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The Season of Giving by Jack Wellman 2007-12-17 09:03:45 |
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For the world in general, the Christmas season or Holiday season, is the most giving time of the year. For corporations, it is no doubt the same thing. Tax write offs, as a way of reducing a company’s tax, is more common than known. The tax structure makes it necessary for some business’s to lose money on certain ventures. This is actually encouraged. One company I do cost-analysis for has a division that they intentionally want to lose money. The loss is then subtracted from the company’s profit tax. Just as people have tax deductions, like for children or a home-related expenses, companies use the government to give them deductions back for what they legitimately did not deserve. It is outrageous to me that a company purposely loses money to, in fact, make money. This is close to stealing funds from legitimate social needs that the government can used during declared emergencies. But tax write-offs aren’t what the “govern meant“! The greatest givers still are and I am convinced will remain to be, the private citizens. They are by far the most altruistic. Yes, they too get tax reductions by what is considered charitable donations, but their donations have direct impact and effect: at the point of the beneficiary. This is most frequently where the needs are the greatest. This is taking it to the streets, the shelters, the shut-ins…those deemed expendable by most of society. The elderly are seen as a debit to companies, corporations (as in retirees) and society, but to the citizen, a most worthy cause to support. There was no one more cynical about the citizen than economist Arthur Brooks. He was convinced that Christians, for example, were probably the most stingy givers of all. He launched a three year research project and concluded he was wrong. His findings were published in his book “Who Really Cares? He totally changed his mind when he found out that secularists, liberals and the rich gave the absolute least. Based upon Brooks’ findings, giant companies and CEO’s gave absolutely the least, in proportion to their income. The poorest 15% of society gave the most, again in proportion to their income. He also found that people of faith are 38% more likely to give to charity, 52% more inclined to do volunteer work, 350% more donations than the general public, 57% more likely to help a homeless person. Do your homework and research any charitable organization before you give, since there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing. Feed the Children is one of the most highly rated based upon needs for children. Citizens who directly impact their own community with volunteering or donations more likely than not, get more for their money. Fewer middle men equals higher funds at the direct point of need. Even giving of yourself, holding the door, smiling at the clerk, giving generous tips at the restaurant, all create that positive, ripple effect of good will and cheer. When those who have the most, give less than those not rich. They rob themselves of precious things, and those who have not much. The giver knows such fine returns, than those who want for more. And when given they do receive, more than they sent the poor. Ovi_magazine christmas Finance Economy |
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