I do not trust Kristof's statistical analysis on this one. I think he needs a couple of additional analyses and opinions here.

Insightful opinion that challenges the common perception that liberals are more charitable than conservatives. The author provides factual evidence from multiple sources to support his point, which seems well reasoned, with good context to explain some of the nuances behind the raw data.

A refreshingly honest assessment of the facts regarding charitable donations--liberals who vote for measures dispensing public funds (read funds collected through taxation) tend to feel that they have already "given at the office". and are thus disinclined to part with more of their personal funds. A more relevant tfocus might be an assessment ,not just of the dollar amount of liberal/conservative donations, but their relative effectiveness. The question becomes, "Dollar-for-dollar do carefully targeted personal donations on the part of conservatives do more good than liberal-supported dispensations of public monies?"

The author does a good job of naming sources, presenting statistics in context and along ehe way dispells common misbeliefs. A very timely article.

In contrasting the giving levels of liberals vs. conservatives it would seem to be a serious omission not to include in the equation the income levels of the compared groups in order to give an accurate picture of who is able to give. For example: did "conservatives" as a group have more disposable income (as compared to "liberals") at the time this article was written therefore giving them the ability to donate more? That kind of a question is not answered in this story.

Caution: WARNING! WARNING! "L" word used in introductory paragraph! Be on the lookout for conservative and/or conservative thought process! My first question upon reading this piece is this: When was the last time my politics was brought into question when I donated money, time, clothing, food or toys, to the poor, which my family does on a regular basis? Who among us was ever asked our political leanings when donating time at a soup kitchen or helping our church or community group assistt the poor? Answer: Never. Result: instant invalidation of author's premise. We do not know the politics of charitable donors, nor should we. Charity, be it any denomination or persuasion is a personal devotion of time or money that has ... More »