To the Editor:
I am saddened by the Obama administration’s position on the economy. At a time when so many people are out of work and desperate for employment, our country needs fiscal common sense. I’ve read Obama’s proposed jobs bill and it will hurt people if it passes.
The $500 billion bill won’t help put people back to work instead it will raise taxes and hurt the economy even more.
The Obama administration wants to eliminate the tax deduction for charitable giving. This would have a horrendous effect on charities, churches, and civic groups in Maine.
Most Mainers are good honest people who work hard for their money and support their families as best they can. Unfortunately times are tough and families are facing higher prices for necessities such as food, shelter, fuel, and clothing.
Local charities, churches, and civic groups rely heavily on tax-deductible donations and volunteers to help. When disaster strikes the first to reach out and help are our neighbors, churches, local charities, and civic groups. I’ve yet to see a group of government bureaucrats manning a bake sale or spaghetti supper after a local fire.
Yet if the Obama administration eliminates the tax deduction for charitable giving then many worthy charities will go belly up.
Top economists predict that much of the donated funds by philanthropists will be drastically reduced. This could have a horrendous effect on medical research funds, scholarships for college, and the arts. What will the long-term effects be on research facilities, shelters, care centers, and museums if this legislation is allowed to pass?
To make matters worse, the Obama administration also wants a $1.5 trillion dollar tax increase.
Unfortunately Washington is going down the wrong economic path yet again. Raising taxes won’t help the private sector or get people back to work. Higher taxes won’t create more jobs because real jobs are created by the private sector.
Bureaucrats create more bureaucracy, that’s what they do. Instead of helping the economy Obama wants to raise taxes and eliminate the tax deduction for charitable giving.
Lisa Hunt
Newcastle
