Anyway, re: happiness levels, I could see how the strong religious beliefs that many wingers have, for example, could increase their happiness levels. Most wingers that I know are religious, while most Democrats that I know are not.
I don't think religion in itself makes you happier but it correlates with a strong spiritual life, which does. That's why I try to make spirituality a major component of my life and throw out the dogmatic religion b.s.