The Charity Gap
posted at 9:40 am on October 4, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Yesterday, the Palins released their income tax returns for the last two years, as expected for the general election. While the returns showed the Palins to be squarely in the middle class, with income between $127,000 and $166,000 combined, they also revealed a charity gap between the two VP candidates:
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made considerably less money than rival Sen. Joe Biden, but the Palin family gave more to charity in the last two years than Biden has in the last eight combined, according to Palin’s tax records released Friday afternoon. …
In 2006, the Palins paid $11,944 in taxes on $127,869 in income. In 2007, they paid $24,738 on $166,080.
But in 2006, they donated $4,880 to charity, and in 2007, they donated $3,325.
By contrast, Biden (D-Del.), Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s running mate, has donated a total of $3,690 since 1998 despite his higher Senate salary, according to an analysis posted by National Review.
Recall what Barack Obama said in his appearance at the Saddleback Forum in August:
“Americans’ greatest moral failure in my lifetime,” he said, “has been that we still don’t abide by that basic precept in Matthew that whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.”
And what Biden claimed as the moral imperative from soaking people with higher taxes:
“Catholic social doctrine as I was taught it is, you take care of people who need the help the most.”
Once again, we see that liberals talk about charity, and conservatives take action. The Palins have been quite generous with their cash, while Biden has given far less on an annual basis with a much larger income stream. Since the two Democrats keep claiming the charitable impulse for spending other people’s money, it’s revealing to once again compare Biden’s own personal giving to his political rhetoric, and to his opponent in November.
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Liberals. *sigh*
lodge on October 4, 2008 at 9:43 AM
Nobody cares about this stuff but us, Ed. Not the liberals. Not the Idjits. Nobody.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Liberals are all about telling us what we should be doing, while doing none of which they are demanding we do.
Elitist thugs who believe the rules apply to the common folk, but not to themselves. What blows my mind, is that common folk Democrats are too stupid to see this on their own.
Keemo on October 4, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Would it be uncharitable of me to question liberal’s morals?
Bishop on October 4, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Oh, yeah…this is gonna make a huge splash in the media.
flipflop on October 4, 2008 at 9:47 AM
A simple case of “Do as I say, not as I do”.
Save the whales.
Save the trees.
Save the Polar bears.
Tax the “rich”
Where’s mine.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 4, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Hey, Obama Bin Biden–Jesus did not teach that the government should help the poor, but that individuals should.
jgapinoy on October 4, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Wouldn’t be the bipartisan thing to do, Excellency.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 9:50 AM
You save the whales
You save the seals
You save whatever’s cute & squeals,
But you kill “that thing” that’s in the womb,
Would not want no baby boom.
jgapinoy on October 4, 2008 at 9:51 AM
Hey – I’m defending Biden here
Taking all the HomeDepot employees to lunch at Katy’s restuarant wasn’t deductible
EricPWJohnson on October 4, 2008 at 9:52 AM
Reminds me of the old joke….
A Republican is walking down the street and sees a homeless man. The Repub puts his hand into his pocket and hands the homeless man a five dollar bill.
A Democrat is walking down the street and sees a homeless man. The Democrat puts his hand into the Repub’s pocket and hands the homeless man a five dollar bill.
Pianobuff on October 4, 2008 at 9:52 AM
From Steve Taylor’s CD I Want To Be A Clone.
jgapinoy on October 4, 2008 at 9:52 AM
In Obama’s New Order (O-NO)the unwashed masses will be taught the true meaning of Jesus’ words – not that stuff you read in the Bible. Jesus, afteer all, was a community organizer.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Kerry, another with “strong” Catholic values, was even worse.
Glynn on October 4, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Hey Joe, being a stingy SOB with your money is unpatriotic.
Even worse is to take OTHER people’s money and spend it so you get the credit for being generous.
You’re a big phony, Joe.
jeff_from_mpls on October 4, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Wouldn’t be the bipartisan thing to do, Excellency.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 9:50 AM
There’s that word again. Damn you, McCain.
Bishop on October 4, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Isn’t that the truth.
Glynn on October 4, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Give ‘em hell, Jeff!
*checking latest Rusmussen polls to see if Biden’s numbers went down*
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Joe just believe that charity begins at home, and also stays there.
TooTall on October 4, 2008 at 9:55 AM
As Glen Beck said on yesterday’s show.
