This is Life!: Revolutions Around the Cruciform Axis: So, Red State Moral Values Don't Include the Poor? Hmmmm . . . Here's the Generosity Index. Wanna Rethink That?

November 12, 2004

So, Red State Moral Values Don't Include the Poor? Hmmmm . . . Here's the Generosity Index. Wanna Rethink That?

According to the Catalogue for Philanthrophy's national Generosity Index 2004: (2002 US State Data): The top twenty-five generous states are all red states. New York bumps in at 26 (but New York state is pretty red). After California comes in at 29, the blue states start picking up steam.

What's the least generous state? New Hampshire, followed by, yup, Massachusetts at 49.

Now, I'm not suggesting that blue states are not concerned about the poor. Rather, I'm suggesting, as I have for some time, that red staters prefer to give personally and locally and not have the government do it for them. Red staters don't advocate for government help for the poor. But that doesn't mean they aren't concerned for the poor. Rather, they help the poor in, what they may well argue are, more efficient ways, through personal and local contact.

In the interest of full disclosure, I quote the Index on its methodology:

As we have said from the outset, the Generosity Index is a "crude but telling" indicator; it is not scientific (e.g., economics, sociology) but it is educational, and specifically for donor education. It tells people roughly where they stand in comparison with their peers in other communities, in the relation between their respective ranks in income and in charitable giving. By doing so it raises the level of public discussions of charitable giving, in ways that are strategically useful.

Posted by Clifton at November 12, 2004 12:22 PM | TrackBack

Comments

This is a great post. Honestly. I have to say, however, that I want to push it in one or two other directions. And these are questions for ALL of us.

How effective is the giving? For example, does Welfare work? No. So we get rid of it. But what does work? The giving is great, but is the need greater?

I plead ignorance here, but I know that Mississippi is a very poor state. Not that I blame them for their poverty, but how might Mississippi's plight be ameliorated.

Also, do the "red states" have any action against systemic problems that oppress the poor? Jennifer posted this article that has me thinking.

http://www.christiancentury.org/feat_09.html

Now, I say thinking because there are no decisions here.

We spoke about Ben's article the other day. And you and I spoke of the liberal pessimism (sp) in the car a month ago. Somhow they are tied but my brain stopped working hours ago.

Oy.

Peace.

Posted by: AngloBaptist at November 12, 2004 03:31 PM

I don't see in the detail where it says the givers were mostly Republican. I may have missed it, though.

Posted by: Rex at November 12, 2004 06:54 PM

It's not a Republican/Democrat divide, but a red state/blue state divide (which does not necessarily align with party lines).

Posted by: Clifton D. Healy at November 12, 2004 08:05 PM

Then let me spin the data! Bwahahahahaaaa!

Those wealthy Republicans in the Red states sit on their collective arses or gove to private Universities while the po' folk take care of their own, don't vote and seldom have anything trickle down their way.

Good morning. Just my punchy senselessness.

Posted by: AngloBaptist at November 13, 2004 08:40 AM

What constitutes charitable giving? I know for many Christians, it is simply tithing to church. The red states might simply be the most generous if they have the most church goers who tithe and report it as charitable giving... If it is to churches, then how is the church doing in taking care of the poor? I don't think that a church "tithe" is the most efficient way of helping the poor.

I would be curious to know where all this generosity actually found it's home. Was it in actually helping the poor? Unfortunately, I don't think we can say that all charitable giving, goes to help "the poor." Especially when it is given to great causes like MADD, or to the Human Fund.

Posted by: John at November 13, 2004 11:42 PM

According to the site, it's based off of what is considered charitable from IRS filings.

For example, if I gave my old car to the Goodwill due to me not being able to sell it, I could write that off as charitable on my form and get a deduction.

Posted by: Rex at November 14, 2004 05:51 AM

John:

I'm sorry that you haven't seen good and efficient example of churches helping the poor.

I'd like to introduce you to my home parish. We're not necessarily worthy to receive any humanitarian awards, but we put our money and our donations where the gospel is.

Posted by: Clifton D. Healy at November 14, 2004 12:03 PM