Why leftism attracts the sad and depressed — and keeps them that way



By now, the trope of the “sad leftist” has become so popular that it’s essentially a meme. Multiple studies show leftists are, on average, far less happy than conservatives. That aligns with the experience of many who observe self-professed leftists exhibiting more anxiety, gloom, and hostility than others.

It’s not difficult to understand why. If your main news sources tell you the president is a fascist, half of your countrymen are bigots, and the world is about to end due to climate change, you’re bound to feel — and vote — blue. Yet, even in Democratic administrations, leftists never seemed content.

People latch onto progressive narratives because they offer someone to blame. That brings short-term relief, but it quickly fades.

This suggests the root of their discontent isn’t merely political messaging but something deeper. Rather, the ideas implicit in leftism seem antithetical to a happy life and human flourishing — even if well-intended. Leftists push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in place of meritocracy, support a more powerful state to implement those ideals, advocate open borders to globalize them, and demand wealth redistribution to fund them. In the sanitized and euphemistic language they often prefer, leftists are about fairness, progress, and kindness.

Sad people lean left

Nate Silver recently weighed in on the happiness gap between conservatives and progressives. His take? People might have it backward. It’s not that leftism makes people sad but that sad people gravitate toward leftism: “People become liberals because they’re struggling or oppressed themselves and therefore favor change and a larger role for government.”

If this is true, it still doesn’t explain why leftism is correlated with sadness and why it offers no remedy. Conservatives, for their part, offer a diagnosis and a cure: Leftism is foolish and destructive — so stop being a leftist. That’s the gist of Ben Shapiro’s infamous line, “Facts don’t care about your feelings.”

While clever and catchy, this oversimplifies the problem. People who ascribe to liberal or leftist causes don’t merely do so because they prioritize feelings over facts. Yes, some are true believers, but most are reacting to powerful cultural pressures and personal struggles. These feed destructive habits that, in turn, make them more susceptible to leftist propaganda.

After all, the narratives that comprise leftist propaganda are easy to understand and adopt since they lay the blame of all society’s ills on someone else. People are poor because rich people exploit them; people of color are marginalized because white people are racists; queer people are depressed because straight people don’t accept them; third world countries are dysfunctional because Americans and Europeans meddled in their affairs too much or too little; and leftists are unpopular because Trump and other conservative populists are effective con men.

The media’s vicious cycle

These narratives not only offer paltry short-term solace — they breed resentment. Instead of directing their efforts to personal improvement, leftists are encouraged to push their anger outward — sometimes through direct violence (vandalism, looting, even political violence) and sometimes indirectly by cheering on those who perpetrate it. In this way, left-wing media weaponizes its audience.

Nevertheless, the principle motivation behind leftist propaganda is not necessarily weaponization. It’s monetization. Beyond adopting leftist narratives and positions, audiences need to continue consuming leftist media and become addicted to it.

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Karolina Grabowska/Pexels

As Georgetown professor and computer scientist Cal Newport explains in his book “Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World,” society has now entered the era of the “attention economy,” where media companies do everything in their power to hold people’s attention — for forever. In conjunction with tech companies, these outlets turn otherwise healthy people into helpless junkies enslaved to the apps on their smartphones.

Like any addiction, this one feeds a destructive cycle. People latch onto progressive narratives because they offer someone to blame. That brings short-term relief, but it quickly fades. The need for comfort drives them to consume even more leftist content, which distorts their view of the world and fuels resentment. Anxiety deepens. Misery spreads.

As their emotional state deteriorates, they seek comfort in even more content. Eventually, this behavior sabotages their ability to function. They become dependent on the very content that made them feel worse in the first place. Many even join the performance, filming themselves crying, ranting, and broadcasting their despair for clicks.

Meanwhile, the titans of the attention economy grow wealthier and more powerful. They refine their algorithms, suppress dissent, and tighten their grip. The last thing they want is for their users to wake up — to take Newport’s advice, unplug, and rediscover meaning in the real world. They might just find happiness. And stop drifting left.

Model a different life

This presents an opportunity for conservatives hoping to transform the culture. The answer isn’t just a matter of advocating time-tested ideas but of modeling the habits that reinforce these ideas. Rather than view leftists as incorrigible scoundrels and idiots who refuse to open their eyes, conservatives should see them as unfortunate people who have been seduced, reduced, and enslaved by powerful corporate and government interests.

This means that conservatives should do more than offer political arguments — we must pull them away from the vicious cycle through modeling a better life. Leftists (and many on the online right, for that matter) must be reminded that being perpetually online and endlessly scrolling is a recipe for sadness. In contrast, church, family, friends, and meaningful work are what empower people. They are what make us human — and happy.

