Reply #23: that's not the entire story

[NewJeffCT]

A person from a wealthier state has a higher threshold to cross before any charitable contributions are deductible and we also pay more taxes to support red state welfare. If 50% of people in Mississippi give 2% to charity on their $30,000 a year incomes and 50% gave nothing, is it better than if 50% of people in Connecticut gave 1.5% and 25% gave 2% of their $60,000 a year incomes? According to the Philanthropy List, Mississippi would come out twice as good as Connecticut.

Also, I am guessing that organizations like the United Way, a very common charity in blue states like NY & California, use a higher percentage of their donations for actual charity than does the Rev. Falwell's Ministries, or the local Evangelical Church on the corner, which are more common donations in red states. I would have to do the research to make sure, though.

Also, if Big Corporation based in New York gives employees time off to donate to the United Way, it is not deductible for the employee, and I know that United Way days are pretty common up here.