Thursday, July 28, 2005

The Highlander News-Guest Commentary - Givers need philanthropic humility

The Highlander News: "Guest Commentary - Givers need philanthropic humility

by Marvin Olasky

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rich hunters offsetting the costs of their African safaris by donating mounted heads of exotic animals to a Nebraska museum and claiming huge tax deductions. A Tennessee foundation created to improve education among the poor paying its director several million dollars. A tax-exempt hospital charity in Minnesota sending employees on trips to Hawaii and Grand Cayman Island, and executives on a three-day wine tour of Napa Valley to help them find their 'moral center.'

Those are some of the stories that emerged from a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing this spring on charitable giving abuses. Committee Chairman Charles Grassley concluded, 'It's time for comprehensive reforms to shut down personal enrichment at the needy's expense.' He's right, but the arrogance of government and foundation officials at the needy's expense is an even greater problem."

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