Once the cycle is broken — and the leftist has regained some control over himself — the case for conservatism becomes much easier. If Nate Silver is right that sad people gravitate to the left, then it’s only logical to assume happy people should be attracted to the right. Conservatives should cherish those values and habits that make them, on average, happier and more fulfilled. It’s time to stop drinking leftist tears and help them out of their malaise.

The Republican Party won’t be saved by excuses



Texas conservatives have long trusted the Republican Party to stand firm on core values: secure borders, parental rights, the Second Amendment, and limited government. We’ve delivered them power in Austin. But too many GOP lawmakers now serve corporate donors and media elites — not the grassroots conservatives who put them in office.

Texas may be a red state, but the last legislative session told a different story. Thirty-six Republican state lawmakers joined Democrats on critical votes that gutted conservative priorities. They campaign as fighters and govern as cowards — folding at the first whiff of media pressure or lobbyist resistance. That’s not leadership. That’s betrayal.

When Texas Republicans falter, they don’t just fail their state — they fail the country.

Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star generates headlines, but the border remains wide open. Despite the efforts of the Trump administration, cartels continue to move drugs and people freely across Texas soil. Ranchers continue to live in fear. Families bury loved ones lost to fentanyl. Texans demand action, but Austin delivers press releases.

Yes, regardless of the federal government’s efforts — and the Trump administration is certainly a refreshing change from Joe Biden —Texas has the constitutional authority to act. Where’s the declaration of invasion? Where’s the full mobilization? Leadership doesn’t mean deploying troops for photo ops. It means taking responsibility and enforcing the law.

It isn’t ‘culture war nonsense’

Parents across Texas want transparency. They want to know what their kids are learning, reading, and hearing in school — especially on issues of sex and gender. Some lawmakers have stepped up. Too many haven’t. They call it “culture war nonsense” while siding with school boards and bureaucrats who treat parents as threats.

Legislators who can’t stop minors from receiving irreversible medical procedures without parental consent don’t belong in conservative office. That’s not compromise. That’s surrender.

Don’t dismiss the Second Amendment

After every shooting, moderate Republicans float “reasonable restrictions.” But the Constitution doesn’t hedge. It says “shall not be infringed.”

Texans don’t want red-flag laws. They want their rights respected. When figures like Rep. Dan Crenshaw entertain policies that chip away at due process, they don’t look pragmatic. They look weak. If you won’t defend gun rights without apology, step aside.

Meme bills and muzzled dissent

Texas Republicans now flirt with speech regulation. One bill would have required registration for anonymous political memes — all in the name of fighting “disinformation.” That’s not governance. That’s control.

Conservatives believe in protecting anonymous speech because we remember what it’s for: dissent. Critique. Satire. These aren’t bugs in the system — they’re essential features. If Austin lawmakers wants to mirror D.C.'s, voters will start treating them the same way.

Contempt for the base

The real issue isn’t just policy. It’s culture. The GOP establishment in Austin feels more at home with lobbyists than with the voters who knock doors and fund their campaigns. Primary challengers get dismissed as “fringe,” even as the grassroots base grows louder — and angrier.

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Photo by Ben Sklar/Getty Images

Calls for term limits are rising. The appetite for bold reform is real. If Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) can deliver conservative wins in Florida, why can’t Texas? Why are we still making excuses?

This isn’t just about Texas

Texas shapes the national Republican Party. It drives presidential races and defines what the GOP stands for. When Texas Republicans falter, they don’t just fail their state — they fail the country.

As state Rep. Brian Harrison has shown, the last legislative session exposed serious cracks in the GOP foundation. Conservatives must respond: organize locally, show up at the Capitol, primary the cowards. An “R” isn’t a free pass. If you govern like a Democrat, expect to be treated like one.

Secure the border. Empower parents. Protect the Second Amendment. Defend free speech. Or get out of the way.

Texas doesn’t need more Republicans. It needs better ones.

Texas takes aim at free speech — with a Republican trigger finger



If someone said a state was attacking the First Amendment, most conservatives would assume it was California or New York. But shockingly, it’s Texas — the supposed conservative bulwark — that’s threatening free speech.

Texas House Bill 366, now pending before the state Senate, targets “digitally altered” political ads. But its vague wording and draconian penalties risk criminalizing satire, parody, and grassroots messaging — the very tools conservatives use to fight media bias and elite narratives. Texans must reject this betrayal of core constitutional principles.

HB 366 treats satire, memes, and parody as threats, even though they’ve become essential weapons in the right’s arsenal.

HB 366, sponsored by former Republican Speaker Dade Phelan, requires disclaimers for any political ad containing “altered media” if the originator spends more than $100. The penalty? A Class A misdemeanor and up to a year in jail.

