Readers weigh in

Are conservatives really more generous? We asked readers of Huckleberries Online (www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/hbo) to share their thoughts on the issue.

“The lower classes definitely give more, on average, than the upper classes as far as percentage of income goes. Not even close, actually.”

– Greg

“Why not step back a bit and ask these questions:

“Why is charity automatically associated with good behavior?

“Why is charity still needed in the 21st century?

“Why is charity still needed in the country with the most expensive government on Earth?

Is it right to expect people with more money to give to charity?

Here is my personal opinion – I would prefer that the problems addressed through charity be addressed through better government. I also get very annoyed when people automatically expect other people to just give away their money.”

– LukeB

“I would not be called a conservative. But I do give … I give to students for books, I give to local charities. And I don’t put it on my taxes. I feel if I give … I give. That is the end of it. No credit, no tax write off.”

– Cis

“I get annoyed when people think taxes and bureaucracies are the best way to be ‘charitable.’

For instance, how many people here were pleased with FEMA and the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina?

Compare that with the speedy and effective response by religious charities.

Our family sets aside 10% off the top for charity. That account is used for effective charities (not top-heavy or bureaucratic) or for helping local people as well as our church.”

– Cabbage Boy

“Don’t forget that when it comes to charity, time is money. Volunteering time to a charitable organization can be just as valuable as cash. Perhaps liberals don’t have as much extra cash to give, so they give their time by participating in charitable activities. On the other hand, for many conservatives the solution is to write a fat check. Ultimately, each is just as good for the charity itself.”

– OrangeTV

“In our family it’s the complete reverse … I am prone to give to charity and I tend to lean left; my wife cringes every time I give and she is conservative. I guess it’s just what you value. If giving makes you feel good you’ll give regardless of your political leaning, if it makes you nervous to give up what you have worked for, you won’t give.”

– idawa

“It’s exogenous motivation vs. endogenous. Conservatives give because it gives them something to brag about on the golf course or at cocktail parties … They feel less guilty about piggish rooting at the trough of capitalism where they consume a disproportionate share of the wealth.

Liberals do it from their hearts, from genuine caring about the less fortunate, the downtrodden, those denied the great American dream for no fault of their own. Liberals attribute good works to an internal locus of control and will populate the very clouds of heaven due to their guileless giving and unconditional positive regard.”

– RSPA

“My favorite one-liner that fits here. ‘How do you tell the difference between a liberal and a conservative?’

‘That’s easy … Conservatives give away their OWN money.’ “

– bayviews

“I believe that it’s a sorry commentary on the state of our nation that we have allowed ourselves to become so divided as a people that we feel the need to categorize everything, by left/right, liberal/conservative, or Republican/Democrat. I’m not sure how one would, or could, accurately measure whether conservatives or liberals give more to charitable causes, but of more importance, I believe, is: Does it even matter?

Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated into believing that one group is good, while the other one must be bad? Can’t we just acknowledge that we are sometimes different? And sometimes the same? Good people can have opposing views on a subject, but when we allow that difference to grow into the demonization of the other side we do everyone a disservice.”

– Thom George