To the Editor:
Re “Can Those on the Left Be Happy?,” by Ross Douthat (column, April 7):
Mr. Douthat thinks, citing no evidence, that people on the left are “by nature” unhappier than moderates or conservatives, in part because he thinks we don’t believe in God anymore.
The left is not “by nature” unhappy; we are often brutally honest with ourselves and unavoidably empathetic to the plights of those who suffer. I wear those traits as a badge of honor.
If we feel more unhappy these days, it’s not because it’s in our genes. It’s because we see the truths of our world — the radical disruptions from technology, the very real threats of climate change, the distortions of our economy that leave so many behind, and the threat of political violence and fascism on our doorstep (thanks to, um, the God-fearing right). We see it all with clarity and are therefore motivated to change it.
I’m a proud liberal who is determined and hopeful, and happy most of the time. I don’t know if I believe in God, but I think Jesus was pretty awesome, and what I mostly think is that we’d all be a lot better off if more of those on the right (especially the politicians) would live their lives as if they thought Jesus was awesome too.
Rebecca Spence
New Providence, N.J.
To the Editor:
Ross Douthat is right to claim that people on the left have become pessimistic. He attributes much of the left’s bad mood to its drift away from “the Christianity of the American social gospel tradition” and its message of “fundamental optimism.”
But did the left drift away from religion, or did religion stray from its mission? As a left-leaning religious leader, I have to take Mr. Douthat to task for failing to acknowledge that many of the most influential American religious institutions seem to have become unmoored from any gospel of social, economic or environmental justice.
I imagine that it’s hard for a young person these days to feel that old-time faith-based optimism when the loudest preachers in America deny the very existence of the forces that threaten young lives the most, such as climate change and the erosion of our democracy.
(Rabbi) Michael Goldman
White Plains, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Ross Douthat wonders if modern liberals, in the absence of religious or ideological certainties, can be happy. I’ll admit that it can be a challenge, if you care about human suffering and injustice and you don’t believe you are guaranteed success or a reward for your efforts to help.
All I can say is, find joy where you find it — in helping a child feel secure, happy and empowered; helping the very elderly know they still have value; tending your garden, home and relationships; honest work. If all we’re doing is creating zones of love and beauty in an uncertain world, it is still worth doing.
Joan Vanore
Indianapolis
To the Editor:
It’s reassuring to learn from Ross Douthat that our conservative friends are so happy. They often just look terrified. Terrified of having their blood poisoned by people who don’t look like them, of books with unfamiliar ideas, of people who love differently and of low-income people who might finagle an undeserved benefit.
They appear so frightened of their fellow citizens that they would rather restrict voting than risk democracy. So frightened, in fact, that they follow a leader who bellows about blood baths, carnage and World War III. It appears that these friends of ours are stockpiling guns while we liberal dupes go birding or to concerts. I’m not sure I envy that kind of contentment.
Nancy Lorince
Bedminster, N.J.
To the Editor:
What an absurd statement that “the left-wing temperament is, by nature, unhappier than the moderate and conservative alternatives.” Embracing progress to improve our lot now by working toward fairness, equity, sustainability and community as opposed to pinning hopes on some afterlife doesn’t make one unhappy. It makes you a reasonable, responsible (and dare I say, happy) human.
Kevin Porter
Concord, N.H.
To the Editor:
Ross Douthat declares that those on the left can’t be happy and explains why.
I’m no expert, but if I had to identify an unhappy political class, I’d be inclined to cite the right rather than the left. Can the snarling Representatives Jim Jordan and James Comer possibly be happy? Does Ann Coulter radiate sunshine? Is it happiness that moves Donald Trump to predict blood baths and to brand immigrants as animals? Do the crowds that cheer him on look serene and content?
I respect Mr. Douthat, but I think he is dead wrong this time.
Norm Tabler
Carmel, Ind.
To the Editor:
Even though a liberal, I usually enjoy Ross Douthat’s observations, but claiming that moderate to right conservatives are happier than their counterparts on the left is patently risible.
The only basis I can see for this conclusion is that not caring about the welfare of others must be conducive to better sleep at night. But then how to explain the need for a fully automatic AK-47 on the night stand and two in the living room? Or their fealty to that happiest of happy warriors, Donald Trump?
Eric Conger
Weehawken, N.J.
To the Editor:
In my experience as a practicing clinical psychologist for more than 35 years, I see patients both on the left and on the right politically who are unhappy. I resent Ross Douthat’s implied belittling of psychotherapy for those who are “comforted by neither God nor history, and hoping vaguely that therapy can take their place.”
I believe that this disparages the commitment patients bring to their work in therapy, as well as the work of the professionals who treat them.
Karin Ruetzel
Evanston, Ill.
To the Editor:
“Can Those on the Left Be Happy?” Yes!
With the purchase of my Trump Bible and gilded sneakers, I feel a warm, cascading, virtuous happiness and contentment washing away my grimy liberal bile!
Matt Tanguay
Ann Arbor, Mich.