Supporters claim the law would curb AI-generated deepfakes that mislead voters. But the bill doesn’t narrowly target malicious deception — it swings wildly, threatening legitimate political speech.

Conservatives agree that deepfakes pose real risks. A video of Trump endorsing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could confuse voters. But HB 366 isn’t a scalpel — it’s a sledgehammer. It treats satire, memes, and parody as threats, even though they’ve become essential weapons in the right’s arsenal.

The bill’s flaws are obvious. “Altered media” can mean anything — a high-tech AI fake or a Photoshopped image of Phelan in a cowboy hat. The $100 threshold? Pocket change in the world of online ads. That barely covers a few boosted X posts or a Canva subscription. The law targets ordinary citizens, not professional propagandists.

Enforcement falls to the Texas Ethics Commission, which will find itself chasing down conservative meme-makers. Post a viral cartoon mocking your opponent? Forget the fine print and face jail time. That’s not transparency — it’s censorship backed by handcuffs.

State Rep. Shelley Luther, one of the few real conservatives in Austin, nailed it: “We’re banning political memes and giving people up to a year in jail for failing to attach a disclosure to a cartoon.”

She’s right. Memes are a modern megaphone. They slice through corporate media spin and Big Tech suppression. From “Let’s Go Brandon” to Trump’s dance clips, they connect with voters in a way that no white paper or campaign ad ever could.

Under HB 366, a well-timed meme could land you behind bars.

What’s Phelan’s motivation here? He blames the rise of deepfakes. In this case, it's personal. A 2024 mailer featured an altered image of him hugging Nancy Pelosi. But instead of toughening up, he decided to muzzle political ridicule. State Rep. Nate Schatzline called the bill “anti-American.” He’s right. The First Amendment doesn’t make exceptions for thin-skinned Republicans.

HB 366 hands more power to the elites — media gatekeepers, tech censors, and government bureaucrats — to decide what counts as “deceptive.” Conservatives, once again, will be the first targets. As Jefferson warned, “An unjust law is no law at all.” This bill insults the Constitution and the voters it claims to protect.

Instead of punishing citizens, lawmakers should narrowly target AI-generated deepfakes created with the intent to deceive. Use civil penalties, not jail time. Raise the spending threshold to $10,000 to focus on major players, not patriots with PayPal accounts. And educate voters to spot deception — don’t criminalize dissent.

Texas is the last place conservatives should expect to fight for free speech. But if this bill passes, no red state is safe. HB 366 doesn’t just endanger Texans — it threatens the digital backbone of the conservative movement.

Memes, satire, and humor have carried our message where mainstream channels won’t. Let’s not let bad law do what the left couldn’t: silence us.

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Texas Republican who tried to impeach Ken Paxton now trying to criminalize political memes



Texas state Rep. Dade Phelan (R), the at-times incomprehensible former state House speaker who led the unsuccessful impeachment effort against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is pushing a bill that would criminalize the publication, distribution, or broadcast of certain political memes or altered media.

Critics have suggested that Phelan's House Bill 366 is unconstitutional, stressing that it would run afoul of the First Amendment.

Phelan's bill would require "political advertising that includes an image, audio recording, or video recording of an officeholder's or candidate's appearance, speech or conduct that did not occur in reality," including media manipulated with generative artificial intelligence, to include a disclosure accounting for the meme's creative deviations from reality.

Under the proposed law, the Texas Ethics Commission would determine what form that disclosure takes, including "the font, size, and color of the disclosure."

Failure to include a disclosure could land Texans in jail with a Class A misdemeanor charge.

Fort Worth attorney Tony McDonald, a specialist in First Amendment litigation, told Texas Scorecard, "It's amazing that this ridiculous bill is the top priority of the Texas House's most powerful committee. This bill is obviously unconstitutional. It would criminalize protected speech on the basis of its content."

'Tryin to bolster my outlaw cred.'

When presiding over a 14-hour state House session in 2023, Phelan appeared to slur his words and have difficulty identifying a colleague. This prompted Paxton and others to allege that he was "in an obviously intoxicated state," and to call for his resignation. Phelan dodged questions about the allegations. In the years since, criticism of Phelan has in some cases incorporated mockery of the incident.

Texas Scorecard suggested that the "Drunk Dade" call-ins to Michael Berry's talk radio show — consisting of an impression of a supposedly inebriated Phelan — might, for instance, qualify as verboten speech under House Bill 366.

Berry noted on Monday, "DrunkDade tryin to bolster my outlaw cred," suggesting that the parodies make Phelan "so mad he's tryin to make it illegal."

Phelan's inspiration to push the bill might instead be the so-called deepfake political advertisement that targeted him ahead of the Republican primary runoff election last year.

