The False Stereotype of Republicans as Mean-Spirited and Hard-Hearted

The stereotype of Republicans as mean-spirited and hard-hearted better fits Democrats.

In a recent piece on the appropriate treatment of young, illegal immigrants, The Sensible Conservative noted the need for Republicans to be leery of opposing help for Dreamers and feeding negative stereotypes so eagerly promoted by the left and the general media. 

The reality is actually quite the opposite.  According to a compilation of IRS statistics and various polling data by the Almanac of American Philanthropy, generosity towards one’s fellow man is more likely to be found among Republicans and conservatives than Democrats and liberals. 

Interestingly, after adjusting for income, the most generous citizens by state correlated very closely with the support received by the Republican candidate in the 2012 presidential election.  Of the top ten most generous states, nine voted for Mitt Romney.  Of the least generous state populations, the list was headed by the staunchly Democratic-voting New England states. 

[Among the fifty largest U.S. cities rated similarly, liberal strongholds San Francisco and Boston were on the bottom.]

On a personal level, among Americans making charitable donations, 31% of Republicans gave $1000 or more whereas only 17% of Democratic givers did the same.

Further, among self-described conservatives and liberals, those on the right, on an individual basis, made contributions that were 30% higher than those on the left. 

Plainly, there is much truth in the following:  conservatives and Republicans are generous with their own money.  Democrats and liberals would rather spend someone else’s “to do good”.