From a historical perspective, we’re in 1860.
there it is on October 4, 2008 at 9:55 AM
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Well, talk is cheaper ya know?
javamartini on October 4, 2008 at 9:58 AM
No, no, no, Ed. To the Democrats charity means they tax your money and then they give it to those they want. It’s not about taking money out of their own wallets.
Gov. Palin needs to point out that she’s the only non-millionaire in the race.
rbj on October 4, 2008 at 9:58 AM
More like 1856. There was a buildup to the detonation in 1861. So it will be this time. I’m figuring on 2013, a year after Obama gets re-elected.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Yup…we’re pretty much screwed.
flipflop on October 4, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Barf.
Bishop on October 4, 2008 at 10:00 AM
But… how do we know the Palins are giving their own money to the right charities and not their crazy church of snake handlers?
The only way to ensure the people who really need the money get it is to have the government collect it as taxes and then redistribute it: to public broadcasting and ACORN and Planned Parenthood and…
/lib
saint kansas on October 4, 2008 at 10:01 AM
I wish the media would ask Biden about his charitable contributions (or lack of) but I just can’t bear to see him blubber again.
repvoter on October 4, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Dems: Do as I say, not as I do.
joepub on October 4, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Biden’s spin on this is that he gives cash at church and his wife does community service.
I don’t buy it. If that’s how Joe feels, then why insist paying taxes is patriotic instead of asking taxpayers to simply serve their communities?
This is how Greasy Joe became Greasy Joe.
csdeven on October 4, 2008 at 10:05 AM
But I thought the Obamunist theory was that Big Momma Gummint was gonna take care of everyone… there’s no NEED for anyone to do induhvidual contributions to charity.
Silly wabbitz.
Mark_Tampa on October 4, 2008 at 10:05 AM
It never ceases to amaze me how generous liberals are with other peoples money while being niggardly with their own. Typical
dentalque on October 4, 2008 at 10:06 AM
According to a spokesperson for Sen. Biden, he and his wife give a lot of their personal time which accounts for the difference.
Cindy Munford on October 4, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Oh, but the people will still be required to give…of their time. As “volunteers.” It will be the law under the Obama New Order.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Of course. Didn’t you folks know that St. Joseph of Delaware preaches the Gospel every night on the train from DC to his hometown?
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Interesting how quiet the trolls have become
Jamson64 on October 4, 2008 at 10:09 AM
They are truly middle class people and yet they have kind hearts. Unlike the libs.
promachus on October 4, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Not everybody deducts all they give to charity. I know I don’t. I believe Biden about giving cash at church and his wife putting in more time than money.
Here’s the thing: Biden thinks people making the kind of money he makes have more to give to the IRS.
Obama was making similar money a few years ago without being exceedingly charitable (and worrying about paying college loans).
They don’t seem to act as if they have a lot of money to just give away. Why do they think other people do?
MayBee on October 4, 2008 at 10:10 AM
It never ceases to amaze me how generous liberals are with other peoples money while being niggardly with their own. Typical
dentalque on October 4, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Easy now…I wouldn’t want to call the language police on you.
Bishop on October 4, 2008 at 10:11 AM
This says it all.
I’ll add, liberal Democrats: charitable with your money as they finance their government and nonprofit activities.
BuckeyeSam on October 4, 2008 at 10:11 AM
IIRC, don’t Biden and his wife do a lot with their time, instead of their money? I recall reading an article that pointed out that Biden makes quite a few appearances on behalf of charities and worthwhile groups/efforts in Delaware.
We might want to check into this a bit more before we exploit this meme full-bore. We don’t want a backlash that gives Biden some sympathy points.
smagar on October 4, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Smokin’ Joe thinks it’s more patriotic to pay MORE in taxes than to give to a church or rescue mission. Priorities, man.
Mark_Tampa on October 4, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I have another scripture for Senators Obama and Biden:
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matt. 15:18).
Richard Romano on October 4, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Smagar its still about the money.
Jamson64 on October 4, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Mr. Rash, this is the only kind of “poll” that can be trusted in my book.
Take heart!
Ya…I know.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 4, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I still want to know what this “charity” represents. If it’s money going to religion, it shouldn’t be called money anymore than money going to any other social club. And if Biden and other pro-choice Democratic politicians aren’t giving money to the Catholic church, I certainly wouldn’t blame them. Being insulted by the leaders of your religion is hardly conducive to donating the big bucks.
thuja on October 4, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Easy now…I wouldn’t want to call the language police on you.
Bishop on October 4, 2008 at 10:11 AM
dentalque on October 4, 2008 at 10:18 AM
We are such fools. We let Congress tax us then use our own money against us. Since when is it patriotic to take other people’s money.