The Texas Tribune reported that the offending political mailer, which was paid for by the Club for Growth Action PAC, featured two photoshops: one that swapped House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) out of a photograph and instead depicted Phelan hugging Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.); and another falsely depicting Phelan giving a speech at a Texas House Democratic Caucus news conference.

The mailer stated, "Texas Republicans deserve better than Democrat puppet Dade Phelan!"

Under the proposed legislation, such doctored images would require disclosures "indicating that the image, audio recording, or video recording did not occur in reality."

Texas Scorecard indicated that Phelan did not respond to a request for comment.

The Texas Legislature's state affairs committee will hold a public hearing on the bill on Wednesday. In the meantime, critics are sharing memes and photoshops to social media of Phelan without disclosures, demonstrating what might qualify as criminal should he get his way.

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Trump inspires the youth and TRIGGERS leftists with Napoleon quote



President Donald Trump may be 78 years old, but his actions and words are reaching the conservative youth like no other president has.

The president has a 56% approval rating among 18- to 39-year-olds, which is higher than any other age group. Only 28% of the age group strongly disapproves of Trump.

“That’s not a lot of hate, and that’s a lot of love. A majority of love coming from younger voters,” Matthew Peterson of “Blaze News Tonight” tells co-host Jill Savage and Blaze Media digital strategist Logan Hall.

And one of the ways Trump communicates so effectively with the youth is through his embrace of meme culture — which has sent liberal media outlets and podcasters into an outrage.


Which makes it no surprise that they flew into a frenzy when President Donald Trump reposted a Napoleon quote.

Hall, who is the original author of the post and part of the conservative youth, shared an image of Napoleon alongside the quote, “He who saves his country, violates no law.”

Trump then, to Hall’s surprise, shared it.

“Probably my proudest moment online. It all paid off,” Hall tells Peterson and Savage, noting that Trump “taps into a sort of great man of history.”

“You can rescue your country, we don’t have to live like serfs in our country. That’s not what America was founded for. And if you just take a couple steps back and look at it, you have to say, ‘OK, America can go this way or they can go that way. And we’re not going to do this same old stupid game that you’ve been playing. We are taking our country back,’” Hall explains.

“This caused almost an international controversy,” Peterson comments. “Almost every cable show, every podcast, was talking about this tweet.”

“As soon as I saw it, I was laughing hysterically,” he continues, adding, “because I knew the left was going to go crazy and say Trump is some kind of dictator and a bunch of other garbage.”

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10 YUGE Elon Musk tweets from a wild presidential campaign weekend



When Elon Musk put his voice and considerable wealth behind President Donald J. Trump's campaign, it signaled a shift in the country. One of the country's most successful businessmen and entrepreneurs made his fortune by inventing what became Google Maps, making online payments, transforming electric vehicles, and single-handedly saving the American space program. So when he acquired Twitter, changed the name to X, and then signaled his support for Trump's campaign, it was a watershed moment in a political realignment that's shaking up everyone from old-school RNC power brokers to Silicon Valley tycoons and everyone in between. It's hard to understate the importance of his purchase of X. Without a platform where people and alternative media outlets could share information, it's unlikely that Trump would have any chance of getting in for a second term. His tweeting style can be equally hilarious and over the top. Here are the ten funniest tweets Elon sent over a wild political weekend.

Everyone in America would support never getting another political text for the rest of their lives.

— (@)

An underrated strategy Musk has employed is a robust get-out-the-vote campaign in swing states, including paying one lucky winner $1 million each day in the run-up to the election. It's resulted in a wave of new Republican voters.

— (@)

Over the weekend, the state of New York raided a man with a pet squirrel and killed the man's pets. It struck a nerve, showing how much the government has grown into being a nefarious force that meddles in the lives of everyday Americans. Elon jumped in to promise justice for Peanut the squirrel.

— (@)

The story of the murdered squirrel caught on like wildfire and resulted in memes calling for justice to be done.

— (@)

This tweet is a perfect example of the power of the X platform to cut through media lies. In the past, media could just lie that President Trump had called for violence against Liz Cheney, when he was merely pointing out the hypocrisy of people like her who send our soldiers to die in pointless wars while she comfortably plots from D.C. Now, there's the opportunity to push narratives and voices like Tulsi Gabbard to counter this blatant lie.

— (@)

Never, under any circumstances, drink the Kool-Aid.

— (@)

Fair and balanced.

— (@)

At this point, Harris should have P. Diddy endorsing her from jail, considering she has everyone else on stage from his parties.

— (@)

Does anyone doubt this at this point?

— (@)

The last thing a government bureaucrat making six figures working from home 16 hours a week sees.

— (@)

Make sure to try to convince everyone you know to go out and vote.

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