Health and Human Services (HHS) is ending the Obama rule (not law) banning discrimination on sexual orientation, gender identity and religion and the boo birds are out in full force. Of course, beyond the setting major policy by fiat, as Obama was wont to do, this issue raises an argument I have made in the past. Why not let these organizations who receive grant money stand on their own without the largesse of the state? “WHOA” you say? As the TV ad says, wait, there is more.
There is a huge bureaucracy behind the grant giving process. As you can see from this one piece, there are many arguments created when you collect and spend this kind of money. Someone’s ox gets fed while another is gored. The fights only mean more money does not find its way to the intended beneficiaries. We survived quite well in the past without the intervention of the government on the kinds of things these organizations do. Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) exist and do quite well without government support. I am still looking for a government run program that is run efficiently. So how about this?
Instead of the inefficient and expensive government pass through, why not allow taxpayers to determine what organizations to support? The mechanism to do this is in place already. Allow for a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes for monetary and in-kind donations to bonafide non-profit organizations (501(c)(3)). Those of us already paying through general taxes can then choose which of these organizations we deem worthy of our hard-earned dollars. This reduces the number of people whose sole job is to determine who gets what and how much and we relieve the organization of having to jump through hoops dealing with the bloated and inefficient bureaucracy.
What this really does is takes back the power of the people. Instead of politicians standing in front of those committed to helping others regaling on how they brought home the bacon, it will be the very people who provided the funds. Might the organization have to do more to attract those dollars? Perhaps, but charitable giving is one of the most self-rewarding things a person can do. Once the transition of keeping more of your money and being taught how to better find happiness in how it is spent takes hold, we will find a greater sense of contributing and ownership.
Current Day Publius 