Listen. Regardless of your circumstances, life is what you make it. We can get into some nuanced discussion about capitalism and the fall of the middle class, but unless you're Anderson Cooper, you probably won't care. The bottom line is, if you look at everything through rose-tinted glasses, you're probably going to be much happier.
Whether or not your happiness is based on complete falsehoods isn't really an issue...unless you make it one. I know many people currently living in a state of unwavering denial, and they seem pretty content.
The key to being happy is pretending you're not unhappy. Remember that next time you walk into that job you hate, converse with people you loathe, or come home to that empty apartment where you take your depression naps.