I am for a fair tax. I believe this would eliminate most deductions.
Yes
No
Are too many ‘charities’ political organizations masquerading as do-gooders?
Are churches serving as de facto political organizing arms for conservatives?
If someone gives money to a secular political group or union, they don’t get a tax deduction.
If people want to give money to these organizations, it’s their right to do so.
But the taxpayers shouldn’t have to subsidize those activities, should we?
I am for a fair tax. I believe this would eliminate most deductions.
The deductions are there for the following reasoning.
The government gives money to charities it likes.
This money is the peoples.
Some people don't like certain charities.
They feel they should be able to choose where their charity money goes.
Therefore when they give money to charities of their choice, they don't want the government taking that money and giving it to charities they don't like.
If you remove deductions for donations to charity, remove all of them. If you don't like people taking deductions for money given to the church that's against abortion. Then don't expect a reduction for giving money to the organization that's pro gay marriage. I trust my judgement on where my charity money goes, far more than the government's judgement.
I wonder how many of the supposedly "religious" charitable givers would continue their largess if it didn't save them tax?
I think there should still be deductions (if we maintain the current tax system) for donations to religious organizations. But I think there should be some oversight by the gov't into how much of the church's income is spent in charitable endeavors and how much in political campaigning, ect. Tax the churches on whatever they spend in political campaigning. That would quickly cure that issue.
Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but rather we have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.
- -- Aristotle
Believe nothing on the faith of traditions, even though they have been held in honor for many generations and in diverse places. Do not believe a thing because many people speak of it. Do not believe on the faith of the sages of the past. Do not believe what you yourself have imagined, persuading yourself that a God inspires you. Believe nothing on the sole authority of your masters and priests. After examination, believe what you yourself have tested and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto.
- -- The Buddha
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
- -- Aristotle
Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but rather we have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.
- -- Aristotle
Believe nothing on the faith of traditions, even though they have been held in honor for many generations and in diverse places. Do not believe a thing because many people speak of it. Do not believe on the faith of the sages of the past. Do not believe what you yourself have imagined, persuading yourself that a God inspires you. Believe nothing on the sole authority of your masters and priests. After examination, believe what you yourself have tested and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto.
- -- The Buddha
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
- -- Aristotle
But is it justifiable constitutionally?
BTW, the government has an obligation to provide services on an equal basis. Can you guarantee the same impartiality for all charitable organizations?
Practically speaking, it seems we get more "bang for the buck" with government service providers.
Imagine giving a tax deduction to the Knights Templar if they waged our wars.
For many of the charitable works of religious organizations, we get more bang for our buck thru religious organizations. Look at how much of the money actually gets to the people in need. For many religious groups, they provide staffing and other overhead from the general funds, so any specific donations will reach the needs in greater amounts.
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