During this time of the year, people tend to be more giving toward charities. United Way campaigns start up at work; requests come in the mail from the Salvation Army or maybe St. Jude’s. When I give to charity, one thing I take into account is how much of my donation goes to that particular cause, and how much for administrative overhead.

Some charities are run very well and have low overhead. Others spend more. They may have high CEO salaries, or are constantly fundraising.

When people donate out of their own pockets, they hold charities to a higher standard. Yet that isn’t the case with government charity. By government charity, I am referring to welfare. For example, it costs the federal government about 69 cents to distribute one dollar in subsidies. I don’t know what that amount is for individual states, but I am certain it’s up there, too. In any event, that  is a lot of wasted money that could be doing good.

What I am pointing out is that if people want their donations to have the greatest impact, then charitable giving from the government should end. All welfare should be eliminated, regardless if it is for children, the sick or even the elderly.

Just imagine how much more the public could give, and how much more those in need would be helped with the money people would save. And charities would be much more accountable for their results.

Tim McClure, Lisbon Falls