JC Callender
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2013
- Messages
- 6,477
- Reaction score
- 3,270
- Location
- Metro Detroit
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Undisclosed
I am helping the disabled with my own money, via taxes. I don't miss that money, because it's small in comparison to other portions of the federal budget. 12% of the budget goes to support safety net programs. I also already donate to organizations which support the disabled, anonymously, because I don't need that feeling you are describing. I am not self-aggrandizing and nor do I wish to ever make anyone feel beholden to me.
If all federal programs were to end, 12% of my taxes would not go very far in helping a single disabled person so that they could survive on part time pay and my heart would break to see their small measure of self-sufficiency end as they had to take refuge in some horrid institution. I do not believe in putting innocent people into potentially hellish conditions so that few Annies, Abes and Twains might pop out. Scarred by the experience as they would too be.
So now we are back to discussing what would happen to those for whom charity cannot provide. Charitable contributions go down in hard times. So what about those who are lucky enough to receive charity, but then whose lives are upended when charity runs out in a down turn? Government funds can be effected, but not like a charity, which can dry up over night.
I don't think it's self-aggrandizing to want your money to go to a personal charity of your choice in a much more efficient way than the government could handle it. I also don't think there's anything wrong with feeling good about giving to those in need, unless one is doing it solely for recognition. And your 12% may not be much, and neither is mine, but what about the millionaires? What if you were a millionaire, that 12% would be much more. Think of what you could do with that. I'm sure most millionaires are where they're at because they now how to be efficient and frugal with their money, searching for the best investments.
Charitable donations may dry up during recessions, but the huge charities that would administer these donations I'm sure would make investments that would ensure people are taken care of during these times. Look at how inefficient the government is, don't you think if you ran a charity that you could do better?