Ari Fleischer: I'm Limiting Charitable Deductions Due To Smaller Tax Breaks

[DC Al Fine]

While yes this is a dick move, I do have one question. Of those here complaining, when have you ever yourself donated anywhere close to what he does to charity? I do not know myself how much he donates but I am willing to bet it is more in one check than anyone complaining here has their entire lives given to charity.

Well personally I give about 15% of my income, in the form of tithing, sponsoring a 3rd world kid, and giving to the local crisis pregnancy center.

Now that I've justified that.... this guy is a freaking asshole!!!!!!

[DC Al Fine]

It is often said that conservatives tend to give more to charity… if it is with motivations like this, the point is lost.

IIRC a study in Canada that ranked groups by there charitable giving. It went:

1) Religious conservative
2) Religious liberal
3) Secular liberal
4) Secular conservative

So it seems to be more to do with religiosity than anything else. Presumably the religious people are doing it because God says so, not for the tax deduction, but your point definitely stands with the secular right.

[DC Al Fine]

It is often said that conservatives tend to give more to charity… if it is with motivations like this, the point is lost.

This is only "true" because their churches count as "charity." Not how I'd define charity, but I don't work for the IRS.

I wonder how all the nuns working as nurses and teachers are supported? In all serious  though, churches spend a lot of money on helping the needy, so it's hardly fair to discount all the money given to churches as "not charity"

On another note, in Canada, religious people still give more even if you don't count churches as charities, which really makes the seculars look like cheapskates.