Contributing to a taxing list of donation options
Sort of proud of myself at the moment.
Here it is, a couple days before taxes are due, and here I am, a diligent American and California taxpayer sitting down to figure out my fair share of taxes that will keep the American/California Dream dreamy. Or at least keep both dreams vaguely afloat so they won’t careen out of control and crash into the rocks and collapse in a heap of nightmares, battered hopes and ruined lives.
Let’s start with the State of California tax return, since that is always a simpler project than taking on the dreaded US Internal Revenue Service’s paperwork and forms.
The first quandary comes rather quickly. There are quite a few programs or funds that I can voluntarily donate to. It’s sort of depressing, to tell the truth. The most recent estimate for the 2024 state budget predicts spending of about $300 billion. That’s billion, with a
“b.” But it seems there are some programs and services that need more than what the state legislature and governor are planning to hand over.
Catching my eye were a trio targeting programs for citizens “of a certain age,” which is code for “old.”
There is the California Seniors Special Fund and the Alzheimer’s Disease/Related Disorders Fund, and then the Senior Citizen Advocacy Fund. That last one makes me question the “unequivocal support” voiced by virtually every elected official at every level when the issue of “senior issues” arises. Guess that “unequivocal support” needs a little extra push once folks get in office and actually have to vote on “senior issues.”
There are separate funds for Rare and Endangered Species, and Sea Otters (who knew Sea Otters had such strong lobbying operation – of course they have all those cute pictures and adorable videos on their side. Maybe the old folks should put out some adorable videos). There is also a Protect Our Coasts and Oceans Fund. So there are the same number of voluntary funds for animals and the environment as there are for seniors.
Let’s be charitable and just say both sectors are grossly underfunded.
Talking about “voluntary donations” on a tax form made me question whether the Feds are still collecting $3 for the Presidential Campaign Fund? A quick glance and, yep, Holy Cow, they are. Amazing. That used to be a good idea, back when I was a young man and there was a naïve notion that it might be nice to try and keep corporate money and billionaires from buying elections. But that was a loooong time ago. That noble idea was washed away years ago by Political Action Committees and “crowd-sourced online funding” that have swamped elections in waves of cash. Anyway, back to California. And some problems. First there is the need to fund, with contributions, Emergency Food for Families. Really? Worse is the fund to provide School Supplies for Homeless Children. Is this state so broke it can’t provide emergency food and school supplies to those in need?
Here’s a sad comment on our health care system: You can donate to Breast Cancer Research, Cancer Research, Mental Health Crisis Prevention, and Suicide Prevention.
With those in mind, this old guy will can put a 2024 spin on a 1960s liberal, hippy protest poster: “It Will Be Great Day When Doctors, Hospitals And Schools Have All The Money They Need And The State Legislature Has To Hold A Bake Sale To Pay The Salaries Of Elected Officials and Bureaucrats.”
OPINION
(Jon Klusmire of Bishop has been told he can be sort of taxing, too.)