Who’s more compassionate?

Lisa Brown wants us to believe that Cathy McMorris Rodgers is only concerned about accumulating power and wealth. But which candidate is more compassionate? The income tax returns of both candidates show that when it comes to sharing her wealth, Brown lags far behind.

Brown’s 2017 return showed adjusted gross income of $320,030, nearly seven times higher than the median family income in Spokane County. Her charitable gifts totaled $15,766, which means Brown donated 4.9 percent of her income.

McMorris Rodgers reported income of $211,795 and charitable gifts of $23,171, which represented 10.9 percent of her family’s income. As a percentage of income, McMorris Rodgers donated more than twice as much as Brown. And McMorris Rodgers gave away nearly 11 percent of her income with three children at home. Brown reports no dependents.

Brown made almost seven times more money than her constituents and 1.5 times more than McMorris Rodgers but gave away far less money. If McMorris Rodgers is out to get rich, why does she give away money when she doesn’t have to? McMorris Rodgers and her husband voluntarily and joyfully share the blessing of their wealth with deserving charitable causes. You be the judge about who is more compassionate.

Ron Hauenstein

Spokane