Don’t Worry, Be Happy
GOPers More Mentally Fit?
Republicans may have an unpopular president and gloomy 2008 prospects for both the presidency and Congress, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering them too much.
A roundup of Gallup health polls over the past four years finds that Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to report having excellent mental health.
The survey found that 58 percent of Republicans polled reported having excellent mental health. Only 38 percent of Democrats and 43 percent of Independents reported the same. The relationship between party affiliation and mental health was virtually constant even within categories of income, age, gender and other factors.
"The reason the relationship exists between being a Republican and more positive mental health is unknown, and one cannot say whether something about being a Republican causes a person to be more mentally healthy or whether something about being mentally healthy causes a person to choose to become a Republican," the study said.
The study speculated that the fact that Republicans have on average higher incomes than members of others parties could play a factor. But in the study, even Republicans making less than $50,000 a year reported having excellent health far more than Democrats earning the same.
The study was based on interviews with 4,014 American adults who were at least 18 years old, conducted from November 2004 through 2007. The margin of error was 2 percent.
Today in Political History
Dec. 5, 1933: U.S. Prohibition ends after 14 years as Utah becomes the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the 18th. (Source: Perspicuity)
Dec. 5, 1994: Republicans choose Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., to be the first Republican speaker of the house in four decades. (NBC5)
Wise Words
“All that seems indispensible in stating the account between the dead and the living, is to see that the debts against the latter do not exceed the advances made by the former.”
-- James Madison (Source: Brainy Quote)
Campaign Tip
Become a Great Speaker
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "All the great speakers were bad speakers at first." In reality, you are already a great speaker. You give great presentations every day.
Think about how often you successfully communicate your ideas to loved ones, co-workers, or acquaintances. You make a simple point. You choose language that they understand and to which they can relate. You answer their objections satisfactorily. You close with them agreeing to do something you want them to do. You just employed the great elements of a successful speech.
So what happens when you talk to a group of people that you don’t know well? You perspire, your heart races, your hand and legs tremble, your voice is tight and your mouth dry. (Read entire tip by Randall Whatley at Political Resources)
Taxpayers Assoc. Newsletter
The Utah Taxpayers Association has posted its December newsletter. This month's edition looks at whether truth-in-taxation unnecessarily restricts property tax revenue growth and features a column by Association President Howard Stephenson on "why education needs politics."
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- The Politico: "President Bush refused to rule out a military strike against Iran Tuesday, though he confirmed the latest National Intelligence Estimate showed the Islamic state had halted a weapons program."
-- The Hill: "Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday cited the new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) evaluation on Iran as evidence that pressure on that country has worked, while her opponents continued to criticize her more hawkish stance on relations with Tehran."
-- National Journal: Columnist Charlie Cook explains why early state wins might not matter in the '08 presidential race.
-- Salon: Columnist Juan Cole explains "why Bush's troop surge won't save Iraq."
Blog Watch
-- At The Senate Site, Sen. Dennis Stowell solicits reader feedback on his plan to amend HB 466, dealing with new town incorporation process, "in a way that empowers citizens as the gatekeepers."
Lighter Side
“If you really want to keep a secret in Washington, give a speech. No one pays attention.”
-- Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff (Campaigns & Elections magazine) |