Jamson64 on October 4, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Their still sleeping of the drug induced frenzy from last night.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 4, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Oops, should be this way.
Proper use of language. Look it up yourself. The language police would (hopefully) laugh at you. Language, like liberals, use it properly or be governed by the most ignorant among us.
dentalque on October 4, 2008 at 10:18 AM
dentalque on October 4, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Is that a trick question?
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 4, 2008 at 10:22 AM
No joke. In 1999, some DC city official used the word when talking to two co-workers. He received so much grief that he resigned.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E5DD1738F933A05752C0A96F958260&scp=1&sq=Niggardly%20Washington%20DC&st=cse
It means “miserly,” but it’s clearly a skunked word.
BuckeyeSam on October 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Jesus did not lobby for Caesar and the government to be “fair”,
The only one of his 12 apostles who wants to get somebody else’s money and give to the “poor” is Judas.
maynila on October 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Lefties want us to think paying taxes is like contributing to charity, since they’ll give some of our tax payments to the needy.
Even assuming for the sake of argument that the beneficiaries of my taxes are the same as my charities, still tax payments and charitable contributions are essentially opposites. One transfer is voluntary. The other is compulsory, required by the state.
Forced giving is not in any way equivalent to charitable giving. Forced giving is moral slavery.
petefrt on October 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM
What about Obama’s own brother who lives on a $1 a day in a Third World hovel?
Obama Resistance League Youth (ORLY) – fight the cool
indythinker on October 4, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I was still alive during that incident. They wanted to tar and feather that poor guy.
He never recovered from it ether.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on October 4, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Sorry, unless I see a log of Joe’s work at a soup kitchen, his “appearances on behalf of charities” is a nonstarter. He’s a politician whose career is maintaining high profile. This is part of his occupation.
I also heard some line that Biden’s contributions didn’t include amounts that they contributed to their church. I’m under the impression that churches keep fairly good records these days. I’m sorry if Joe didn’t use his envelopes. If he didn’t report it, he can’t say now that he gave it. Tough toenails.
BuckeyeSam on October 4, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Behind every “spend the public money” liberal is a niggardly checkbook.
T J Green on October 4, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Perhaps if we count the taxes, Biden comes in ahead? After all, we are using our own measure of individual responsibility, not Biden’s measure of shared responsibility. After all, one must walk a mile in someone else’s snowshoes before judging them, right?
Under Biden’s stated rules of charity, the taxes you pay count too — because giving to Caesar is giving to the Lord.
Biden owed $66,273.00 in federal tax in 2007, He paid an extra $6,514.00. Bonus question: did he donate the extra payments to the Government?
Palin owed $24,738.00 in federal tax in 2007.
By Biden’s rules, he’s far more charitable than Palin. But, also according to his rules, he falls short, since he took back the $6,514.00 rather than allowing the Government to keep it — a violation of his patriotic duty.
unclesmrgol on October 4, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Well, they only have access to a computer “at work”. Work being they are employed by Axelrod Astroturf, Inc. or they are a government employee and only have time to do it while at work. Saturday & Sunday are for sitting around smokin’ a bowl…
CC
CapedConservative on October 4, 2008 at 10:34 AM
petefrt on October 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Well said, sir!
FloridaBill on October 4, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Nope. I question their humanity all the time.
Grafted on October 4, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Biden must be thinking that since some of our taxes go to ‘common good’ things like infrastructure and defense, paying taxes is ipso facto “patriotic”.
But patriotism is an act of free will. For any act to be “patriotic’, there must be free choice. Tax payments are compulsive, required by the state. Forced patriotism is the moral servitude of totalitarianism.
petefrt on October 4, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Hey Joe, “it’s time to be patriotic … time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut.”
CP on October 4, 2008 at 10:47 AM
This charity gap fact will NEVER see the light of day. Both Obama and Biden give practically nothing to charity (except when running for president) but expect us to happily part with our income in taxes so it can be used to kill baby boys and baby girls, among other atrocities.
Mojave Mark on October 4, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I agree, esp. the last sentence. My father who is the kindest, most hardworking, logical man, is incredibly liberal, how is that possible? I guess he’s only logical till it comes to politics. I’ve decided this election I’m finally going to have to come out of the closet with my politics. I’ve been good at just avoiding politics so far, but I’ve decided to bite the bullet and just admit I’ve become a Republican. The sad thing, my mother who was always a Republican, died about 4 yrs ago, we never got along very well, and I wish she was here now to talk politics with. She’d be so happy I switched.
