Well, the annual report by Giving USA is out. The Foundation estimates that
you -- the American people -- opened up your hearts and wallets to give
almost $300 billion to charitable causes last year. That outdid charity
donations in 2005 -- and that was the year that hurricanes Rita, Wilma, and
Katrina vanden Heuvel struck, along with that Asian tsunami.

Now, Richard Jolly, Giving USA's chairman, says that what's especially
interesting is the high percentage of gifts that come from individual donors
year after year. Those everyday Americans contribute over 75 percent of all
the charitable donations out there.

Americans give twice as much as any other country. Next in line are the
Brits -- while France ranks below Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, and
Germany...which don't pass this "global test."

But the fact that America continues to lead all nations of the world in
giving is humdrum news; it's not going to generate any attention from the
Drive-By Media here or abroad because it doesn't fit the template. The
template is that America exploits the world's resources and leaves nothing
in its wake but widespread destruction and horror.

But despite the tax burdens that you live with, the high gas prices, the ATM
charges, the incessant whining and carping from liberals that we are a
selfish, greedy people who don't invest enough to help the victims, the
losers of life's lottery... we just keep on giving. Because, my friends:
compassionate, good-hearted, and generous people is who we all are. Don't
forget it.

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