> Suppose I pay an extra $1,000 in income taxes via a donation. This amount will not help anyone or improve the fiscal situation of the United States government

> Suppose I pay an extra $1,000 in income taxes via a donation. This amount will not help anyone or improve the fiscal situation of the United States government. It sounds like you think government waste implies $1000 is meaningless. Certainly $1000 in some private folks' pockets will materially help them.