"Stingy," was what the UN deputy Secretary General called Americans for our response to the Asian tsunami a few years ago. His comparison conveniently ignored our private contributions, which dwarf anything governments have to offer, especially in Red States. (It also ignored the fact that the US Navy was the only instrument delivering anything approaching actual aid, as opposed to notional aid, which consists of meetings about aid rather than aid itself.)
So it should be a matter of concern when the Colorado Non-Profit Association issues a report claiming large declines in Colorado's charitable giving between 2005 and 2006. The average family's charitable giving declined from $4075 to $4046.
But what goes unmentioned is that, according to the Tax Foundation, the average per capita state and local tax burden rose from 3.1% to 3.4%, and from $3815 to $4185, more than 10 times the putative decline in giving. The idea that Coloradoans might, in part, have been giving less voluntarily because they were giving more mandatorily doesn't seem to have occurred to anyone.
There are also significant methodological questions. They claim that Colorado has the 5th highest income, adjusted for cost of living, in the country. But when I use the BEA's personal income numbers,adjusted by the same state Cost of Living Index they use, Colorado comes in 15th, not 5th.
The study fails to account for volunteer hours contributed. It's understandable that an organization that defines well-being at least in part by how many paid staff they can afford to hire, would minimize the contributions of volunteers.
The Denver Post's story asks none of these questions, and completely ignores the tax issue and the relevant methodological issues, instead amounting to a press release for the state's non-profits. Since they tend to support any change in tax policy which allows them to lobby a few state officals rather than compete for fundaising among the state's citizenry, this report and article will almost certainly be cited as the basis for further proposed tax increases.
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Interesting. I've seen
Sun, 12/07/2008 - 23:21 ET by RR GOPInteresting. I've seen the reports that show that conservatives are more charitable than liberals. Not to mention all the tithes they give to their churches, as well as bequeathing their property and assets to their churches so that they can support charity and missionary work.
But, note that many liberals brag about how they sent Barack Obama's campaign every nickel they could scrounge up. But, at the same time, how poor they are because of "Bush's failed economic policies."
Have these types always been in our country, or is this a fairly recent phenomenon?
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Better than the Bidens
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 00:05 ET by BW222According to IRS records, the Bidens give less tham $1,000 a year.
BW222
CO trying to go Blue
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 00:12 ET by legacyrepublicanWadda ya expect. Dems are trying to make it a blue state which means it will become stingy.
If you want to see increasing gift giving, go Red!
Population Shift
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 19:56 ET by River CityColorado is in the midst of a population shift. Lots of people from the left coast moving in and turning it blue. It is aslo becoming more urban which affects the blueness of a state. Iowa is going through a similar process. Iowa City and Des Moines are expolding in population and libs who are either working for the state or for companies that leach off the tax payers.
"Money is the scourge of the men who attempt to reverse the law of causality--the men who seek to replace the mind by seizing the products of the mind." Ayn Rand
Not surprised
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 07:17 ET by WorriedNow that the Rocky Mountain News is up for sale like so many others, Colorado will be left with one newspaper: the liberal Denver Post. I dumped the RMN but still get it for some unknown reason and on Sunday both papers are combined. In the DPS on Sunday they have their Perspective section where op-ed pieces are posted as well as letters from readers. This is where you see their slant and the slant of many of their readers/writers. So it is not surprising the DPS ragged on donors to charities. Maybe they should realize that most of the morons in Colorado that voted for the candidate they endorsed, Obama (the Obama/Biden/Change bumperstickers are still everywhere) don't donate to charity because they never did in the first place and those that did have lost their jobs!
Denver Post..
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 12:32 ET by 007datkaRocky Mountan News and Denver Post are under same ownet, so dont get to happy. I went to tearly Colorado Awards Celebration, that is why I know about.
It is no different. They charge so much for just a simple add in theat N.Paper and even for N.Paper. More and more people stup subscrybing. They are telling Us for who we should vote, give money and monet for schools, and that is what the are doing. Lying every day, and people are buying their lies!!!
Historic levels of charity...
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 07:45 ET by SaluteThe USA gives and has given for decades more than any other nation or people. The U.N. criticizes the U.S. for being "stingy"? The longer we let these third world yahoos push us, the more disgusted I am with anything U.N. BTW, where was all the Islamic nations helping hands just after the tsunami? Crickets.....