4shoes on October 4, 2008 at 10:48 AM
You are quite correct, but under the current Rules of Engagement, meaning is determined not by the person who expresses the idea, but by designated grievance groups. For example, a person may fly the Confederate Battle Flag to express opposition to the overreaching power of the national government, but the significance of a symbol to the person who uses that symbol is trumped by the assertion that it symbolizes racism.
Remember the McCain ad that showed 0bama standing before the cheering German crowd at the Victory Tower? Some talking head said it was a phallic symbol, used to play on fears of black male sexuality. There was another ad showing 0 in front of a crowd of people holding up the letters C H A N G E, but it was hard to see the first and last letters due to the way the shot was framed. This was portrayed as straight out of the KKK playbook; intimidating an uppity Negro with the threat of lynching. And of course, an ad juxtaposing images of Teh 0ne and Franklin Delano Raines is racist; in case you didn’t notice, they’re both BLACK!!!111eleventy
You don’t mean what you mean when you say what you say. You mean the worst possible thing someone could twist your words into meaning. Because you’re a RethugliKKKan. Is it any wonder Palin had trouble being interviewed by Inquisitors that were ready to take her words out of context, contort them into rhetorical pretzels and extract from them something with which to hang her?
The Monster on October 4, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Cool. Lets get it on.
Bush = Abe(lite)
Petraeus = Grant
Jeff Davis = ?
Benjamin9 on October 4, 2008 at 10:52 AM
You’re correct, of course. But IMO it’s useful to be clear on the differences between charity versus enforced altruism/patriotism, lest we be sucked in and intimidated by their semantic deceit.
petefrt on October 4, 2008 at 10:55 AM
You would think that they would figure this one out, eventually. That throwing $10,000 to the Salvation Army is worth $500,000 in campaign advertising. But when it comes time to write that personal check and hand over their own money, they just can’t do it.
gridlock2 on October 4, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I agree completely with your analysis, but draw a different conclusion. For me, the analysis confirms the critical importance of rejecting… at almost every opportunity… their PC skunking of our language.
Thinking is about ideas and concepts, both of which we define using words. When we let them tell us what words to use, we let them shape our thinking. Hence the poisonous effect of PC on our ethical infrastructure and our culture generally.
petefrt on October 4, 2008 at 11:11 AM
I don’t care about the charity donations between the two sides. I want the dems, and now any moron repubican that voted on the bailout – to invest their own private dollars in some of these investments that we are in now since they are such a great idea and have such great potential.
Chowderheads.
Hey, they may even make money!
Barf.
JeffinOrlando on October 4, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Just another issue that Republican politicians won’t bother their democrat friends about.
mtbunji on October 4, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Conservatives do.
Liberals do with your cash.
SKYFOX on October 4, 2008 at 11:44 AM
“I still want to know what this “charity” represents. If it’s money going to religion, it shouldn’t be called money anymore than money going to any other social club. And if Biden and other pro-choice Democratic politicians aren’t giving money to the Catholic church, I certainly wouldn’t blame them. Being insulted by the leaders of your religion is hardly conducive to donating the big bucks.
thuja on October 4, 2008 at 10:18 AM”
thuja: maybe you don’t understand the charity that churches do!
I would rather give my money to my church because I know that the money I give to them for the poor goes 100% to the poor to be used for food, training, natural disasters and does not cover anyone’s salaries. It especially goes to training, so that they can learn the language, learn how to work in a store, business, factory and go out into the world and work and support themselves. So they can become a tax paying member of the community and do not depend on welfare for generations.
Biden and obama and kerry and I dare say pelosi don’t think they have to do anything personally, except take from people who work hard and own businesses and employ others and give their money through excessive taxes to those who don’t carry their own load. OK, excepting those who can’t for some physical reason.
I’d love to see pelosi’s charitable giving, and especially harry reid’s (I suppose his for a personal reason).
Bambi on October 4, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Naw. Democrats like giving to poor people, too, they just want it done through the Federal Government so they and the “public service” unions can take a cut.
In essence, the Federal Government is a church to them.
SlimyBill on October 4, 2008 at 11:50 AM
The ‘charity gap’……just more liberal “nuance”. The Dems do believe in giving money to the poor. Just as long as it’s YOUR MONEY.
GarandFan on October 4, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Ed,
I strongly recommend ALL HOTAIR readers to get and read:
“Who Really Cares?” by Arthur Brookes
He is a liberal who over 10 years completed an analysis of charitable giving of money, time and blood.
