This is an interesting post, from you big bag of Devil's Advocate positions.
Well, I am not sure what you meant when you called me that name, but if you meant a trouble maker, then I will have to admit that I am always a bit mischievous.
I like to ask questions, not neccessarily that I would have an answer of my own or expect that someone would have. I may be too philosophical for my own good. Perhaps I should stop asking questions. Hey, I stick to engineering to make a living, but even that can turn controversial too often. Hence, I have always preferred mathematics, whose truth is most absolute and unambiguous.
... So people vote for or against abortion, for or against gun control, for or against immigration, for or against school prayer. This enable them to feel good about themselves, and also to solidify their social position in their group by things such as bumper stickers saying-"Don't blame me, I voted for Gore (or substitute McCain).
Essentially voting gives one a low cost opportunity to align with the “good” angels.
About the theory that voters simply wanting to feel good, I think there's some truth in it. However, I don't think that people necessarily want to vote with the crowd, to tilt with the wind as whatever the current poll indicates. I think that the stronger a voter's conviction, the better he feels after casting his vote, no matter whether his side wins or loses. As I do not often have such a strong conviction, I guess it is my loss. As I get older, I tend to care less and less about which political side wins.
At a lesser level, we can observe sport spectators. As I watch no sport games, I do not understand why it is such a big deal that this or that team wins. By being indifferent, I guess I miss out on the excitement that most people derive from such popular passive pastimes. By cheering for one's team in a sport game that will soon be forgotten as any other games before it, people feel alive with joy if it wins, or anger or sorrow if it loses. It makes them feel alive.
And although I have resigned to fatalism regarding politics, I look at the stock market as a place where you have complete control over your decision. Vote against your fellow investors if you wish, if you have a strong conviction about how things will work out. Strangely, many shy away from such an individual responsibility, from being able to make up their own choices. Is it because they would have only themselves to blame if things do not work out? Is it because that when our pocketbook is at stake, that we no longer wish to differentiate from the masses, and simply wish to be anonymous in the crowd?
Ah, back to being mischievous, I guess I answer my own pondering as to why I like to cause trouble by asking questions. It may be my perverse way of having fun as I cannot entertain myself the same way most people do.
PS. I need to log off to go grill some steaks for dinner, in case you don't see me hanging around.
