As I was listening to the radio Friday morning while getting ready for work, they played a segment on the plans Obama has for changes to the tax system, and I was struck by one idea mentioned several times by the Republicans: if we change the tax breaks for charitable giving, then people will give less to charity, which would be terrible at this time, while more and more people are relying upon charity.

I immediately thought, are you kidding me?!

Do the Republicans really believe that the only reason people make charitable donations is for the tax breaks?

If that’s true, it explains an awful lot about what’s wrong with the Republican party.

Let me make this clear, I make charitable donations–in fact Michael and I donated two cars to Good News Mountaineer Garage (last when we bought our new car in 2003).

I make donations every paycheck to local United Way groups (I always give money to the RDVIC, Christian Help, and one other group that often changes from year to year.

We make regular donations of clothing and items to either Christian Help or Goodwill (if I can’t make the hours for Christian Help), and I’m always amazed by the people who insist on getting a receipt for their single measly bag of used clothing (they set the dollar amount of the donation).

And we have never once claimed a charitable donation on our taxes.

I don’t do these things because I expect to be rewarded for my actions or donations.

I do these things because it is the right thing to do.

Apparently some Republicans don’t quite get that idea.