| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Captain Compassion" |
| Date: |
09 Nov 2004 08:35:53 PM |
| Object: |
New England states making more, giving less |
New England states making more, giving less
By Laura Walsh, Associated Press Writer | November 9, 2004
HARTFORD, Conn. -- Residents of Connecticut and its New England
neighbors continue to earn more and give back less, according to an
annual index of charitable giving.
Connecticut ranks first when it comes to making money, but joins New
Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island in falling to the very
bottom of the 2004 Generosity Index, according to the Catalogue for
Philanthropy.
Mississippi held onto its title as the most giving state for the
eighth consecutive year. Following right behind are Arkansas,
Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee.
The survey is based on the average adjusted income of residents and
the value of itemized charitable donations reported on 2002 federal
tax returns, the latest year available.
New England's stinginess is nothing new. New Hampshire has been
labeled the least generous state for six out of the last eight years,
with only Massachusetts stealing the title in 1998 and 1999.
While the Nutmeg State has the nation's highest average adjusted gross
income at $64,724, its residents donate $175 less to charity than the
national average. That ranks Connecticut at 44th on the Generosity
Index, a slip of seven places from last year.
Carol Schofield, of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, said
she's disappointed to see where Connecticut ranks, but defends the
state's charity work. Factors, such as the aftermath of Sept. 11 in
2001 and a slow economy, may influence how much people are willing to
donate, she said.
The index does not take into account non-itemized giving or
volunteering, Schofield added. Still, Schofield said she couldn't
offer a solid explanation as to why Connecticut and the rest of New
England has earned such a miserly reputation.
"Old New Englanders are just perhaps a little more reluctant ... a
little more reluctant to give or a little more reluctant to get credit
for it," Schofield said.
The latest index reflects a country still coping with an economic
slump -- the national average gross income in 2002 dropped nearly 2.4
percent to $45,953. Despite the drop in income, the average individual
donation fell less than 1 percent.
Exceptions to the trend can be found in Connecticut, Massachusetts and
Vermont, where the decline in giving exceeded the decline in income.
In Connecticut, income fell 5 percent and giving dropped almost 8
percent, the sharpest decline among the six New England states. Rhode
Island residents, however, saw their income drop by .14 percent, but
increased giving by 2.5 percent.
Southern and Midwestern states, again, top off the generosity index.
The region's high generosity level has been attributed to the practice
of tithing -- giving a tenth of one's earnings to the church.
Mississippi consistently earns its place as No. 1 on the list by
generating the greatest disparity among the states in income and
charitable contributions. It is ranked as the poorest state in the
nation, but comes in fifth on the index for its "giving" rank.
The average itemized filer in Mississippi reported $4,484 in donations
in 2002. That beats the national average by $1,029.
Although critics accuse the generosity index of shaming states into
giving more, officials at The Catalogue for Philanthropy say the
survey is a way of comparison. The Boston, Mass.-based nonprofit group
created the index eight years ago.
"Generosity is really what you give as a function of what you have,"
said spokesman Martin Cohn.
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"Why would I listen to losers?" -- Arnold Schwarzenegger
"Long term commitment in relationships is only necessary because it takes
so damn long to raise children. Marriage may well be some kind of trick
to keep the males around beyond sexual satiation." -- Captain Compassion
"Progress is the increasing control of the environment by life.
--Will Durant
Joseph R. Darancette
res0mp8t@NOSPAMverizon.net
.
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| User: "marengo" |
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| Title: Re: New England states making more, giving less |
10 Nov 2004 07:17:45 AM |
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"Captain Compassion" <res0mp8t@NOSPAMverizon.net> wrote in message
news:obv2p0llkrfqm000cphtihd47insa3qlhq@4ax.com...
The index does not take into account non-itemized giving or
volunteering, Schofield added. Still, Schofield said she couldn't
offer a solid explanation as to why Connecticut and the rest of New
England has earned such a miserly reputation.
Mississippi consistently earns its place as No. 1 on the list by
generating the greatest disparity among the states in income and
charitable contributions. It is ranked as the poorest state in the
nation, but comes in fifth on the index for its "giving" rank.
Joseph R. Darancette
The answer is very clear, of course.
People in Mississippi lie on their income tax returns to get the big
deductions; the people in New England are honest.
.
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| User: "Captain Compassion" |
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| Title: Re: New England states making more, giving less |
10 Nov 2004 10:21:39 AM |
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On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:17:45 -0500, "marengo" <marengo@thelink.net>
wrote:
"Captain Compassion" <res0mp8t@NOSPAMverizon.net> wrote in message
news:obv2p0llkrfqm000cphtihd47insa3qlhq@4ax.com...
The index does not take into account non-itemized giving or
volunteering, Schofield added. Still, Schofield said she couldn't
offer a solid explanation as to why Connecticut and the rest of New
England has earned such a miserly reputation.
Mississippi consistently earns its place as No. 1 on the list by
generating the greatest disparity among the states in income and
charitable contributions. It is ranked as the poorest state in the
nation, but comes in fifth on the index for its "giving" rank.
Joseph R. Darancette
The answer is very clear, of course.
People in Mississippi lie on their income tax returns to get the big
deductions; the people in New England are honest.
Seems to me the opposite. Seems to me that it is the "blue staters"
that are cheap and mean.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Why would I listen to losers?" -- Arnold Schwarzenegger
"Long term commitment in relationships is only necessary because it takes
so damn long to raise children. Marriage may well be some kind of trick
to keep the males around beyond sexual satiation." -- Captain Compassion
"Progress is the increasing control of the environment by life.
--Will Durant
Joseph R. Darancette
res0mp8t@NOSPAMverizon.net
.
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