John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”.
Karl Marx opined in his book, Das Kapital, that capitalism would fail as soon as the people learned to vote themselves money from the treasury.
The reason I juxtapose these two ideas is that we have moved far away from the former and closer to the latter. In essence we have become an entitlement society. Because of this attitude, many Americans have relied on the largess of government to support themselves and the institutions they belong to. It’s time to get many of these snouts out of the treasury trough. And ask people to become more self-reliant.
Illinois should take the lead in developing a vibrant Independent Sector. Less reliance on government to solve our problems will go along way in solving the states current fiscal crisis. Americans are the most generous people on earth. Illinoisans are no exception. Isn’t time we reward that generosity and build a strong Independent Sector? This is vital to creating a transfer of reliance on money in the treasury to an Independent Sector that solves problems locally and in a more efficient manner.
One way to make this change is to initiate a tax deduction for charitable contributions on the Illinois Income Tax Return. Currently, the state form IL-1040 has a “Step 10” in wish you can donate in any amount to a list of causes delineated on the form. You are not allowed to deduct this generosity. Instead you reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe should you choose to make a donation. Why not change this completely and allow Illinois taxpayers a deduction of all charitable contributions by reducing their adjustable gross income by the amount they donate. Cap the amount at an even $5000.00.
A “form Ch” could be created to itemize these charitable donations. Of course the donations would only be allowed to registered charities in the state of Illinois. The state legislature could set up the process by which this is accomplished. The “form Ch” could also be a means for recognized charities to raise funds, similar to the ones listed in “Step 10” do now. The state should charge a fee for such collection and distribution to the charity. A taxpayer would get the full benefit of reducing their taxable gross income through their generosity.
It is vital that Illinois create an environment for a vibrant Independent Sector. A charitable deduction for the Illinois taxpayer would go a long way towards achieving that. During these tough economic times it is important to wean the so-called independent agencies off the government teet and bring them into a truly independent status. The consequence would be to develop less reliance on government largess and more self-sufficiency.
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