> given that our system is what it is, I do donate quite a bit to charity because I can afford it and because I see worthy causes around me. Which is the whole

> given that our system is what it is, I do donate quite a bit to charity because I can afford it and because I see worthy causes around me. Which is the whole point of the government encouraging donations to charities by giving tax breaks, your worthy causes aren't my worthy causes so would go underfunded if they were up to majority rule. As it is you get to "vote with your pocketbook" which is about as pure as democracy gets.