Guess why Facebook CEO was able to give 100 million to education?

[reelop19]

Because this isn't a communist or socialist country. Did you know that the US gives more to charity than all other countries combined every year? Oh and to top things off the money went to New Jersey where Chris Christie is the man.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1315097/Inside-Mark-Zuckerbergs-run-house-Facebook-founder-gives-rare-glimpse-private-life-Oprah.html

[KenC]

You can't give to charity in socialist countries? That's news to me. Which countries prohibit that?

Who didn't know that the US is the most charitable nation (in sheer monetary amount)? Though not more than all other countries combined. If you adjust the amount as a percentage of gross national income, however, we're pretty far down on the list. I don't say that to diminish our charitable nature though as $28bil is a enormous amount of money.

[Massive Lee]

Because this isn't a communist or socialist country.

You're not helping plea your case by using such stupid arguments. In fact, it does the opposite.

BTW Isn't that $100 million grant a great exemple of socialism - which is basically helping your fellows instead of exploiting them?

[z31maniac]

How much have you guys donated to charity in the last 12 months?

[assoutE12]

^ how much did you donate this year?

[KenC]

How much have you guys donated to charity in the last 12 months?

I'm not sure how you'd convert it to a dollar amount, but for about the last 18 months I've been volunteering 16hrs/week at a local homeless youth center and OHSU doing clinical research (mostly CDC projects).

[assoutE12]

That doesn't count, you have to donate money, then write it off and not have to pay as much in taxes.

[Pac1373]

I'm not sure how you'd convert it to a dollar amount, but for about the last 18 months I've been volunteering 16hrs/week at a local homeless youth center and OHSU doing clinical research (mostly CDC projects).

I think we have a winar.
so much more meaning than stroking a check for $100 and getting a tax recipt.

so based on say a low amount like $10/hour...like $12,000....
plus the benefit of feeling the difference you are making.

I fucking salute you sir.

(I also kow your time is likely worth more than twice that ammount, if applied as work time)

[assoutE12]

I will say I'm in no way against getting tax write offs for donating to charity, I think that it does do a lot to make rich people donate more and that is a good thing.

[KenC]

I will say I'm in no way against getting tax write offs for donating to charity, I think that it does do a lot to make rich people donate more and that is a good thing.

Indeed. Most of the time, the receiving organization can put it to better use.

[z31maniac]

^ how much did you donate this year?

Nada, zip, zilch. Just curious mainly.

I will never claim to be a generous person either. Thankfully my wife is, she organizes numerous charity events every year through the Salon she works at.

So KenC, 2 questions.
1. If you're in favor of donations being tax write-offs, do you support Obama's desire to limit the tax benefits of said donations?
2. Would you be doing those things with your time if you weren't trying to get into Med school?

[pureaudio]

I think we have a winar.
so much more meaning than stroking a check for $100 and getting a tax recipt.

I have certain charities I support, and the only thing I do is write a check, I'd like to think it still counts for something. The tax deduction has nothing to do with my intent but it is nice. I also donate items and services to education through my company but the deductions are definitely more of a driving force there. I have no issues with people donating purely for tax purposes, I think a lot of good comes from it, even more so than the possible exploitation.

[assoutE12]

When it comes to taxes I'm sure I agree with you to some degree, I think that the uber rich are taxed enough as it is and I am sure as fuck against death tax, probably because it affects me. Problem is all that is tied up with right wing religious nuts, hunting wolfs in Wyoming, unemployed/poor people need to starve and die.

[KenC]

I have certain charities I support, and the only thing I do is write a check, I'd like to think it still counts for something. The tax deduction has nothing to do with my intent but it is nice. I also donate items and services to education through my company but the deductions are definitely more of a driving force there. I have no issues with people donating purely for tax purposes, I think a lot of good comes from it, even more so than the possible exploitation.

Word. Writing checks is great, especially when an organization already exists to put your money to good work.

[KenC]

So KenC, 2 questions.
1. If you're in favor of donations being tax write-offs, do you support Obama's desire to limit the tax benefits of said donations?
2. Would you be doing those things with your time if you weren't trying to get into Med school?

1. I don't think you should be able to write off the majority of your taxes. I'm a little ignorant on the subject as I file a 1040EZ and I've never had a "write off." What's the limit now, and what's the proposed limit?

2. My work schedule (three 12s) afforda me a lot of free time. I'd still be volunteering at the homeless youth center as it's an amazing organization) regardless of résumé buffers. I'd probably still be volunteering for clinical research, but maybe in a different context than I am now. Overall, I'd probably be doing it less though as 16hrs a week is more consuming than I originally anticipated.