$241 bilion out of a multi trillion dollar economy? I beg to differ. Does the average Corporation give based upon it's love for the poor, or even its' own employees? The "gift" column of annual bonuses is a write-off not charity. I don't think it's love of fellow human as much as to balance the books and save lost income through tax breaks. As to the much is given quote, then how much are we to require of Israel (since they get by far the most of our charity and, if I remember rightly, it was ostensibly because of this that the wtc was blown up)? Is giveing 87 Billion to Corporations to build for Iraqis charity? That's my money they are being charitable with, and I could use it for my family and friends in America.
But happy, happy joy joy for those who feel called upon to report all their charity and prove they are kind. I just gave $30.00 worth of games to my neighbor for their kid , didn't report it, wouldn't want to because it would demean the act itself and call into question my motive. But if every American gave at that rate, the total would be in the billions annually, so its really not as much as it may appear.
So give to the 'charity', remember the receipt. Give to a human receipt not necessary. Hope this incites reply.

Just because charity is a tax write off does not mean that the one who gave it didn't sacrafice. Sure they are forgiven the taxes on the amount that they have given. Being tax exempt dosen't mean they get their money back as many seem to think. I think your comment is very negative but its not surprising. People are always looking for anything non-possitive. Look what they did to Jesus when He was here... GCJ

First of all the commoner gives to charity but fills out the short form for which there is no charity line. I don't think one could call giving $30 to neighborhood kids negative. It is not true that the more one makes the more one gives willingly and with best wishes. FDR's tax structure proved that: If you, the wealthy, don't give back to the community, we"ll make damn sure you do by taxing you at the 90+percentile.

of course we're chariatable, we'll give u the arab kid 2 cents rite b4 we blow up is house, send in troops to slaughter his parents like animals and then invade their country to "liberate" them... do u feel nice and warm inside yet?

Machiavelli: While we're on that subject, lets not forget the children whose parents were not able to return home from their jobs on Setember 11, 2001 because they were slaughtered like animals. I feel just fine inside. GCJ

so we respond by bombing more civilians? im sure the ppl who died on 9/11 would feel so honored that the result of their death was the voiding of our constitution by the patriot act and even more unnessacary deaths

If you feel the patriot act violates the constitution then file a lawsuit. Talk is cheap.

Then again, I don't have a problem with US actions overseas.

Hey, this is great. Something I could talk about for ages again. Two topics started by the same person on the same night. Well, it's 2 o'clock, I guess I should say the same morning. Anyways. You say we aren't charitable? Right, so when you go to a party for some kid that you happen to know you don't think about how the kid will feel when he/she recieves the gift? It's human nature to give. That's something planted in all of us by God. He gave his only son so that we would be able to go to heaven with him. He is the creator and he put perfect attributes in us all. Doing what is right should never be something you worry about the masses of America doing. The majority tends to be doing the right thing in this grand nation of ours. Charity is just one thing that when you participate you have to feel good about doing. Why wouldn't we give? It's epected out of humans to give to less fortunate. Who cares if they do it for the gradification? You won't get it because most people give and it doesn't matter if you give for gradification or to get rid of taxes once you do even if it "hurts" a little in the long run giving is just one thing we do. Accept it. There are reasons other than greed that convince people to be charitable.

Well, all I have left to sat right now is...

Capt. over and out!

im saying the horrible atrocities we commit far outweighs whateva chartiable donations we occasionaly make, and ur assoiciating god's will with american will. that is far from accurate. plus im atheist so i do not take that argument into account

I'm just saying that God put it in all of us to do what is right. If you don't believe what I'm saying it's not my fault. I look at everything by how I think God sees it. He really did create us and he really did put perfect intentions in our will. Whether people accept it is up to them. I just want you to know that God loves you man. Stop being so negative and maybe you could understand why this is such a great country.
In God We Trust. Ring any bells. Our constitution was based on the ten commandments and I believe that if you do anything against what God says you have sinned. Most religions have the same principals and so I would have to say that the good though often times out weighed by the bad is there and is in my opinion much more noticeable in this country.
I don't care if you disagree but I think you should maybe think about the good along with the bad. It tends to make you feel better. I know.
Well...
Capt. over and out!

Humans commit atrocities all the time the world over. The difference is that unlike most, the United States actually give to charity in large numbers.

Pick a country of any significance and you'll find that its done many bad things. What else is new?

in return to the Cornbread, the constitution also states that state and religion must be kept seperate. and just to make sumthing clear, i am not anti-american. It would make me a hypocrite since i couldnt even say this without freedom of speech, i am simply defending another countries's citizen's right to live, and emphasis the fact that religious arguments should not be drawn into political arguments. If we do, then we'll end up with another middle east or another north ireland.

Well I don't have enough money to have my rights fought for me, nor do I possess the time to read law for the next however long it takes to do it myself.

I think it's all great that someone is getting some help somewhere but being the sceptic I am, I would research the charity before spending my money. There are good charities and there are bad ones where administration sucks up so much of the cost that only a minute amount of it gets to do any good.

The President of the United States of America is getting pounded with letters everyday as are senators and representatives asking them to please nullify the Patriot Act. So many of us are trying to do something about it. Unfortuneatly since we don't have the money we don't really have rights and no one from poverty law has stepped up too the plate.

hi