Stealing Charity

President Obama is now attacking the Charitable giving of Americans. His new federal budget, if passed, will greatly affect tax-deductions on giving in lieu of greater tax revenues for the federal government.

In questioning the wisdom of this among other tax hikes proposed while dealing with a world-wide economic crisis, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner shared that the reductions are insignificant and only affect a small amount of giving.

Insignificant, maybe, but with huge ramifications.

The US is the LARGEST donor to charity in the world including both domestic and foreign giving. Among domestic programs include universities, churches, private schools, sports programs, the arts, medical and technical research, social programming, public service such as ambulances, even police and firemen have charitable fundraisers, and the list goes on and on.

What the administration fails to understand is that charity for Americans isn’t just something that “WEALTHY people do, ” it is one of the biggest international distinctions about who we are.
The biggest influencers of our lives outside of family probably isn’t school or government programs, but things like summer camps, sports clubs, churches/religious communities, big brother/big sister type programs, even education development and political movements, ALL are made possible through Charity.

Jimmy Carter’s group eradicated things like the guinea worm which killed many in Africa, made possible through charity.

The fight against racism, cancer, organizations promoting women’s rights, Green peace, political groups, even my peewee football league; charity.

America has established an atmosphere of charity unparalleled in the world that is not only rewarded by the government but established as a part of our culture because of its support.
Those who give as altruists are rewarded, encouraged and thanked.

Those who give who aren’t altruists are rewarded, encouraged and thanked.

This has created the most holistic programs/organizations/institutions in the world – religion, education, sports, arts, social development, aid, recovery programs, etc.

And as most in the charity industry understand, giving isn’t just about collecting money, it is an exercise in faith and community involvement.

In attacking this, the administration is now saying that what these things are no longer important to American society. Instead of the people deciding what to support, they are taking your money and putting it where they think it should go.

We have an idea of what will be supported, by simply reading the stimulus and omnibus packages. If you’re not happy with what Washington is doing with your money, imagine what they will do with your charity.