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The problem is not that the money is private, but that it's donation relies on the compassion of individuals, not on laws. As it should be. Generosity should

by kirse 9y ago

The problem is not that the money is private, but that it's donation relies on the compassion of individuals, not on laws. As it should be. Generosity should not be forced on people via fear of the law (i.e the consequences for not paying your taxes). Even further, a private citizen is often far more in control of the effective distribution of their resources as compared to government.

paulddraper 9y ago
Amen. Want to help victims in Texas floodplains? Disadvantaged youth? AIDS in Africa? It's your choice. A nonprofit uses its money like crap? Or uses it in ways you don't agree with? Give to a more effective one. It's your choice. It's very hard to choose what the government will do with your assets. It's much easier to choose what a charity will do.
dieterrams 9y ago
You see it as enforced generosity. Others see it as general societal obligation to take care of its members when hit by forces not under their control. If you were hit by similar circumstances, I'm not sure you'd be as quick to denounce "forced" generosity, especially if there wasn't a sympathetic local billionaire around. That said, I'm sympathetic to the general problem of government not utilizing resources efficiently.
- kirse 9y ago
  You see it as enforced generosity. Nah, it's not a matter of perspective, because that's exactly what it is. Citizens are motivated to pay their taxes through fear of the consequences of disobeying the law. Thus, generosity that is forced on a citizen via taxes is ultimately fear-based (not compassion-based) generosity. Others see it as general societal obligation to take care of its members Which is why we Americans have started and serve in hundreds of thousands of private organizations from churches to food banks to shelters to clothing charities and more, and many are quite effective at providing in times of need. If I was hit by similar circumstances, I would go to one of these already-existing institutions and seek aid.
  - dieterrams 9y ago
    It's unfortunate that you're unable to even imagine that some people see paying taxes--for this purpose specifically, even--as an obligation, however much they may grumble about waste and "lost" income.

by kirse 9y ago

paulddraper 9y ago

Amen. Want to help victims in Texas floodplains? Disadvantaged youth? AIDS in Africa? It's your choice. A nonprofit uses its money like crap? Or uses it in ways you don't agree with? Give to a more effective one. It's your choice. It's very hard to choose what the government will do with your assets. It's much easier to choose what a charity will do.

dieterrams 9y ago

You see it as enforced generosity. Others see it as general societal obligation to take care of its members when hit by forces not under their control. If you were hit by similar circumstances, I'm not sure you'd be as quick to denounce "forced" generosity, especially if there wasn't a sympathetic local billionaire around. That said, I'm sympathetic to the general problem of government not utilizing resources efficiently.

kirse 9y ago
You see it as enforced generosity. Nah, it's not a matter of perspective, because that's exactly what it is. Citizens are motivated to pay their taxes through fear of the consequences of disobeying the law. Thus, generosity that is forced on a citizen via taxes is ultimately fear-based (not compassion-based) generosity. Others see it as general societal obligation to take care of its members Which is why we Americans have started and serve in hundreds of thousands of private organizations from churches to food banks to shelters to clothing charities and more, and many are quite effective at providing in times of need. If I was hit by similar circumstances, I would go to one of these already-existing institutions and seek aid.
- dieterrams 9y ago
  It's unfortunate that you're unable to even imagine that some people see paying taxes--for this purpose specifically, even--as an obligation, however much they may grumble about waste and "lost" income.