Other Peoples’ Money

August 28, 2009

One of the things that makes America great is the generosity of its people.  Every week millions of churchgoers contribute millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes, from education to feeding the hungry to counseling ministry for the hurting.  Besides that, people respond with more millions to various drives to further research for multiple diseases and relief projects around the world.

It is telling then, that when politicians’ charitable giving is revealed publicly, it seems those who are most concerned that the government collect every dollar of taxes owed for use in the multiplied welfare programs are also the least likely to have given charitable donations in any significant amount.

Back during the election of 2000, it was revealed that Senator Al Gore had given a grand total of about $350 to charity the year before.  That’s incredible to me, since he is a multimillionaire and, by comparison, I contribute several times that amount PER MONTH!

Similarly, the contributions of Vice President Joe Biden were published recently and his annual giving was even less than Gore’s.  This led me to think that perhaps Democrats just think the government should do what the churches and nonprofits do, so they consider that they have given through taxes.

Then, another surprise.  It has now come out that both Treasury Secretary Geithner AND House Ways and Means Committee (the body that writes tax law) Chairman Charles Wrangle have not paid tens of thousands of dollars in taxes that they owe.  Geithner paid his so he could be confirmed, but Wrangle’s “mistake” has just come to light.  It seems he “forgot” about half a million dollars in income!  Not to mention thousands more in stocks and rental property income.

I guess this means that, whether the charity is done by nonprofits or the government, “Other Peoples’ Money” should be used and these liberal politicians don’t think they should have to contribute anything, either through giving OR taxes.