In his New York Times column today Nick Kristof talks about Arthur C. Brooks book Who really Cares. The book contends that by all measures that conservatives tend to be more charitable with their money than liberals.
Arthur Brooks, the author of a book on donors to charity, “Who Really Cares,” cites data that households headed by conservatives give 30 percent more to charity than households headed by liberals. A study by Google found an even greater disproportion: average annual contributions reported by conservatives were almost double those of liberals.
A lot of this has to do with religion. Brooks study concludes religious Americans tend to be more generous than secular ones. There is one question that I would have on the subject myself. What is the source of the data?
As I haven’t read the book I can’t say but I know for myself I never claim any of my charitable deductions on my taxes even though I itemize my taxes. If I’m giving I’m giving I don’t need a tax break to do it. I don’t know how many other people think this way.
That’s why I always wince when people use tax returns to say “Oh this guy is stingy.” unless we know if they are claiming their gifts we don’t know.
In the end looking at what other people do is just fuel for pride. If you want to give; give. Don’t worry about what other people are doing.
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