White House, nonprofit groups battle over charitable deductions [Obama Hates Churches & Charity]

Washington Post ^ | 12/13/12 | Jerry Markon and Peter Wallsten

[SoFloFreeper]

The White House and the nation’s most prominent charities are embroiled in a tense, behind-the-scenes debate over President Obama’s push to scale back the nearly century-old tax deduction on donations that the charities say is crucial for their financial health.

In a series of recent meetings and calls, top White House aides have pressed nonprofit groups to line up behind the president’s plan for reducing the federal deficit and averting the year-end “fiscal cliff,” according to people familiar with the talks.

In part, the White House is seeking to win the support of nonprofit groups for Obama’s central demand that income tax rates rise for upper-end taxpayers. There are early signs that several charities, whose boards often include the wealthy, are willing to endorse this change.

But the White House is also looking to limit the charitable deduction for high-income earners, and that has prompted frustration and resistance, with leaders of major nonprofit organizations, such as the United Way, the American Red Cross and Lutheran Services of America, closing ranks in opposing any change to the deduction.

[A'elian' nation]

Hey I know you’re right. Plenty of good causes. I do give to the local boy scouts. It’s just the so-called national ‘humanitarian’ groups that I just can’t stomach anymore.

I just feel like it is going to a demonrat slush fund.

[Texas resident]

We are the ants.
They are the grasshoppers.

Winter’s coming.

be the ant.

[Venturer]

Let me correct your analogy.

We are the ants.
They are the big foot that is stepping on us.

[Texas resident]

Unless we bite them.