Former head of California Community Foundation begs Washington: Don't make charitable deduction debate into contest of rich v. poor.
"With tax day upon us, this is one of the few times of the year when most of us think about the charitable tax deduction one way or the other. So let's not beat each other over the head with it. Mrs. Lumarda never got a tax deduction for her generosity; Ace Cain did, but it was the somewhat counterintuitive act of altruism that sustained them both. The charitable tax deduction is just chicken soup — it doesn't hurt, it may not help, but it adds to the warm glow." -- Jack Shakely, the Los Angeles Times
