Liberals ought to be more optimistic about opportunities for success in the U.S.

"If these factors [of one's environment] have always had negative consequences for an individual, it is only logical that they develop a negative - a pessimistic, or even cynical - worldview." Regardless of what is responsible for the formation of one's attitude, it does not change my point that attitudes can be changed with the proper influence. "Even if pessimism and optimism is a function of attitude and not temperament, there is scientifically no reason for supporting one position or the other." I think most would take this claim for granted based on our own personal experiences in a variety of areas (career, sports, dating, etc.) that there is a strong correlation between positive thinking and success. But if you need scientific research to back it up, I'd recommend the work of Dr. Martin Seligman who has done much research and written many books on the subject. http://en.wikipedia.org... "Whether or not this person or that person thinks that they will or will not succeed is irrelevant of the reality of any particular situation and its eventual outcome." With this statement you're basically saying that if a person walks into a job interview beaming of confidence and optimism because he thinks he will succeed, he will not (in most cases) have an advantage over one who shows signs of pessimism and the resulting lack of confidence. I (and I'm sure most readers) would strongly disagree. Common sense and personal experience suggest otherwise. Also, you have offered no evidence to support your claim that there is no relationship between the way one thinks and the way he performs. Links to additional studies supporting my claims to the contrary can be found here: http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu... "It is possible that a relentlessly optimistic person may continue through a multitude of failures until his optimism is fulfilled, or on the other hand, until he is broken and becomes a pessimist, whereas the pessimist who was more qualified got the job in the first place. Optimism is not what is called for to overcome this, it is perseverance, a fully different quality...." Perseverance is a product of one's endurance. Again, common sense dictates that people are less likely to endure multiple attempts at progress if they see little or no hope for success. It requires great endurance and the optimism from which it results to persevere. Your 1st round claim that "In the game of life, a man can only lose so many hands before he begins to think that losing is the natural consequence of his playing" suggest the relationship between optimism (or lack of) and endurance. "I also do not hold that liberals in general hold a pessimistic attitude. It is your observation that they are pessimistic, while it is my observation that they are simply realistic." Pessimistic and realistic attitudes are not mutually exclusive of one another. In other words, if you are correct that liberals are realistic, it does not disqualify them from being pessimistic. Pessimism is the quality of having a negative expectation of outcome, regardless of whether said expectation is a realistic one. "pessimism may even be the most rational view to hold, except possibly cynicism." It certainly may, but we are only arguing whether such a view would be beneficial or detrimental to success. In closing, I believe my argument is anchored by two important points which my opponent has not adequately disputed: 1) Liberals are typically pessimistic in their attitudes toward opportunities for success in the U.S. 2) An attitude of pessimism is typically disadvantageous in summoning the courage, confidence and endurance required to make success most likely.