I think most conservatives are happy because they have faith. I am speaking of not only the religious variety, but primarily a faith in self. The conservative sees himself in an active and dynamic role in his/her own future, while the liberal looks elsewhere (government, usually) for change/improvement. Experience tells me that if you rely on a large bureaucracy of any kind to improve something you're going to waiting a long, long, long time for results and that in and of itself has to be incredibly depressing. Conservatives also seem to have a more realistic viewpoint about the external forces. We see a disaster like Myanmar and see that it is horrible, but out of our control. Liberals see it as some sort of duty to save them ( the affected populace)from themselves (the junta), hence setting themselves up for disappointment. Oh, and it will
ALL somehow be America's fault.
'White guilt' taken to the nth level.