I agree that this is a bold claim. However, tax-deductible philanthropy is profoundly undemocratic, because it effectively amounts to everyone else subsidizing

I agree that this is a bold claim. However, tax-deductible philanthropy is profoundly undemocratic, because it effectively amounts to everyone else subsidizing the philanthropic preferences of the ultra-wealthy. I think the onus is therefore on proponents of private philanthropy to prove its efficacy outweighs its democratic deficit.