The "Generosity Index" has been widely touted as evidence that Republicans are more generous than Democrats.  (The index ranks states according to the difference between their "having rank" - rank according to average adjusted gross income, and their "giving rank" - ranking of the average charitable donations.  Many red states are at the top of the list, many blue states are at the bottom.)

I don't dispute the results (though the analysis is less than rigorous).  Though many find the results counter-intuitive (liberals are supposed to be bleeding-hearts, and conservatives greedy money-grubbers, right?) I find that the results are perfectly sensible.  Democrats fundamentally believe in solving society's problems through a centralized government (welfare, medicare, etc.).  Republicans believe in privatized solutions to society's problems.  So Republicans should give money to charitable (private) organizations, while Democrats should vote for candidates who will raise taxes (including on themselves) and solve the same problems with public funds.  "Generosity" has nothing to do with it.

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