Everyone should be upset that the president and Congress are wanting to cap charitable deductions.
Charities are very concerned and sent 250 representatives to Washington to talk members of Congress out of one of the worst ideas to help avert the fiscal cliff.
Giving is not a loophole like accelerated depreciation of corporate jets.
For starters, the ability to deduct gifts to charity has been around for almost 100 years. The fact that it was included in the tax code just a few years after the federal income tax was established points to the fact that it was a respected American practice and not added so that friends of those in power could escape government obligations like in this lobbyist-fueled government era.
Individuals would be better off financially by keeping their money and paying taxes on it than giving it away and getting a partial write off on their taxes.
Besides, it is a terrible idea to discourage Americans from giving back to the community at a time when government of all types is increasingly replacing the work civil organizations used to provide and when so many need a job and are struggling.
And a cap means that charities that depend on government for their existence will have more of an edge fundraising if private giving goes down as a result of tax changes.
But it's revealing that we have reached a point in our culture where a deduction for giving to charity is considered a "loophole" just like accounting that can allow oil companies, for example, to buy crude at a range of prices but pay taxes on their profits from selling it as if every barrel was bought at the latest, most expensive price.
The president, who has tried to cap deductions with practically every bill he has submitted, and a willing media are chief proponents of branding giving as a vehicle for the rich to avoid paying their fair share. But that label is patently unfair. Studies show middle class Americans donate a larger percentage of their income than the wealthy, with religious faith driving a lot of giving.
And interestingly, liberals give less than conservatives, so any changes would disproportionately impact those who voted for the other guy in the last election.
Some charities, perhaps unwittingly, have done their part to remake themselves as just another special interest in the eyes of the media by employing high-priced lobbyists. That smells on the face of it and many donors won't give to those groups because of it.
But it is like faulting charities for the fact that the government is huge and complex. They should have the right to navigate it, too, like everyone else. Besides, the vast majority do not have the money or resources to petition Washington just like small businesses, which need every employee focused on making money to survive.
Ultimately, it would be best to get rid of all deductions, simplify the tax code, and broaden the tax base. That would benefit charities and everyone who cannot afford to pay lobbyists to manipulate the tax code in their favor. Data from Giving USA buttresses that viewpoint. It shows that donations have hovered around 2 percent of disposable income for decades under different tax regimes, signifying that expanding the pie is the best solution to increasing donations.
But that does not mean in the interim that Congress should treat the broad swath of Americans who give as if they were serial tax avoiders like General Electric. It's a dangerous moral equivalency that undermines civil society and makes government a bigger arbiter in deciding Americans' priorities.
- Marta H. Mossburg is an independent columnist. Contact her at marta@martamossburg.com.
Apparently, it is not enough to tolerate, accept, or even endorse the gay agenda. Now, unless you tolerate and accept criminal behavior committed by gays, you are a hater.
Believe it — that is the very public argument being made in behalf of Florida high school cheerleader Kaitlyn Hunt, 18, who faces criminal charges for having sex with a 14-year-old girl.
Word on the street and in the media is that it will be a really bad summer for mosquitoes. Or should I say, it will be a really bad summer for humans, because it will be a great year for thirsty mosquitoes.
When Barack Obama announced his presidential campaign back in February 2007, he did it in front of the old Springfield, Ill., Statehouse in a speech full of references to Abraham Lincoln.
Ordinarily I don’t take requests, but a bunch of people have written to ask how I’m doing with my weight-loss surgery and I thought this might be the most efficient way to answer.
I am a grandmother who went to the Brownsburg graduation ceremony on June 7 and due to very poor planning on Brownsburg School’s part, I could not sit and watch my twin grandsons graduate in person. I was directed to an overflow room where I had to watch it on a TV screen and could not even take pictures.
What you are now hearing across the land is a collective whine. Blue-state Democrats are upset that Texas Gov. Rick Perry dares come and play in their sandboxes, and worse, threatens to “poach” jobs from their states.
The website Politico reports that Perry’s attempts to lure jobs to Texas are “infuriating to prominent Democrats around the country.”
I am the first to admit I am behind the times when it comes to technology. I remember way back in the olden days of the 1990s when I was actually ahead of the game. Now there are second-graders that are more tech savvy than me. I just decided to stop my forward technological progression a few years back.
College graduates facing a crushing debt – some more than $100,000 – is a very big and a very real problem.
But U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s recent proposal to deal with it won’t solve the problem. It is a cheap ploy to divert attention from the real problem.
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
Commentary
Discussion
Givers should not be treated like corporate welfare seekers
By Marta Mossburg CNHI
Everyone should be upset that the president and Congress are wanting to cap charitable deductions.
Charities are very concerned and sent 250 representatives to Washington to talk members of Congress out of one of the worst ideas to help avert the fiscal cliff.
Giving is not a loophole like accelerated depreciation of corporate jets.
For starters, the ability to deduct gifts to charity has been around for almost 100 years. The fact that it was included in the tax code just a few years after the federal income tax was established points to the fact that it was a respected American practice and not added so that friends of those in power could escape government obligations like in this lobbyist-fueled government era.
