r/askanything • u/SignificantCrow • 5h ago

Political Question Are Republicans inherently selfish?

Not referring to every individual obviously but as a whole, compared to democrats/independents they seem to really only care about themselves or their immediate family and pretty much have a “f**k em” attitude towards literally everyone else. Does anyone else feel this way?

This would explain why so many are against social policies but have no issue dumping much more money into the military instead, for example.

0 Upvotes

49% Upvoted

733 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/rankincooter 5h ago

I would argue it's the other way around. Those who aren't willing to do for themselves expect others to do for them. And they expect their benefits without regard to the needs of those whose taxpayer funds they're getting.

Studies have shown that Republicans are more generous with their money when it's an autonomous decision. Largely through religious organizations.

5

u/chaosangelzine 4h ago

Donating to churches is not the same aa donating through churches.

1

u/rankincooter 4h ago

Yes, that's why I wrote the word through.

3

u/ImprovementPutrid441 4h ago

Right, republicans donate to religious organizations because charity is a privilege.

You understand that difference, right? If the federal government has programs to help people get food, for example, they have to treat everyone the same. The crackhead has the same right to federal programs as the kindergarten teacher. When charity is distributed through the church they have greater control over who gets help and what kind of help they get.

So when you say a person is generous when it’s an autonomous decision, no kidding. That’s why it’s considered controlling because either you believe it’s immoral to deny people food, OR you believe it’s only immoral to deny some people food and fine to let others starve because they aren’t “deserving” in your view.

Right?

2

u/rankincooter 4h ago

Another reddit "top 1% commenter" who thinks she's the smartest lady in the room.

One is given by force, there is no say in how that money is distributed. The other is by choice, where there is a say in how that money is distributed. If I don't like the way my money is spent by a certain entity, tough. I'll be forced to do it again & I have no say. The other way, when I choose to donate more, I can choose to do it how I want.

Or would you prefer that I buy a new Tesla with the extra money?

1

u/ImprovementPutrid441 4h ago

No, that’s what I’m getting at.

You’re saying there is no say in how the money is distributed but that’s why we elect representatives who write legislation on our behalf. You have the same control every other voter does over how our government works.

Or do you not live in the United States?

1

u/rankincooter 4h ago

No, I do not live in the U.S.

BUT, I know enough to know that U.S. politicians don't care what their constituents think either from either party. One will say they're so heartwarming for taking your money for this pet project while the other says their pet project is the good one.

1

u/ImprovementPutrid441 4h ago

So you are on Reddit to claim democracy is a ruse and we should give money to private entities that don’t even have to spend it on programs for the poor?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Osteen

1

u/rankincooter 3h ago

Come on, if you're going to be a "top 1% commenter," bring something better than that shyster.

Democracy is a ruse in the U.S. Oh, Biden cheated. Four years later, oh, Trump cheated.

Point is, whomever I want to give charitable money to should be a personal choice that isn't scrutinized.

1

u/ImprovementPutrid441 3h ago

How did Biden cheat exactly?

No one cares what you do with your money. You can spend it all on hookers and candy. Why not?

1

u/HuntedByAll 3h ago

Wait....

So you think someone donating their money willingly is controlling, and the government taking their money against their will isn't? That is the complete opposite of reality.

1

u/ImprovementPutrid441 3h ago

The government isn’t taking your money against your will. That’s the whole point of electing a representative government.

7

u/Different_Month_7108 5h ago

What studies, the ones you made up in your head

0

u/rankincooter 4h ago

No, the ones I saw when I put it into a search engine. You can too. Best of luck in your endeavors.

1

u/shooplegaming 4h ago

ffs, give an example, the onus is on you to provide evidence for your claim, not the other way around.

1

u/rankincooter 4h ago

ffs, it's like you people are incapable of anything around here. Now, do what you're going to do and tell me why it's wrong. Then show me "evidence" that Democrats are the ones who donate more.

