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-- Although liberal families' incomes average 6 percent higher than those of conservative families, conservative-headed households give, on average, 30 percent more to charity than the average liberal-headed household ($1,600 per year vs. $1,227).
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If we are trying to draw broad conclusions about the two groups, the average may not give us the best analysis. Were there people at the top end--like, say, a Bill Gates--who skewed the average? At the very least, it would be helpful to see the mean. And at best, we would like to know the mean of the percentage income given. There are a number of moving parts here.
Still and all, it's a pointless exercise. Ask yourself what type of person is likely to pass a beggar and give a dollar and what type of person is likely to pass that beggar and say, "Get a job."