Do you financially support your cause?

[crisi]

Some.

There are a lot of causes I support philosophically, but not all of them do I choose to support financially. Its a matter of priorities.

 

[tlbwriter]

Yes. In fact, we just raised our contribution to a cause that may be losing its government funding.

 

[NY Disney fan]

This year I have finacially supported a wonderful dance school in my neighborhood. They teach dance to kids (and adults) for only a small donation or even free. They don't turn anyone away based on their inability to pay. Its such a wondeful cause and the teachers are top notch. They have tap/ballet shoes for any students who need them.

When you enter the class you can either put money in the donation jar or not!

 

[SFWife]

I am willing/and I do donate to my favorite social service organizations. I donate to Planned Parenthood, NPR, the Arts, my son's schools for supplies, equipment, political campaigns, Cat Welfare and the Humane Society, Homeless Shelters and Homeless Families Foundations, community centers, Food Banks, Senior Centers, Heiffer International and many I have not thought of here. I am not willing, however, to let the taxpayer-the very wealthy-out of their responsibility. As a very moderate member of the middle class, my tax percentage is at least 10% higher than those earning over $500K a yeara. THAT is not fair. They should pay the same percentage of income as I do in taxes. So should corporations. The loopholes should be closed. Fair taxation should be the law of the land.

While it is commendable that you choose to support causes you believe in, it is not the taxpayer responsibility to fund any of these causes or organizations, as they have no constitutional authority within the government to force any of us to do so. I choose to support many organizations, most directly opposite of yours, none of which receive government funding of any kind. I wouldn't expect you to like your tax dollars going to fund pro-life, conservative, 2nd ammendment groups like Choose Life, NRA, Heritage Foundation, and such, just as mine shouldn't have to go to fund organizations that promote agendas and politicians I morally object to, like Planned Parenthood, NPR, NOW, etc.

If you like a cause-great. Go donate your time and money and anything else you have to give, whatever that cause may be. Government should be left out of the equation for all of them. I guarantee that all of these groups would be much better off if we as private citizens had more of our own money to do with as we choose instead of funneling a pitance of our dollars their way, often with strings galore attached to them. Our money would go further and be more wisely spent, if it were able to come from our own pockets instead of through government channels. For every dollar they get from the government, there was likely about 3 dollars spent in administrative costs before-hand.

 

[hsmamato2]

yes-

 

[tlbwriter]

For every dollar they get from the government, there was likely about 3 dollars spent in administrative costs before-hand.

Do you have a source for this statistic?

 

[Colleen27]

While it is commendable that you choose to support causes you believe in, it is not the taxpayer responsibility to fund any of these causes or organizations, as they have no constitutional authority within the government to force any of us to do so. I choose to support many organizations, most directly opposite of yours, none of which receive government funding of any kind. I wouldn't expect you to like your tax dollars going to fund pro-life, conservative, 2nd ammendment groups like Choose Life, NRA, Heritage Foundation, and such, just as mine shouldn't have to go to fund organizations that promote agendas and politicians I morally object to, like Planned Parenthood, NPR, NOW, etc.

I agree when it comes to causes that are primarily concerned with influencing the lawmaking process, but many causes have nothing to do with politics and concern themselves only with serving the community. Those are the ones I believe should be funded, because they often provide something essential to the areas they serve (whether a homeless shelter or a food bank or an animal shelter or educational/arts programs) or to the nation as a whole. Personally I'd like to see a test something like is used for religious tax-exemption, so that we're not funding lobbying groups but can continue to support local efforts to meet basic needs and improve quality of life.

 

[classiccat]

As an animal lover here too, I worked as a volunteer for many years at the Animal Welfare League in Ohio. I live in FL now and donate to the humane society here. Florida also has a spay/neuter and release program to help prevent the unwanted pet population from growing. Since we have been here we have taken in two stray cats to have spayed/ neutered and released back where we found them. They also are given a rabies shot and clip the right ear at the same time so if brought in or seen again thay know its already been spayed/neutered. They do this free of charge and I think its wonderful program. I should also mention that they do try to find homes for them first but can only house so many at a time.

 

[Planogirl]

While it is commendable that you choose to support causes you believe in, it is not the taxpayer responsibility to fund any of these causes or organizations, as they have no constitutional authority within the government to force any of us to do so. I choose to support many organizations, most directly opposite of yours, none of which receive government funding of any kind. I wouldn't expect you to like your tax dollars going to fund pro-life, conservative, 2nd ammendment groups like Choose Life, NRA, Heritage Foundation, and such, just as mine shouldn't have to go to fund organizations that promote agendas and politicians I morally object to, like Planned Parenthood, NPR, NOW, etc.

If you like a cause-great. Go donate your time and money and anything else you have to give, whatever that cause may be. Government should be left out of the equation for all of them. I guarantee that all of these groups would be much better off if we as private citizens had more of our own money to do with as we choose instead of funneling a pitance of our dollars their way, often with strings galore attached to them. Our money would go further and be more wisely spent, if it were able to come from our own pockets instead of through government channels. For every dollar they get from the government, there was likely about 3 dollars spent in administrative costs before-hand.

I believe that it is the government's responsibility to help take care of those who truly need help. The phrase "promote the general welfare" means that to me. I would agree that it should stay away from political groups however and I also agree that there is way too much waste.

I worry that this is political talk though so now I'll shut my mouth!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I work at a shelter every single week. I also like to make sure people understand the importance of spaying and neutering there pets, All pets that come from us are already done. but i still feels its a very important topic.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

I support the causes & groups that I care about to the best of my financial ability. And with my time when I can.

 

[cristielf]

With all of the austerity measures being proposed, I got to thinking about the things that people are passionate about and the possibility of them being defunded or cut back.

I am passionate about the over-population of pets (cats specifically for me). I regularly donate money to the organization of my choice that I feel does the most with the money that they receive. I don't expect the government to fund these things (although I am certain that some funds make their way to this cause).

Without turning this political, are you willing to fund your cause and not expect others to fund it via taxes?

Yes, I donate to Right to Life PAC, Heritage Foundation, Disabled Vets so I'm sure you know my stance about taxes. and March of Dimes and my most important cause is the American Cancer Society. I'm a survivor and so is my mother. I also am part of a group of a parents volunteer group that knit hats and makes care packages for the local Children's Hospital and I volunteer there. I've headed fundraisers for cancer through my son's school and like to raise money for RFL.
My sons were both premature and made it though just fine, so that really means something to me.

BTW.. I LOVE your siggie!

 

[Disfan3]

HA! If you think the NRA does not have a hand in the pockets of the government and tax payers, think again.

 

[Muushka]

HA! If you think the NRA does not have a hand in the pockets of the government and tax payers, think again.

That, to me, is the point of the discussion. Get the government out of supporting different causes and let the people who want them to exist, support them.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

Yes.

 

[EKW]

In reverse...my cause-of-choice is such that I can support it by not buying things from certain companies. I also support it with my feet and my presence.

 

[phamy76]

I can not financially give to charities, but I prefer to give my time.

 

[kirstenb1]

We financially contribute to autism society of central va, and the red cross, and habitat for humanity. I have no idea what if any the government contributes to these causes.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Huge supporter of Planned Parenthood. They do more to prevent abortions than any other organization! I have also significantly volunteered my time there.

ACLU for their support of the Constitution and their willingness to take unpopular positions.

Also support an animal sanctuary in West Virginia and a leukemia organization.