This little manufactured controversy has been entertaining because it really struck a nerve.

Donald Trump’s vice-presidential candidate JD Vance has defended resurfaced comments in which he called Democratic politicians a “bunch of childless cat ladies with miserable lives”.

 

His remarks, made in 2021, have been roundly criticised this week, with Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston among those to have hit out at the 39-year-old Republican.

 

“Obviously it was a sarcastic comment. People are focusing so much on the sarcasm and not on the substance of what I actually said,” Mr Vance told the conservative media personality Megyn Kelly on Friday.

 

“The substance of what I said, Megyn – I’m sorry, it’s true,” he added.

I listened to the extended interview. Vance was clearly being glib to make a point. But the point is valid. Liberals are generally less happy than conservatives. The studies showing this have been replicated for decades. With that misery, it is a common human reaction to want to lash out and make sure other people are as miserable as you. Think of how angry many liberals got when they saw people ignore Covid restrictions and having a good time. Or think of how angry liberals gets because Vance appreciates a good soft couch (see, we can poke fun at ourselves). Liberal ideology is not a “live and let live” ideology. It is a “everyone conform for the greater good” ideology.

By and large, most conservatives I know are generally happy people. Happy in their families. Happy in their faith. Happy in their homes. They mostly just want people to leave them alone. They get most worked up when the government or other people interfere with how they are trying to live their lives. Why are they happier? I think it is because generally their values are centered around God and family instead of government and society at large. It’s easy to look in your children’s faces and find joy. It is not so easy to look around at the mass of humanity and find that same joy.

Related, Vance has also shared the sentiment that people with children have a greater stake in the future of this country. This is correct and used to be understood. No, that does not mean that people without children are less American or cannot act in the best interests of the future of this nation, but it is different to have an esoteric or intellectual stake in something and to have your own children’s futures in the balance. It is the difference between the chicken and the hog at breakfast. One has a lot more skin in the game, so to speak.

For people who love to crow about nuanced and honest discussions, they sure pounce like J. B. Pritzker on a donut when they think it is to their political advantage.