Individuals would be better off financially by keeping their money and paying taxes on it than giving it away and getting a partial write off on their taxes.
Besides, it is a terrible idea to discourage Americans from giving back to the community at a time when government of all types is increasingly replacing the work civil organizations used to provide and when so many need a job and are struggling.
And a cap means that charities that depend on government for their existence will have more of an edge fundraising if private giving goes down as a result of tax changes.
But it's revealing that we have reached a point in our culture where a deduction for giving to charity is considered a "loophole" just like accounting that can allow oil companies, for example, to buy crude at a range of prices but pay taxes on their profits from selling it as if every barrel was bought at the latest, most expensive price.
The president, who has tried to cap deductions with practically every bill he has submitted, and a willing media are chief proponents of branding giving as a vehicle for the rich to avoid paying their fair share. But that label is patently unfair. Studies show middle class Americans donate a larger percentage of their income than the wealthy, with religious faith driving a lot of giving.
And interestingly, liberals give less than conservatives, so any changes would disproportionately impact those who voted for the other guy in the last election.
Some charities, perhaps unwittingly, have done their part to remake themselves as just another special interest in the eyes of the media by employing high-priced lobbyists. That smells on the face of it and many donors won't give to those groups because of it.
But it is like faulting charities for the fact that the government is huge and complex. They should have the right to navigate it, too, like everyone else. Besides, the vast majority do not have the money or resources to petition Washington just like small businesses, which need every employee focused on making money to survive.
Ultimately, it would be best to get rid of all deductions, simplify the tax code, and broaden the tax base. That would benefit charities and everyone who cannot afford to pay lobbyists to manipulate the tax code in their favor. Data from Giving USA buttresses that viewpoint. It shows that donations have hovered around 2 percent of disposable income for decades under different tax regimes, signifying that expanding the pie is the best solution to increasing donations.
But that does not mean in the interim that Congress should treat the broad swath of Americans who give as if they were serial tax avoiders like General Electric. It's a dangerous moral equivalency that undermines civil society and makes government a bigger arbiter in deciding Americans' priorities.
- Marta H. Mossburg is an independent columnist. Contact her at marta@martamossburg.com.
Will the current V.A. backlog on veterans’ compensation claims be the next scandal to hit the administration?
Currently, the backlog is at 865,000 plus compensation claims with a wait time of greater than 125 days.
June 18, 2013
Apparently, it is not enough to tolerate, accept, or even endorse the gay agenda. Now, unless you tolerate and accept criminal behavior committed by gays, you are a hater.
Believe it — that is the very public argument being made in behalf of Florida high school cheerleader Kaitlyn Hunt, 18, who faces criminal charges for having sex with a 14-year-old girl.
June 18, 2013
Word on the street and in the media is that it will be a really bad summer for mosquitoes. Or should I say, it will be a really bad summer for humans, because it will be a great year for thirsty mosquitoes.
June 14, 2013
As a Christian, I feel compelled to respond to a recent letter to the editor.
June 14, 2013
When Barack Obama announced his presidential campaign back in February 2007, he did it in front of the old Springfield, Ill., Statehouse in a speech full of references to Abraham Lincoln.
June 14, 2013
Ordinarily I don’t take requests, but a bunch of people have written to ask how I’m doing with my weight-loss surgery and I thought this might be the most efficient way to answer.
June 11, 2013
I am a grandmother who went to the Brownsburg graduation ceremony on June 7 and due to very poor planning on Brownsburg School’s part, I could not sit and watch my twin grandsons graduate in person. I was directed to an overflow room where I had to watch it on a TV screen and could not even take pictures.
June 11, 2013
What you are now hearing across the land is a collective whine. Blue-state Democrats are upset that Texas Gov. Rick Perry dares come and play in their sandboxes, and worse, threatens to “poach” jobs from their states.
The website Politico reports that Perry’s attempts to lure jobs to Texas are “infuriating to prominent Democrats around the country.”
June 11, 2013
I am the first to admit I am behind the times when it comes to technology. I remember way back in the olden days of the 1990s when I was actually ahead of the game. Now there are second-graders that are more tech savvy than me. I just decided to stop my forward technological progression a few years back.
June 7, 2013
College graduates facing a crushing debt – some more than $100,000 – is a very big and a very real problem.
But U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s recent proposal to deal with it won’t solve the problem. It is a cheap ploy to divert attention from the real problem.
June 7, 2013
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Is Eric Snowden a traitor or patriot?
Tires
Telecommunications
Beauty Salons
Government
An NPR broadcast examines the question of how communities can better prepare for tornadoes like the one that struck Moore, Okla. on Monday. The broadcast features commentary from Michael Fitzgerald, who reported a five-part disaster series for the CNHI News Service.
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
General Keith Alexander says two recently disclosed surveillance programs on international communications are critical in the terrorism fight.
June 18, 2013 1 Photo
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