Gene Frenkle Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 That's bull ****. I know plenty of selfish, self-centered Democrats and Republicans. Selfish people are selfish. I'd say that the Republicans/Conservative ideology is selfish by definition, in the purest sense of the word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Frenkle Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Arthur Brooks, the author of a book on donors to charity, “Who Really Cares,” cites data that households headed by conservatives give 30 percent more to charity than households headed by liberals. A study by Google found an even greater disproportion: average annual contributions reported by conservatives were almost double those of liberals. Really? The people making most of the money are giving more to charity than those struggling to make ends meet? That's amazing. Of course, what you're really talking about are tax write-offs. If guilt-driven charity is enough, why are we even having this conversation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepthefaith Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 I'd say that the Republicans/Conservative ideology is selfish by definition, in the purest sense of the word. There is nothing selfish about the principles of self sufficiency and personal responsibility. There is also nothing selfish about people keeping the fruits of their labor or the equal opportunity to succeed or to fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 I don't disagree with any of that. I simply stop way short of where most Conservatives line up on how far we should go with these programs. No matter what the system, a certain percentage of people will abuse it. That doesn't mean the system is bad as a whole. This is a falacious argument, because empirical evidence will show that "certain percentage" will be a high number. Everything in the world revolves around the Pareto distribution. Always has, always will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 I'd say that the Republicans/Conservative ideology is selfish by definition, in the purest sense of the word. I've figured out how to take care of myself financially just so you don't have to. See I'm not selfish, I did it all for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Really? The people making most of the money are giving more to charity than those struggling to make ends meet? That's amazing. Of course, what you're really talking about are tax write-offs. If guilt-driven charity is enough, why are we even having this conversation? So to recap: You: Republicans are selfish and hate helping people. Me: Actually, republicans are more charitable than liberals by over 30%. You: Of course they are...they have all the money, they're guilty and they need tax write-offs. Me: So charity on behalf of liberals is more sincere and real because they don't need tax write offs and have no guilt? Really? REALLY? Someone tell Conner to polish up the tiara while Frenkle measures his noggin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WisconsinBillzFan Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Me: Actually, republicans are more charitable than liberals by over 30%. Why would liberals give to charity the "hard earned" money they've received through government handouts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murra Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 So to recap: You: Republicans are selfish and hate helping people. Me: Actually, republicans are more charitable than liberals by over 30%. You: Of course they are...they have all the money, they're guilty and they need tax write-offs. Me: So charity on behalf of liberals is more sincere and real because they don't need tax write offs and have no guilt? Really? REALLY? Someone tell Conner to polish up the tiara while Frenkle measures his noggin. Breaking it down so simply only conveniences your idea, which is a really really selfish move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murra Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Why would liberals give to charity the "hard earned" money they've received through government handouts? Wait...so if you just like...sign up for the democrat party, you automatically get a government handout? I thought you said only blacks get government handouts, not all donating liberals. You really threw me for a curve-ball on that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pBills Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Holy shite. I'm no bleeding heart liberal, though I certainly lean to the left. The thing about Republicans is that they're selfish. You can't adopt that kind of mentality without being completely self-centered and having an utter lack of empathy toward the plight of less fortunate people. Every man for himself. That said, neither extreme is very appealing. One shouldn't strive to rely on others if they are able to take care of themselves. At the same time, these self-proclaimed Christians should be the last people to turn their backs on their fellow man. In the end, it's the utter hypocrisy and backward-thinking of the Republican party that really tips the scales for me. Well put. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whateverdude Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Well put. How is taking something to give to someone else charity ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Frenkle Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 I must have hit a nerve or three to get so many indignant responses. All ya'll can justify it however you want. You obvious already have lots invested in your rationalizations. Nothing is so black-and-white of course. This was more of a response-in-kind to the extreme righty circle jerk that was in progress. LABillz gets to eat the cookie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pBills Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 How is taking something to give to someone else charity ? I said well put mainly to the bolded areas of this statement Holy shite. I'm no bleeding heart liberal, though I certainly lean to the left. The thing about Republicans is that they're selfish. You can't adopt that kind of mentality without being completely self-centered and having an utter lack of empathy toward the plight of less fortunate people. Every man for himself. That said, neither extreme is very appealing. One shouldn't strive to rely on others if they are able to take care of themselves. At the same time, these self-proclaimed Christians should be the last people to turn their backs on their fellow man. In the end, it's the utter hypocrisy and backward-thinking of the Republican party that really tips the scales for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary M Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 At the same time, these self-proclaimed Christians should be the last people to turn their backs on their fellow man. Charity should not be a government program. How it should work. I see a person in need and hand them $10 they get $10. How it does work. The Government sees a needy person and takes $10 from me. Pays the collection staff $2 Pays the gevernment contractor $2 to process the paper work Pays themselves $2 Pays the delivery person $2 Gives the needy person $2 Which way works better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Frenkle Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Charity should not be a government program. How it should work. I see a person in need and hand them $10 they get $10. How it does work. The Government sees a needy person and takes $10 from me. Pays the collection staff $2 Pays the gevernment contractor $2 to process the paper work Pays themselves $2 Pays the delivery person $2 Gives the needy person $2 Which way works better? The first way of course, provided needs are met strictly through charity. Talk about fairies and unicorns... Incidentally, any private charity that you may decide to contribute to has the EXACT same issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdnlng Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 I've figured out how to take care of myself financially just so you don't have to. See I'm not selfish, I did it all for you. Yes, I'm a Robert Ringer disciple. I think "Looking Out For # One" is a noble endeavor. I believe that if I take care of myself you won't have to take care of me. On the other hand, the Frenkles and pBill seem to look forward to their next SSI cost of living increase while complaining about standing in line for their allotment of government cheese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Miner Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 The first way of course, provided needs are met strictly through charity. Talk about fairies and unicorns... Incidentally, any private charity that you may decide to contribute to has the EXACT same issues. If you're paying to a charity that's only 20% efficient with your money, you're paying to the wrong charity. I want to say (without double checking my numbers) that most good charities run at 80%+ efficiency with your money. I'm sure someone will correct my estimate shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdnlng Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 The first way of course, provided needs are met strictly through charity. Talk about fairies and unicorns... Incidentally, any private charity that you may decide to contribute to has the EXACT same issues. Proof? Link? Do you have anything here or are you just running at the mouth and making up more "facts"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Frenkle Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Yes, I'm a Robert Ringer disciple. I think "Looking Out For # One" is a noble endeavor. I believe that if I take care of myself you won't have to take care of me. On the other hand, the Frenkles and pBill seem to look forward to their next SSI cost of living increase while complaining about standing in line for their allotment of government cheese. Blow me. I work hard, am very good at my job and have a solid career with a bright future. I've never taken unemployment, even when I was briefly unemployed in 2001. I do, however, realize that not everyone is like me and that the world does not begin and end with me. I can't seem to rationalize simply looking out for #1, and that's where my godless morals kick in and we drift apart in our worldviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finknottle Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Incidentally, any private charity that you may decide to contribute to has the EXACT same issues. I'll remember that next time I'm about to give money to a homeless person. This reminds me of why I stopped giving to PBS. They lead you to believe that you are contributing to save the programming you like. Maybe it is something non-political like Dr Who. But they take your money and use it to support politically-charged programing like Frontline instead. Your show doesn't stay on if it merely pays for itself, it has to be a cash-cow for things you may not support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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