Charity Donations in Lieu of Taxes

Re Arianna Huffington’s proposal to allow taxpayers to pay up to $1,000 of their tax bill to “poverty-fighting charities” rather than to the IRS, Column Right, Dec. 17:

I’m behind Huffington’s plan 100%--provided the government deducts my $1,000 tax credit directly from the still-bloated defense budget, rather than from federal programs which try to help the same people about whom Huffington professes to care.

Surely, Arianna, you don’t believe that giving with one hand what you take away with the other truly represents “generosity and compassion,” do you?

MICHAEL CHASKES

Los Angeles

* Huffington writes that a $1,000 tax credit for donations to poverty-fighting charities would provide billions of dollars for grass-roots groups, establish a hierarchy of charitable priorities and strengthen the frail bonds of the community.

It would also remove billions of dollars from our government’s budget and therefore its ability to provide needed services and reduce the deficit. And, it would necessitate a new bureaucracy to monitor just what is a poverty-fighting charity and protect us from all the scams that would proliferate to try to capture some of the easy money.

Even worse though, it would further inject government into our decisions about where to give. As Rep. John Kasich is quoted, “What is the greater crisis--the symphony or crime?” His answer is implied. And the policy would have the government steer giving, through tax credits, from cultural areas to the poverty-fighting organizations he thinks will be more effective. But many might not agree that a rich and vigorous culture with varied opportunities for participation is not important in building crime-free communities.

I want to be generous. But I also want my government to provide an adequate safety net and opportunity for all so that people in unfortunate circumstances are not forced to depend on charity (or reduced to begging) to get by.

STEVE MATTHEWS

Ventura

* Huffington’s proposal is really old hat. Giving a tax credit for donating money to private charities is an idea similar to that fostered by Herbert Hoover. The cornerstone of his idea of help for the unemployed and needy in 1932 was private donations, which was soundly rejected. She should know better.

ROBERT P. BERKMAN

Pasadena