Are conservatives more charitable than liberals in the U.S.? A meta-analysis of political ideology and charitable giving - ScienceDirect

1

u/shooplegaming 3h ago

Thank you for finally providing a source. Did you even read the souce?, it supports my claim LOL

That exact 2021 meta-analysis notes that the difference in giving is moderated by religiosity, meaning it’s driven by church tithing, which funds church operations, buildings, and staff salaries, not secular poverty relief or medical care. When you control for religious attendance and look at donations to actual secular safety-net causes (food banks, clinics, shelters), that giving gap disappears.

Furthermore, studies looking at total redistribution (tax-funded public services plus private giving) consistently show Democratic-leaning areas provide vastly more support to the poor. Dropping $20 into a Sunday collection plate to keep the church lights on is not a substitute for a functional healthcare system or school lunch program.

1

u/rankincooter 3h ago

Hold on, it says "it’s driven by church tithing?" I did NOT see that, please quote it.

Other than that, taxes are taken & redistributed. The point is who I choose to give to in addition to taxes paid is no one else's business. It's my money, my choice, right? That's how that works?

Although, and this is a true story, I recall in 2008 when Biden was running for President & ultimately chosen as VP. His lack of charitable giving was mentioned. I thought "that guy makes way more than me & I donated way more to charity than him."

1

u/shooplegaming 3h ago

"Our meta-analysis demonstrates that the relationship between political ideology and charitable giving is largely driven by religiosity... Specifically, the conservative advantage in giving appears when religious giving is included, but diminishes or disappears entirely when looking at secular giving." So you didn't read it or it went over your head.

I don't give a shit lol, holy pivot. We're talking about today, not 2008. Do you want me to bring up all the dumb shit bush did?

1

u/ThrowAway3000Delux 4h ago

lol, confusing a tithe with charity.

1

u/rankincooter 4h ago

lol, confusing a tithe with a charitable donation through a religious entity.

1

u/ThrowAway3000Delux 4h ago

exactly, when you see it, it gets funny. Because they profess their giving nature while giving in the most self-serving way possible.

1

u/rankincooter 4h ago

exactly, I choose to donate my charity to places that make me feel best about doing it. That's what's great about it, I get to pick who I'm helping & through what vehicle. What better way to do it, right?

1

u/ThrowAway3000Delux 4h ago

BTW, let's see that study and see if it's not all self-reported? That would indicate that the left is simply more honest and not necessarily less giving.

1

u/rankincooter 4h ago

You first. You find one that says Democrats give more, then I'll give one that says Republicans give more & you'll either ignore it or chastise it because you don't like it. Also, I'm a real taxpayer, so I "donate" to a lot of people I don't want to also.

1

u/ThrowAway3000Delux 4h ago

ROFL, me first?? Because I claimed a study to back up my position? You clown.

1

u/rankincooter 4h ago

I must've missed your study. If you posted it, please do again. Seriously. And thanks for the name calling. It simply validated my real opinion. Stereotypes exist for a reason. You're why. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

0

u/ThrowAway3000Delux 4h ago

Oh, there are better ways. Like not giving to an organization with a personal agenda not based on helping people but converting them. Folks like you give for mission trips and then pat themselves on the back for their selfless giving. It's a joke. Remember? I said it was funny.

2

u/rankincooter 4h ago

Who said that's what I donate to? Why would you make an ignorant assumption like that? You're right, you are funny.

1

u/ThrowAway3000Delux 4h ago

You get last word. After that asinine comment I'm done with you. Enjoy.

1

u/rankincooter 4h ago

Look, I get the ploy here. It's right from the victimization playbook. You can't speak intelligently to a subject, only through an emotional lens. So you pull the "I'm done with you" comment like you've won. You've not. All you've done is repeat a pattern I've seen on the reddit echo chamber dozens of times.

I will commend you though. At least you're not as bad as those types who post such a comment then block.

Best of luck to you, I hope you have a successful and fulfilling life. And may it not be on reddit, this place is incredibly negative.