That was kinda my whole point. I think a lot of that change is due to increasing reliance on government rather than our fellow citizens. People don't give, whether it be time, labor or money, like they did before because they know the government will take the money and "help" as the government sees fit. Another problem with that is the government does so many unnecessary things that the money doesn't go near as far as it would if it was given voluntarily.
Its because we are less of a connected society with less care for community----it has nothing to do with government reliance....and if it does, it is no bigger a factor than the decline of the traditional american family, religion, or any other factor that may somehow be related to good natured giving. People dont give anymore because we are more materialistic, self centered, and disconnected for any number of reasons from greed, the desturction of the middle class, to simple me-me--me syndrome (see Paris Hilton types). The conclusion you are drawing is like saying that ice cream consumption contributes to kids drowning----just because they both happen in the summer. One does not have any effect on the other, and any effect it may have on some is not statistically significant.
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