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Thom's blog
Middle class Americans give larger share of income to charity than do the rich
Not only can’t we rely on them to create jobs – but we can’t rely on them to give charity either. A new study by the Chronicle of Philanthropy examined tax deduction data from the IRS and discovered that middle class Americans give a larger share of their income to charity than do the rich. A household earning between $50,000 and $75,000 averaged contributing 7.6% of their income to charity. But as the income scale goes up – that percentage drops.
For those making more than $100,000 a year – only 4.2% was given to charity. And for those making more than $200,000 a year, the charity rate was just 2.8%. The far Right – people who adore Ayn Rand and Libertarians – argue we don’t need a social safety net in this country – or even a government to look out for the poor – because rich people will simply step up with charity.
These facts show the lie in that argument. But they do support a different argument – and that is that the rich – not all – but a lot – are less sympathetic than the middle class. After all, being holed up in your gated communities, driven around by a chauffeur, attending high-priced private education – it is often easy to overlook the plight of your fellow Americans.
-Thom
(Does this surprise you? Tell us here.) |
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Tonight on The Big Picture on RT TV at 9pm and 11pm... The Myth of "legitimate" rape... (check your local listings for stations or stream at RT, and catch past shows on Youtube)
Need to Know: The Myth of "legitimate" rape...- Nancy Cohen, historian, political commentator & author of the book "Delirium"  - Sarah Seltzer, Alternet
Screwed: Romney now planning on cutting medicare for current seniors?- Neal Asbury, host-“Truth for America”
The New New Deal- Michael Grunwald, Time Magazine / Author of the new book "The New New Deal: The Hidden History of Change in the Obama Era"
The Best of the Rest of the News...
Will Julian Assange change the global view of free speech?- Michael Ratner, Human Rights Attorney-member Assange legal team / President Emeritus-CCR Justice
Hank Williams Jr. promoting hate...- Gadeir Abbas, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Daily Take: FDR exposes the origins of the Romney/Ryan "Big Lie"
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Tuesday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm
In for Thom today, Dr. Mike Newcomb, host of The Mike Newcomb Show, weekdays 4-6pm PT on 1480 AM KPHX...the valley's progressive talk radio
Hour One: Paul Ryan and Todd Akin Partnered On Radical ‘Personhood’ Bill Outlawing Abortion And Many Birth Control Pills- Adam Peck, Think Progress
And, the best of the rest of the news and your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program...your media support group for "we the people"...TAG, YOU'RE IT!!!!!!!!! (OCCUPY SOMETHING!!!!!)
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Monday's Daily Stack 
Quote: "The tyranny of a prince in an oligarchy is not so dangerous to the public welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy." -- Montesquieu.
Hour One: GOP war on women..."legitimate rape", really?!- Nancy Cohen, Political commentator, historian and author-"Delirium: The Politics of Sex in America"
Hour Two: Potential ethics violations of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan- Joshua Holland, AlterNet
How the right wing is pandering to the fringe of their party- Steve Rosenfeld, Alternet / Author-"Count My Vote"
Hour Three: Will Mitt Romney's Mormonism be a factor?- John Amato, Journalist / Creator-Crooks and Liars
Paul Ryan's potential to swing the swing states, and not in a good way- John Nichols, The Nation Magazine / Author-"Uprising"
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Wednesday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm
Welcome back Thom Hartmann! Thom shares his adventures with America's healthcare system...you won't want to miss THIS story...
And, the best of the rest of the news and always YOUR calls, right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program, Occupying The Media 3 hours a day 5 days a week" for "we the people"...TAG, YOU'RE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (GET OUT THERE, GET ACTIVE AND OCCUPY SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
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Show Info
Call Thom on the show at 1-866-987-THOM (8466) (0870 974 9686 from the UK, +1 503 796 2324 from outside the US or UK).
Sign up for Thom's podcasts.
Come on over to the free chat room, where Thom hangs out during the show.
Join in the discussions on Thom's free message board.
Blog or upload videos or audios at Thom's community.
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Thom's Poll
Are we seeing the end to the war on drugs?
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Watch & Listen to Thom
Watch the Full "Big Picture" Show...
Full Show 8/20/12: Assange & the Decline of the West
Guest host Sam Sacks fills in for Thom Hartmann and discusses Julian Assange's call on the U.S. to once again embrace democracy, transparency and freedom. Also discussed: the deadly miner strike in South Africa, how Republicans plan to win the debate on Medicare if their plan is to end the program and in tonight's "Daily Take" Thom details why he thinks Romney is a sociopathic fascist.
Thom Hartmann on the News - August 20, 2012
Karl Frisch fills in for Thom Hartmann commenting on the news for Monday, August 13, 2012
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 Would you like to help give a child with a very troubled background this feeling of peace? Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village (NESCV) in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow. Can you help? Now on Facebook. |
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Hello All