That is the title of a book by Arthur C. Brooks that came out a bit ago about the giving habits of Liberal and Conservative Americans. Republicans have typically been called cold and heartless by Democrats. Most Liberals truly believe they care more about needy people but if you read this book you’ll find out they only care when it’s not their money.
In summary Conservatives actually give more money and blood and Liberals volunteer more time. It seems the Liberals believe that taking money out of your pocket and giving it to the needy is much better than taking it out of their own. I don’t know how else to explain it but here’s a link to an excerpt from the book.
This of course does not apply to all Liberals and Conservatives but it’s certainly interesting that the bad rap we’ve gotten isn’t deserved.
There might be some relation to the fact that wealthier people are statistically more likely to be Republican and so they might have more money to give, whereas poorer people are more likely to be liberal with more time to give.
Or is it an unsubstantiated opinion that wealthier people are more conservative and more likely to be Republican?
Comment by Daryl — Friday March 28, 2008 @ 5:51 pm
Well it’s a % of income so no, your idea doesn’t work.
I also don’t know if your theory is correct but I can think of a LOT of rich people who are Liberal. Soros, almost everyone in Hollywood, Kerry, Gore, the list goes one. There are a lot of rich Republicans but I’ve never seen the stats.
Comment by Don — Friday March 28, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
According to the quote from the book you linked to above: …liberal families earned an average of 6 percent more per year than conservative families, and conservative families gave more than liberal families within every income class, from poor to middle class to rich..
So it looks like I was wrong thinking that conservatives were wealthier, assuming his statistics are correct..
Maybe Liberals think it is the role of government to take care of the needy, while Conservatives think it is up to individuals…? Just throwing out ideas.
Comment by Daryl — Friday March 28, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
Your last paragraph hits the nail on the head. Liberals believe it is the governments job. I’m pretty sure you won’t find it the Constitution though.
One story I read reported that Gore gave about 1/6 the norm yet felt he was helping the needy because he voted for so many entitlements. In other words he helps by giving my money and yours to the needy.
Comment by Don — Friday March 28, 2008 @ 9:25 pm