Socialism discourages charity

Michael Medved just wrote an article that was e-mailed by Beyond the News. I am quoting his article from the mail below. His article speaks directly to one of my beliefs about taxation, charity, and the left. I have long held that socialism, and government programs for the poor actually depresses charity. Why give to anyone if the government is going to tax you heavily and redistribute your wealth to all the individuals and causes the governmnet sees fit? I posit that if we are allowed to keep our own earnings, we will end up giving more in charity than the government currently takes from us.

Medved's article:

A Massachusetts group called The Catalogue for Philanthropy just released its 2005 "Generosity Index"--comparing each state's ability to give (in terms of average adjusted gross income) with the percentage of taxpayers who actually report charitable donations. The results reveal a stunning political pattern: all 25 of the most generous states are red states that gave their electoral support to President Bush.But of the bottom 12--the stingiest states of them all in terms of charity--11 of 12 are blue states that backed John Kerry--with Massachusetts itself second to the bottom.The reason GOP states are so much more generous is both obvious and profound: conservatives view compassion as a personal responsibility, but liberals tend to see it as the government's job. One approach leads to individual commitment, while the other encourages the belief you can best help others by leaving it up to tax collectors and bureaucrats.



Medved's citation of the report is very telling. I'd wager that those red/Republican states have lower tax rates and less regulation, thereby giving the citizens more money to spend. I'd also wager that those State governments have fewer social programs and less wealth redistribution. If this is the case, I'd argue that the lack of forced State charity returns incentives to the default: a greater outpouring of the heart. One can then argue that government regulation and taxation hardens citizens' hearts, makes them more cynical.

Once again, the report Medved cites shows the government creates a floor for human behavior rather than encouraging man to reach his potential.

So, leftists, put your money where you mouth is. If you desire the greatest wealth redistribution, the strongest safety-net for the poor, LOWER taxation, END regulation, and END social programs. At least TRY this approach for a little while and see if your goals are not met.