More generous side? Does it matter?

I have never met Ms. Priscilla Weese, but I am sure she is charming, intelligent and committed. I enjoy her letters. However, I will caution her about her recent letter definitively stating that conservatives are more generous than liberals.

In spite of the book published by Arthur Brooks, the peer review of science does not regard this as a settled scientific fact, I think I heard Ms. Weese use that term for “man made global warming.” Mr. Brooks, of the American Enterprise Institute, used the “Red State/Blue State” criteria along with the “Generosity Index” and tax information to arrive at his conclusion.

The bottom line is that other studies have dissected the “Generosity Index” and the itemized tax returns information used by Brooks and suggested that the results are murky.

When the same information is viewed in light of comparable cost of living, the differences between San Francisco giving and North Dakota giving melt mostly away. It may be very true that conservatives are more generous than liberals. We don’t know. And really what difference will it make?

The problem with these ideologically inspired books is that both sides are invited to pick up the claims that support their beliefs and use it as a weapon against the other side. When not using the info as a weapon, it is comforting to look in the mirror and behold themselves as the pure misunderstood victim.

I would like to thank all citizens in our community that give to charity and encourage them to continue. The need is there and charity is not a team sport.

Patrick Cleary

Wheaton