Charity contribution differences between political lines?

[WilyWestbrook0]

This was a surprising read:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123258358706104403.html

However, it is by no means an exhaustive polling; only 1200 participants, and we don't know all the details on the participants' income.

[OnePimpTiger]

I don't think it's surprising at all. It's an all too common misconception that because conservatives don't favor government social programs that we are against helping the less fortunate. There are many conservatives who feel very strongly about helping the less fortunate and giving to charity, they just feel that it should be done from one's own heart and not forced by the government. A lot of that is derived from the terrible religious right because personal charity is stressed greatly in religion. So that part is no surprise at all to me.

I don't know the reasoning as to why liberals give less and reduce giving faster, but obviously they don't always put their money where their mouths are. That's really not that surprising either if you look at the poster people of left, actors, musicians, etc. It's all well and good to promote and fund raise for charity, as long as it doesn't actually interfere with their lives.

[gatorboymike]

They got those results because conservatives donate to churches and lobby groups that try to force prayer and creationism into public schools. You don't see them donating toward hurricane relief. Or sometimes you do, and then they keep the money for themselves and spend it on drugs and beer, as was the case with three fraternities at my school after Katrina.