The outpouring of support highlights how central a role charity plays in our social contract undefined we Americans view ourselves as generous, yet we mistrust the government to help those in need. Our trust in charity is uniquely American. We pay less tax as a share of our income than citizens of virtually every other rich economy in the world. But we contribute more to charity than citizens of any other country.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/business/charitys-role-in-america-and-its-limits.html?ref=business&pagewanted=all&_r=0