He clearly shows how conservatives and religious people are more charitable than liberals and secularists.
MUST READING for anybody fighting the people who talk charity but don’t actually practice it.
READ IT NOW!
Sapwolf on October 4, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Lefties are always miserable, suffering, doom and gloom. They always talk about how we need to help and then look around and wait for someone *else* to do it.
Celebrities talk about how they made a public appearance and *raised* money for causes, but how much did they take (in cash and gift bags) for merely showing up while other “regular” people actually kick in some cash?
The Left is all about hypocrisy and soaking everyone else. Year after year, election after election, the evidence remains consistent.
Neo on October 4, 2008 at 11:57 AM
$3,690 since 1998? That’s an embarrassment for Joe Biden, who is supposedly a Catholic.
But the logic lies here: Liberals think paying taxes is charitable. Obama calls it “neighborly”. At their core, Obama/Biden/Kerry whoever think payin taxes IS giving to charity.
Amy Proctor on October 4, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Yeah…but I bet he thought about giving to charity on all his train rides.
jukin on October 4, 2008 at 12:20 PM
All these cheapbastard libs gouge the needy. As I remember, back during the 2000 campaign, Gore was found to have given only about $300 to charity one year.
Liberals think their grand intentions in social policy (actually social engineering) count as charity, so they feel they are absolved from donating the way any normal person does.
whitetop on October 4, 2008 at 12:32 PM
My favorite charity is Myself.
Kini on October 4, 2008 at 12:38 PM
There is only one bright side to an Obama Presidency. According to the Mayan Calandar, the world will end in 2012…
So at least we won’t have a second term and we can blame him for ending the world.
Damiano on October 4, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I believe that generous Joe is telling the truth when he says that he gave cash at his church. I can easily imagine him slipping in a dollar when the collection plate goes past in order to ease his conscience and feel that God will now smile on him as he supports the mass killing of unborn babies. Also, Joe would NOT want to write a check because that would leave a paper trail of how LITTLE he gave.
mydh12 on October 4, 2008 at 12:58 PM
A good way to make a lib’s head explode is to talk about how Dick Cheney is the most charitable P/VP in modern times, if not all of history.
hump1201 on October 4, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Don’t forget that until he began his run for president, Barry was also a charity miser.
Mallard T. Drake on October 4, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Also, don’t forget Barry’s brother in Kenya who is living on “a dollar a day.”
Mallard T. Drake on October 4, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Same old Same old.
My grandfather taught us to be generous with our own money and frugal with others, (when you are in a position to spend other’s money).
Yet most people today seem to think the opposite.
Sackett on October 4, 2008 at 2:36 PM
I disagree. Someone cares.
I can use it with Mrs. Magoo. She is an undecided and I’m doing my best to decide for her (wink). Any time she can see Obama/Biden for what they are is a plus for McCain/Palin.
The Mrs. is very big on charity and although she already doesn’t like Biden, this just puts another nail in the coffin. Obama is guilty by association. The Mrs. already thinks picking Biden was a mistake for Obama. In the debate, she thought Palin handled herself well. So she is leaning in “our” direction I think. Can’t wait to show her how much Sarah & Todd gave to charity.
One vote at a time! Ed, keep the ammunition coming!
BTW: Hannity’s America Sunday night is focusing on Obama’s questionable relationships while in the Chicago community. Hoping to get the Mrs. to watch. Tell your undecided friends!
Mr_Magoo on October 4, 2008 at 3:24 PM
1 percent for Biden vs 1.5 percent for Palin – both amounts are pitiful, and we’re calling Biden out on it? P’shaw.
Lot of Hot Air about virtually no real difference.
trailboss on October 4, 2008 at 3:38 PM
I am 110% confident that, if elected, Barry will put me in a shack.
ocbrat on October 4, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Trolls, and the liberals they represent, have no heart. Nor does anything remotely resembling blood course through their veins. They have NO compassion for anyone. This is who they are.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on October 4, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Sorry… I think your math is off. Biden’s 4k was for TEN YEARS worth. 1998 to present.
Recalculate.
:)
Mark_Tampa on October 4, 2008 at 5:20 PM
And a lot of people do both, not asking for receipts from the homeless guy or the soup kitchen they volunteered at.
sloopy on October 4, 2008 at 6:10 PM
McPalin are good people and Obama bin Biden are sleazy.
Too bad others cannot see it.
RobCon on October 4, 2008 at 7:24 PM
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