I yam what I yam....Popeye.
Why we stay involved with
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 11:36 ET by Clear thinkerWhy we stay involved with the UN is an absolute mystery to me. We pick up the largest tab to keep it operating and yet it's main goal seems to be to crush us.
I can suggest a government works program for Obama, tear down the UN in NYC brick by brick using only American labor.
The Left Still Hating Gov. Sarah Palin
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
and more...
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 12:43 ET by 007datkaWhy anyone hate Sarah, She didnt do anything to be hate.. Hate those who are sitting in OUR Government for a life time and sure dont care about people like US. All they see is MONEY, not US and people are still voting for them. We dont have young and good people to and we are to lazy to listen to them and help them to take over those above corrupted and filthy rich old politicians!!! Not very many people are paying attention to what RON PAUL is telling US, even Kucinic, but why,??? because their look, because they are not so wealthy, no, because Press lies about them, and we are not using OUR common sense!
and more...
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 12:35 ET by 007datkaOUR money, now going to bail-out, all CEOs in USA.Pork programs added to give some people like Pelosi husband over 100 thousand to His private bussiness. Just look who is driving DNC!!!
FACT: Conservative give more to charities than liberals
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 07:49 ET by PopularTechMyth: Who Really Helps Charities (Video) (3min) (John Stossel, 20/20)
Are Americans Cheap? (John Stossel, Capitalism Magazine)
Censored Global Warming Videos
Just simple propaganda
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 11:27 ET by JohnMcGrewJust as the left remains blissfully ignorant about the effect of higher taxes upon economic growth, they too fail to grasp the inverse relationship between taxation, government largesse, and charitable giving. To conservatives, there’s no wonder as to why we give so much more than the captive citizens of the more socialized nations; It’s more difficult to be charitable when the state is taking most of your money. And socialism breeds contempt for charity on the part of individuals since it’s assumed that it’s the state’s responsibility to pay for all problems. After all, that’s why you’re paying high taxes.
No, the real agenda is that problem with private charity is that it is not directed as the left would like to see it directed. Since conservatives donate more than liberals, it should be obvious that charities with more conservative values get more money than liberal ones do. Of course, liberals see this as unfair. Such money would be much better spent by a vast bureaucracy overseen by well-trained (and paid) professionals trained at liberal universities that know better how to direct resources than volunteer rubes who do the same jobs merely for personal satisfaction.
As for the complaints about America’s generosity (or perceived lack of it) after the tsunami a few years back: A classic example of the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of socialized Europe. Of course they ignore the value of the donations of private Americans and the cost of America’s military infrastructure that made the whole relief effort even possible. When the true value of America’s contribution to the world is calculated for what it actually is, socialized Europe should be positively embarrassed.
generosity..
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 12:25 ET by 007datkawhat about those illegals, who are overtakin OUR construction jobs, free ride on health care. Every plACE WE GO, , TACO BELL AVERYWERE WE SEE THOSE ILLEGALS, EVEN IN STATE JOBS. They work for Contractors, and we have a lot of problems with sloppy jobs done on our highways and Our homes.
What You think about California, that is why California is 11 billions behind, and who is paying for,??? people like US, USA Citizen and Permanent Residents!!!
Coloradan are stingy??
Mon, 12/08/2008 - 12:18 ET by 007datkaReferendum C , approve by naive and sense less voters of Colorado, stripp US from 6.1 billons for 5 years, now OUR Government is trying to keep this referendu alife, thats mean that we wont get nothing in return"OUR TAXES". Now cuurent Governor is pushing for new programs, evet to tax Disability recepients,and other crap.He promise to US , that if He became to be OUR Governor, Unions will have more power, as sonn He become Governor of Colorado, He change His mind. Properties taxes are so high, tha just blaming Banks for stealing from US, is just pureli a BIG LIE!!! Property Taxes are killing all suburbs, exp. Denver. People are paying 2000-7000 yearly, just in Denver suburbs on top of loan payment.
So, Denver Post can go to hell, or start writing what they are for, THE TRUTH and nothing but TRUTH. Even people i Wyoming and other States around Colorado, are making more money then Coloradans. So, we dont have to much to share anymore. Sorry, but not sorry!