Foundations instead of Government Programs

The radio station I’ve been listening to has been running ads trying to raise monetary support for Portland Rescue Mission. This morning they brought in a person from the organization to explain a little bit of what they do there. It was very interesting to listen to and it further solidified my thoughts on what I believe to be the proper way to help out those in need. He explained that a very little contribution could help a large amount of people out and was then asked how it was possible to do so much with so little. He explained that they strive to utilize every dollar to it’s fullest and to be “good stewards” of every dollar donated.

This whole exchange really peaked my interest as I’ve been continuing to think a great deal about taxes. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m worried about the prospect of taxes being increased for those people that are considered to be “rich”. Much of the purpose of this tax hike on the rich is to fund government programs that will provide benefits and services to those who otherwise couldn’t afford them. Basically the Robin Hood “take from the rich and give to the poor” principle, also known as the “redistribution of wealth” principle of Socialism. This is the next social policy purposed by president-elect Barack Obama.

The trouble with this policy is that it further exacerbates the problem of “Big Government” stepping in and dictating where tax payer money goes with no accountability as to how well it is being utilized. This is frustrating to many of us who pay taxes since we have very little control of our money at this point. As you can imagine, this frustration would be increased significantly to those who pay even more into the tax pool, like the “rich”. It’s this lack of control over our own money that drives people to such anger and frustration. Why do we let state and federal bureaucracies handle so much of our money when the do such a poor job at it? Why do we have so many government funded programs that have no accountability? What we end up with are programs that get taken advantage of by people who don’t need them but want a free hand out. These programs have good intentions, but good intentions are worthless without proper execution and follow through.

A close relative of mine told me over the weekend that she is losing her job with the state because so many people are abusing government funded services. So these dishonest people bleed the system dry and the result is our tax dollars not getting to the people who really need it and people are honest workers get laid off.

This is where foundations, churches, non-profit groups, and the lottery really do the most good. If people choose to give to one of these organizations they can feel good about where the money is going and not feel its being decided for them. Plus, these other organizations are smaller and operate more efficiently.

The bottom line...

Government Programs tax rich people to provide for those in need (force them to give) where as these other organizations encourage rich people to give, assure their money is working most effectively, and give ROI (not necessarily monitary). With increased tax incentives for people who give to these organizations there shouldn't be any problem with the amount of contributions made and it will give people more control over their own money.

Have I seen this before?

Gosh, this image has always worried me. Makes me think of a propaganda poster for a dictator in some impoverished country and people all over America are using it with pride.

America?

I’m reading in the news, after Sen. Barack Obama wins the presidential election, that people around the globe are dancing in the streets. Newspapers with his face on the front page are selling out as the talking heads state “people want a piece of history with the first elected black president in American history”.

Does that make him a good presidential choice? Has society become so shallow that all anyone can think about is the history made based on the color of his skin? Where is the substance? Apparently this past year everyone, including John McCain, has let the flaws of Obama’s past and the flaws of his stated positions on policy go by the way side. Over this past election year I have heard people speak of this man with such love and admiration I would think they were talking about their Savior.

Well, now their savior is here and many are acting as if we’ve been freed from the tyranny of President Bush. What tyranny? I ask. Every time some Bush hater brings up some gripe about him I do a little research and it turns out to be false. So I can’t help but conclude that people WANT to hate President Bush and they will grab at anything to support that hate, true or not. Another good one I’ve seen over the past eight years is how people ridicule Bush’s decisions, yet when asked what they’d do in his position no viable and realistic answer is found.

I did a little research on taxes after hearing about Bush supposedly cutting income taxes just for the rich. Well it turns out that EVERYONE got tax breaks (except the bottom two brackets) in 2003. An average of 2.4% from lower middle-class to upper-class and these breaks have continued through 2008. I guess we’ve all enjoyed more money in our pockets (rebates too!), but no one would want to credit that to Bush.

Here’s my source, you do the math:

http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/federalindividualratehistory-20080107.pdf


This is just one of many claims that I find to be false regarding the “terrible things” Bush has done during his presidency. The post-election talking heads were even saying that a big reason McCain lost the election was because “his party is associated with Bush”. Why is this? Why are the approval ratings so low? I just don’t see it. What I do see is a bunch of little kids who didn’t get what they wanted fast enough and then blame a figurehead (Bush) for all their problems. A bunch of kids in a candy store with a sense of entitlement.

Entitlement….meh. It’s going to kill this country.

Well, now everyone’s got the man who’s supposedly going to give them everything they want and all the Socialist countries of the world are excited at the prospect of American being part of the gang. Peddling Obama T-Shirts and praising the American people for their choice. Ah yes. Socialism, the great economic policy ensuring mediocrity for all.

I can see our founding fathers turning in their graves over the prospect of a Socialist America where Christianity and a moral rule is forgone and the European ideals that they fled from have come to rule once again.

Has it really been a year?

Ha Ha, I noticed that its been over a year since my last post. I guess it doesn't surprise me.

Well a lot has gone on in the past year. Let me recap just a bit:

1. Last June went to Florida with some friends and had a great time. We took a cruise, snorkled a reef, went to an 'MTV spring break' like spot and drank terrible liquor with shallow people, and then went to Orlando and had great time at Universal Studios.



2. I bought tickets to see The Cure in Seattle on October 8th and decided to make a little vacation out of it. Amy and I got reservations to stay at a country club in northern Idaho and then pass through Spokane to see my Aunt and Uncle. Well, The Cure ended up cancelling the Seattle show and moved it to The Gorge Ampitheater on May 25th 2008. So Amy and I went to Idaho anyway and had a great time.



3. Christmas was awesome. Of course every Christmas is awesome since its my favorite time of the year, but this one was special. Why was it special? Well because it snowed! Every year I long for a 'white Christmas' and this time it came. Now it wasn't a lot of snow, but it was enough to get excited about.



4. I quit my job at SurePower and got another job in QA at an Oregon City software company. This is a very exciting change for me as the working environment is a perfect fit. I really like the people I work with and there is a great deal of trust between management and employees resulting in the elimination of micro management. The work is very interesting and very challenging. It forces me to stretch my abilities and critical thinking. One of the best parts about this job is how close it is to my house.