Jewish World Review Dec. 9, 2005 / 8 Kislev, 5766
Michael Medved
Only generous with tax money
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com |
A Massachusetts group called The Catalogue for Philanthropy just released its 2005 "Generosity Index" comparing each state's ability to give (in terms of average adjusted gross income) with the percentage of taxpayers who actually report charitable donations.
The results reveal a stunning political pattern: all 25 of the most generous states are red states that gave their electoral support to President Bush.
But of the bottom 12 the stingiest states of them all in terms of charity 11 of 12 are blue states that backed John Kerry with Massachusetts itself second to the bottom.
The reason GOP states are so much more generous is both obvious and profound: conservatives view compassion as a personal responsibility, but liberals tend to see it as the government's job.
One approach leads to individual commitment, while the other encourages the belief you can best help others by leaving it up to tax collectors and bureaucrats.
Appreciate this writer's work? Why not sign-up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor, author and film critic
Michael Medved hosts a daily three-hour radio talk show broadcast in more than 120 cities throughout the United States. Comment by clicking here.
Michael Medved Archives
© 2005, Michael Medved
|