Unfettered Letters

Corporate ‘charity’

Take away the corporate income tax deduction for charitable giving, supporting the arts and limit the advertising budget. Do not let the corporations buy the rights to name stadiums or lease suites. Force the companies to use that money for salaries and health care, and we would not need charity, food kitchens and Medicaid. People could earn a living wage and take care of themselves and be there for their families. More people could attend the arts, and they would not need donations.

The corporations get accolades for giving so much to charity, when through their own corporate greed they have created the problem to begin with. Put people to work. Give us all hope.

Corporations forgot about taking care of Americans while they were moving our jobs out of the country and lowering our wages and benefits. If we are not paid a living wage, we cannot buy the products.

American workers, unite! Don’t let jealousy and greed divide us.

Beth Boerger
Kansas City

Tough times make giving more important

Most people will feel the effects of the dropping economy this Christmas, but who will feel it the most? Maybe I don’t get the iPod Touch I’m asking for this year, or a fellow student will go without a new pair of Uggs, but we won’t be the ones who are hungry Christmas night.

The economy is bad for everyone, but some more than others. People have less money and, in return, have less to give. Some people will go hungry this Christmas. I might go without the latest Apple gadget, but my stomach will be far from empty when I go to bed.

So even though it seems like there is barely enough money for your own family this holiday season, giving just a little bit can make a huge difference.

Clare Connealy
Kansas City

Nonprofit agencies need your help

The headlines are frightening: “Worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.”

The financial emergency is concerning for Kansas City area nonprofits because we run our agencies on a shoestring every day, even in the best of times. How can we continue to provide these services when the government is out of money, area foundations have seen millions of dollars in their endowments disappear, corporations are laying off workers and individuals are afraid to spend what money they do have?

Nonprofits will do what they always do: think creatively, work smarter, collaborate and remind our donors why we are so vital to a healthy economy. According to a survey by the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, there are 7,403 charitable nonprofit organizations in Kansas City. The nonprofit sector comprises 13.7 percent of the region’s economy, and the impact we have on hundreds of thousands of lives we serve cannot be measured.

I hope you will not cut off vital funding to your favorite charity as you tighten your belts. Volunteer or make a contribution, but get involved. We need you now more than ever.

Cynthia Smith
President and CEO, Sunflower House, A Child Abuse Prevention Center
Shawnee

Mayor’s Christmas Tree spirit

The crowd of who attended the Crown Center Mayor’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony and fireworks experienced a beautiful holiday event.

The headline of The Star’s article (11/29, Local, “Mirth comes at mayor’s expense”) did not do justice to the meaning and spirit of the 100th anniversary of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund.

My sister and I were thrilled that our father, Jerry Cohen, was recognized at the ceremony for chairing this fundraising committee for more than 45 years.

The goal of the fund is to provide food baskets to more than 1,500 needy Kansas City families as well as sponsor parties at community centers for children who would otherwise not have a party to attend.

Contributions can be sent to:

The Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund
City Hall
414 E. 12th St.
P.O. Box 410444
Kansas City, MO 64141-0444

Rosalyn Jacobson
Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, honorary chairperson
Prairie Village

Politicians must scale back

The voters were bought in this presidential election. Does anyone care? Yes, we made history, but are we ready for the future that awaits us? It may not be the “change” that is good for this country.

I cannot tolerate the extravaganza spending on campaigning and now the presidential inauguration celebration. It is heartbreaking to me that people are losing their jobs, homes and savings while Congress is debating whether to bail out the Big Three. No more bailouts!

Barack Obama says he is for the poor. So please, president-elect set the example to show compassion and scale down your inauguration celebration.

Where were the other politicians, media talk shows and financial advisers to inspire a solution that both candidates should have stopped all campaigning and put those funds into the market to help with the financial crash? No one said a word. It was taxpayers’ money, wasn’t it?

It’s time for congressional term limits and a cap on campaign spending.

Patricia Baker
St. Joseph

Eliminate limits on giving

With Barack Obama’s tax plan looking like a reality, the wealthy should be prepared to foot a larger percentage of the tax bill. The wealthy aren’t happy because they feel like they already pay more than their fair share and, for some, they would just like to have some control over how their money is spent.

