progress to enhance our lot now by working towards equity, fairness, sustainability and group versus pinning hopes on some afterlife doesn’t make one sad. It makes you an affordable, accountable (and dare I say, completely happy) human.
Kevin Porter
Concord, N.H.
To the Editor:
Ross Douthat declares that these on the left can’t be completely happy and explains why.
I’m no knowledgeable, but when I needed to establish an sad political class, I’d be inclined to quote the correct moderately than the left. Can the snarling Representatives Jim Jordan and James Comer probably be completely happy? Does Ann Coulter radiate sunshine? Is it happiness that strikes Donald Trump to foretell blood baths and to model immigrants as animals? Do the crowds that cheer him on look serene and content material?
I respect Mr. Douthat, however I believe he’s dead improper this time.
Norm Tabler
Carmel, Ind.
To the Editor:
Even although a liberal, I normally take pleasure in Ross Douthat’s observations, however claiming that reasonable to proper conservatives are happier than their counterparts on the left is patently risible.
The solely foundation I can see for this conclusion is that not caring in regards to the welfare of others should be conducive to raised sleep at night time. But then easy methods to clarify the necessity for a totally computerized AK-47 on the night time stand and two in the lounge? Or their fealty to that happiest of completely happy warriors, Donald Trump?
Eric Conger
Weehawken, N.J.
To the Editor:
In my expertise as a practising medical psychologist for greater than 35 years, I see sufferers each on the left and on the correct politically who’re sad. I resent Ross Douthat’s implied belittling of psychotherapy for many who are “comforted by neither God nor historical past, and hoping vaguely that remedy can take their place.”
I consider that this disparages the dedication sufferers deliver to their work in remedy, in addition to the work of the professionals who deal with them.
Karin Ruetzel
Evanston, Ill.
To the Editor:
“Can Those on the Left Be Happy?” Yes!
With the acquisition of my Trump Bible and gilded sneakers, I really feel a heat, cascading, virtuous happiness and contentment washing away my dirty liberal bile!
Matt Tanguay
Ann Arbor, Mich.
