Charities Do More to Help People Than Government

To the Editor:

Warren Goldstein accuses Republicans of wanting it both ways (“Government, Not Charity, Should Pay for Disaster Relief,” September 29), but his argument is two-sided as well.

He points the finger at politicians for making choices that “magnified” Katrina’s enormous destructive power and then argues in favor of big government. He rightly reminds us of the inability of government agencies to provide immediate relief to Katrina’s victims and then proceeds to make a case in favor of government-funded disaster relief.

I agree with Mr. Goldstein that the federal government should use taxpayer dollars to pay for the safety and protection of its citizens. That ought to be the federal government’s primary directive. But what Mr. Goldstein fails to understand is that government programs have, time and again, failed miserably — no matter which political party occupies the White House or controls the Congress — and that most taxpayers feel that their tax dollars are wasted, especially when witnessing a debacle such as the government’s response to Katrina.

Who were first on the scene to provide aid to Katrina’s victims? Nonprofit organizations like the Red Cross and — surprise — “corporate America” in the form of Home Depot and Wal-Mart, days before the military cavalry arrived.

Mr. Goldstein must also have forgotten his basic economics, disparaging “immense tax giveaways to the wealthy.” History has shown that when taxes are cut, tax revenues increase because businesses and consumers have more disposable income to spend — and to give away to charity, which they do to the tune of $248-billion per year. The largest of those gifts come from the “wealthy” that Mr. Goldstein is so quick to paint with tired class-warfare rhetoric.

There is a proper role for both government and charity in disaster relief. The question is: Who is more effective at providing that relief? If Mr. Goldstein wishes to send his charitable dollars to the U.S. Treasury, that’s his choice.

In my mind, the nonprofit organizations I and millions of others support are doing a far better job of making this world a better place than the federal government ever can, and they will be the recipients of my philanthropy — and my gratitude — whenever a disaster of this magnitude occurs.

Juan C. Ros
Director of Gift Planning
The ALS Association
Calabasas Hills, Calif.