Many Americans who are doing well, either by an accident of birth or by working hard to overcome disadvantages and bad decisions, have no problem whatsoever donating both material and time resources to charities that help those less fortunate. What they don't want is to turn that all over to the government and pay more taxes to support it. It's a fundamental difference in belief of the purpose of government. The Left believes it's the responsibility of government to care for the weak. Small government conservatives, like me, don't agree. It is not the responsibility of government. Rather, it's the responsibility of humanity.

So I give money to several charities, and did so before I started itemizing deductions. I also volunteer for events held by the Connecticut Special Olympics and will be a participant in a polar bear plunge in March to help them raise money. But I oppose government taking away my ability to choose to make charitable gifts and making it mandatory via taxation.