It's no fun being in the reality-based community

Would seem obvious to me, but apparently it's true that deluding oneself is the secret to happiness.

RECENT SURVEYS HAVE indicated that conservatives, on average, report being happier than liberals. Two psychologists wanted to know why, so they re-analyzed data from several large national and international surveys. The conservative-happiness relationship was not explained by differences in demographics or thoughtfulness but was largely explained by conservatives' greater rationalization of inequality, including belief in a meritocratic world. According to the authors, such beliefs serve a "palliative function" or act as an "emotional buffer" when confronted with inequality. The same was true overseas, especially in countries with lower standards of living. Moreover, the authors found that the happiness gap between liberals and conservatives in the United States has widened over the last three decades as inequality has increased here.

Napier, J. and Jost, J., "Why Are Conservatives Happier Than Liberals?" Psychological Science (June 2008).

Obama's reliance on economic issues may not be enough to win over working poor whites if they don't recognize the inequalities they face. So, the deluded may once again elect the deluded.