Comments on: Charity Begins at Home

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:10:47 +0000

There appears to be a strong linkage between the attitude that the government should take a stronger hand in redistributing wealth and the attitude that charitable giving is for somebody else not me.

Flatlander — When I lived in Germany, one of the interesting conversations I had with my German friends was on the subject of charitable giving. Having read the incessant IHT blabble on how evil the US is over the medically uninsured, they were amazed at the level of charitable giving in the US vs. Germany. Didn’t fit the “evil, selfish American” template. Such giving is almost unknown in Germany — no hospital buildings named for benefactors, no named scholarships. No charity galas, no Jerry Lewis telethon. Their attitude is the corollary to what you opined — pay that much in taxes, they have no responsibility to give. Except here, it is anticipatory — if some day your politics may hold sway, and you get to enact punitive taxes, then don’t get in the habit of giving now. When you can’t afford it later, then you won’t feel so guilty.

By: Flatlander

Flatlander — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:31:14 +0000

bb- I did notice “O’Biden” – I wasn’t sure she actually said it because it came out almost as a slip of the tongue – but I said to my wife, “did you hear that?”

The disparity in giving between conservatives and democrats overall has been studied and well-documented. I think Lex linked to that at one point. There appears to be a strong linkage between the attitude that the government should take a stronger hand in redistributing wealth and the attitude that charitable giving is for somebody else not me.

By: badbob

badbob — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:46:54 +0000

You must be Mother Theresa Liz I am sure, God bless you, but what the Palin’s gave is about 30% higher than the average for that income in 2006.

I am not disappointed in Palin at all. Think of all the kids she has vs. Michelle Obama working as a lawyer….

The O’Biden’s are beyond pathetic, the word anemic isn’t sufficient, either. Why has this comment only gotten 4 hits here? Is it because the folks that visit here we are so jaded we expect this kind of thing from Democratic national leaders? Methinks yes.

Even reflexive Obama-Biden boosters and Kool-Aid drinkers like OP and flit won’t touch it.

PS- re O’Biden- did you hear Sarah say that during the debate?

By: Byron Audler

Byron Audler — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:56:48 +0000

Wonder if this also count’s the Palin’s tithe to their church?

By: Liz

Liz — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:51:56 +0000

I’m kind of disappointed in both of them. I’ve given more than that each year, and we don’t make nearly as much money as the Palin family.

Biden’s charitable giving is truly pathetic, though. During the 1992 presidential campaign, George Bush had given a million dollars to charity in 1991..exactly and entirely every dollar he made that year.

By: Rivetjoint

Rivetjoint — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 01:18:33 +0000

Kind of like the speech “The One We’ve Been Waiting For” made about being our brother’s keeper, yet his brother George subsists in a hut in Africa on $1 a month. He must be waiting to implement some sort of taxpayer aid program for his dear brother after he assumes the throne.