Business of Giving: Investing in Our Future-Minyanville

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Business of Giving: Investing in Our Future

C Warren Moses Aug 27, 2008 10:00 am

Business of Giving: Investing in Our Future


		Charities, social programs essential to recovery.

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We all know the saying, “it’s the economy, stupid.” Well, I’m going to go one step further: “It’s the deficit, stupid.”

On July 28, the White House announced that there would be a $482 billion deficit for 2009. The forecast is based largely on planned increases in federal spending, coupled with anticipated declines in corporate income tax collections and economic growth at a meager 1.6%. And it doesn’t even take the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- or the $25 billion bailout of Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE) -- into account.

But there are other sectors of the economy where spending -- or should I say need -- is increasing.

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The New York Times reports “Spending on some domestic programs -- like veterans’ medical care, unemployment benefits and food and nutrition assistance -- is growing faster than in the comparable period last year.”

Is this a surprise to anyone? Unemployment is up. Food prices are up. People need help, and they need it now.

But do you want to know my biggest fear? It’s this: As we search for ways to dig our way out of this deficit, the first thing to get slashed will be social programs providing the very safety net that keeps people from homelessness, chronic illness and hunger. Maybe it’s my biggest fear because I know it’s happened before - and it’s sure to happen again, unless things turn around soon.


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HUMAN, POVERTY, PROGRAMS, JUSTICE, JAILS

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08-27-2008, 2:22 pm
Charitable groups are having problems retaining volunteers in part because the price of gas is so high and mileage reimbursement rates set by Congress are abysmally low. As of this writing, businesses can deduct 58.5 cents per mile but charitable org Read More

Brad Oneill

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08-27-2008, 2:36 pm
Government doesn't belong in the business of human capital management that should be the territory of charities. By the way all those people weened from foodstamps are they better off today or did they die in the streets. I think you will fin Read More

Davita Pray

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08-27-2008, 5:43 pm
I certainly agree with your assessment. But are the churches not doing the work because the government is involved or is the government involved because the churches arent stepping in? I believe its more of the latter. Throughout my l Read More

Dan Conine

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08-27-2008, 10:29 pm
It puts money back into the local economy. If we stopped the government and churches and corporations from stealing the best people and incentive cash away from local communities and hauling it away in Brinks trucks, perhaps the 'need' fo Read More


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