But here’s why Krugman’s answer is far too easy: because it leaves out the really evil part of what Republicans do. It’s not enough that they loathe the poor and unfortunate and demand fealty to policies designed to make their lives as terrible as possible. It’s that they also want the moral superiority that comes with philanthropic activity! They are quite dedicated to it, too, particularly the Mormons and the Southern Baptists (who, as I’m sure Professor Krugman knows, hate the unfortunate more than any other Republican factions). That’s why states like Utah, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and other red states lead the country in the percentage of household income given to charity, while New England – where such hatred of the poor is rare, and charitable giving is not required in order to achieve that special warm feeling of superiority – lags the nation with near Biden-level percentages of charitable donations.

This organized effort, built on a network of religious fanatics who sing songs together and recite prose in unison in cult-like meetinghouses across the nation, demonstrates the true villainy of the tithing culture and the vacuity of so-called “acts of charity” which exist in Republican communities. Remember: you only care about someone if you’re dedicated to compelling someone else to give money to an effort. The only purpose of giving of your own free will is self-aggrandizement. The only kind of spending which demonstrates actual care for the poor and unfortunate is government spending.