Even if that's true, there are at least two problems with that argument (at least as you've said it): * There's no guarantee that those charities are providing

Even if that's true, there are at least two problems with that argument (at least as you've said it): * There's no guarantee that those charities are providing the right sort of support for the poor. For example, the thread you're replying to is about worse schooling for the poor, so are charities directly addressing that or just providing after school classes (less good), or even just food handouts to adults after it's already past the best time to educate them (far worse but unfortunately the most likely)? * Are they even directed at the most poor at all? For example, it's common for the rich to donate to cancer research charities, which helps the rich more than it helps poor people who can't afford healthcare at all (but is still a good cause, don't get me wrong).