Why not eliminate the limits on tax deductions for charitable contributions? Currently, there are limits on giving based on income. If eliminated, we might see a huge influx of money pouring into charities.

Some might argue the wealthy would support projects like the Performing Arts Center, not directly helping the less fortunate. This is where government could step in and designate a list of acceptable charitable organizations. Certainly there would be much debate on what organizations should be on the approved list.

Others will argue that the wealthy would contribute more just to avoid paying taxes, and that could be the case. But if it helps those less fortunate, isn’t that what Obama’s plan is all about?

This might mean the government has fewer tax dollars, so they would have to do what many of us are already doing: live on less.

Steve Johnson
Shawnee

Would tax plan pinch charities?

Regarding the recent front page article and charitable giving concerns (11/3, A-1, “Shadow cast over giving; The current downturn coincides with the peak time for contributions”), two things were not mentioned.

First: Barack Obama stated that his plans to have Washington redistribute wealth by way of taxation will result in fewer citizens needing help. Logically, with fewer citizens in need, and fewer dollars available for some Americans and businesses to donate due to the Obama tax increases, Americans may decide to donate less locally. They may even feel their total charity amount is really the same, just more going in taxes to Washington to be redistributed and less directly to the local charity. Though charitable donations are a tax write-off, it’s not a dollar-for-dollar net benefit.

Second: The last 10 years of his tax returns show that Joe Biden averaged about $250,000 a year in income and only $369 a year in charitable giving. Some Americans may decide to cut back and follow our new leaders’ own example.

Gary Brockus
Overland Park

Pancreatic cancer awareness

My young and vibrant mom, Barbara Hersh, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She died of this dreadful disease in November 2006, a short five months later.

November is also pancreatic cancer awareness month. Pancreatic cancer is the most under-funded, under-recognized and least-studied among leading cancer killers. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in our country but receives less than 2 percent of federal research funds. Pancreatic cancer deaths have increased, when overall cancer death rates have declined.

The time has come to ensure progress is made. Our community took important steps in September 2008, when the National Plan to Advance Pancreatic Cancer Research Act of 2008, H.R. 7045, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This historic initiative marks the first major piece of legislation addressing the mortality rate of the most deadly cancer in the United States.

We must unite to make sure the necessary funding to find the cure is made available, and that our members of Congress are supporting initiatives like H.R. 7045 that would provide necessary tools and resources to make advances against this horrible disease.

Please raise your voice with me by visiting www.pancan.org

Michelle Hersh
Pancan volunteer
Overland Park

Shop and help fight cancer

This week starts Back in the Swing, a communitywide shopping event and special fundraiser of which our community should be proud.

This first-of-its-kind fundraiser has been imitated by other cities throughout the country because of its originality and the excitement it generates. An amazing woman and cancer survivor, Barbara Unell, created this event to raise much-needed funds for cancer research and treatment that stay right here in Kansas City.

It’s especially rewarding that Back in the Swing brings together all of the shopping developments in town to help the people in Kansas City. This is the one week of the year that we focus on uniting for a common cause rather than competition.

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month, so get out and do your holiday shopping early and support Back in the Swing, Oct. 13-19.

Rosemary Salerno
General manager, Zona Rosa
Kansas City

Thanks for helping fight MS

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society would like to thank the entire Kansas City community for its support of the 25th anniversary of Bike MS on Sept. 6 and 7. This year, we raised more than ever before, and we’re well on our way to our $1.4 million goal.

The challenging route took cycling enthusiasts and MS activists 150 miles through western Missouri. We couldn’t have done it without your help. The money raised will help thousands of local people with multiple sclerosis through programs and events as well as supporting research for a cure. There’s still time to give at www.MSmidamerica.org

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. If you or someone you know would like more information, please contact the MS Society at info@nmsskc.org or call 1-800-344-4867.

Again, thank you for your support in this exciting event.

Nicole Long
Marketing and communications manager, National Multiple Sclerosis Society — Mid America Chapter
Kansas City