Weapons of Mass Discussion - TROLLS wll NOT be tolerated. Period.
Hey, the link didn't work, but I think I've read the piece--the one where it is shown that conservatives are more generous with donations? Two observations: when you control for religion, this effect tends to disappear, and second, there probably is some truth to this. The state is much larger as a percentage of the economy in Western Europe and they have much less private philanthropy there. I don't think, though, that if you look at the people who are in direct care provision to the poor, you will find more conservatives than liberals. Most of the people who work at homeless shelters and clinics for the poor that I know are liberals, although not all. And of course, some of the liberals are people of VERY strong religious faith, but take the social gospel of Jesus very seriously. So I don't think it is very fair for you to say about "liberals" that they do nothing about poverty, and just complain and blame. If all the liberals vanished tomorrow, who would be giving the homeless food, and the mentally ill assistance? I'm not saying the numbers are wrong--I'm sure conservatives give more to charity, I've seen similar numbers. Just your interpretation of the numbers...
We arent? Matt how dare you deviate from the common thought on this!
well first I dont care it is fair. Second if all the liberals disappeared I am trying to think of why that would be a bad thing? Third I am just putting this up for discussion, making a point that perception is not always reality. Fifth not all the people who give the homeless food and take care of the mentally ill are liberals. i do a ton of vounteer work as Matt can attest to. Fifth I cant insert a link very well.
Wait, Sean--you don't know one liberal you would miss if they all disappeared? I have many conservative friends and family who I would miss if they all disappeared. Are all liberals utterly useless to society, parasites on the body of the nation? Really?
I didn't say that all the people who work for the poor are liberals. I said, in my experience, and in that of many other folks, many of those who do ARE liberals. You said LIBERALS don't do anything. I pointed out that a lot of liberals do an awful lot. You might enjoy Tempting Faith, a book by a conservative born again Christian, David Kuo, who joined the Bush admin hoping that they cared about poverty, and were willing to use tax breaks for middle class people to encourage donations. Turns out that was all sacrificed for tax cuts for the wealthy, they never ended up helping all the mid-income baptists and Catholics and Mormons who tithe. But he points out in the book that the more he got involved in charities, the more he realized how many liberals were there, staffing the places.
But seriously--Sean--do you really HATE all liberals, to the extent that you would be fine if they all vanished? That sounds pretty...extremist.
Now come on I am just starting a discussion. I dont hate any liberals actually. I dont hate people.
And yes i do sound extremist
Thx Matt
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