Happy state vs. Red state vs. Blue state – and NY as the least happy state

I am always suspicious of social scientists with an evident axe to grind, but this is still a bit interesting.

Except for Hawaii — presumably blissful for its island breezes, yearlong flora, and an prevalent pineapples — all of the top five happiness states are located in the South or desert Southwest. In fact, of the happiest fifteen states, all but Hawaii and Maine are traditionally "red" states. As for the bottom fifteen, all but Missouri and Nevada are located within the coastal blue-state culture. (As a border state, Missouri checked in at #37, not doggedly unhappy. As for Nevada, its happiness quotient has probably been diluted by the ongoing migration of Californians, as well as by the utter misery of having Harry Reid as its representative in the Senate.) Meanwhile, New York has the distinction of being the least happy state in the country, with Michigan and California not far behind.

New York is the least happy state? Being knowledgeable of the whole tri-state area, I believe New Jersey should wear that crown….