Ari Fleischer may give less if charitable deduction is limited; Libs freak out

http://twitter.com/#!/AriFleischer/status/286150110046474241

We don’t see anything controversial about Fleischer’s tweet. In fact, we suspect that virtually every economist on the planet would agree with the crux of his argument. If the tax deduction for charitable donations increases, charitable giving goes up (all other things equal). If the deduction is reduced, charitable deductions go down.

Moreover, we see nothing wrong with taking into account tax considerations when deciding how much to give to charity.

If Fleischer is wrong — that is, if people who give money to charity are never influenced by tax deductions — then why have a charitable deduction in the first place?

Why do groups like the United Way, the American Red Cross, and Lutheran Services in America oppose any change to the deduction if limiting it will have no effect on charitable giving?

Unfortunately, many liberals aren’t interested in economics (or logic). Rather than acknowledge the truth in what Fleischer said, they responded with their usual vitriol:

@arifleischer You’re a piece of shit, Ari.

— Elon Green (@elongreen) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer lol talk about being a complete jerk, admitting you donate for the tax deduction #NoSoul

— Astrid Silva (@Astrid_NV) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer asshole, if the only reason you were donating is for the deduction, you need a new soul.

— Dante Atkins (@DanteAtkins) January 1, 2013

Asshole. “@arifleischer: I > donations to charity in 2012. This deal < my deductions so I, & many others, will likely donate less in 2013.”

— Kendall Clark (@kendall) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer Consensus has it that you’re a complete jerk. Care to confirm that?

— Uncle Jimmy (@jimmywhiz) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer Do you really donate to charity to get deductions? That could be what’s wrong with America today….

— Susan L Brannigan (@susanlbrannigan) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer disgusting.

— OriginalBad (@OriginalBad) January 1, 2013

Love that Twitter is shitting on @arifleischer for his bullshit tweet about his “charitable giving.” #jerk

— Carlea (@carleab) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer Wow. You’re a dick.

— Ryan (@ryanhealy) January 1, 2013

.@arifleischer The world weeps when you tweet the vacancy in your soul.

— Sarah Reese Jones (@srjones66) January 1, 2013

Other words, you’re a jerk || MT @arifleischer Increased donations to charity in 2012. Deal limits deductions so I’ll donate less in 2013.

— Jeremy Littau (@JeremyLittau) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer glad your heart is in the right place dirtbag.

— Soundproofblog (@soundproofblog) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer and you are terrible person for it.

— Josh(@JalbyMD) January 1, 2013

So what @arifleischer is saying is that he only gives to charities for the tax deductions? That attitude won’t get him into heaven. #WWJD

— Proud Gay Marine (@GayMarine) January 1, 2013

So @arifleischer is going 2 stop giving to charity cause its either donate to charity or stop lighting Cigars with 100$ bills #SorryCharity

— romeo (@arthuromeo) January 1, 2013

Wow, @arifleischer is truly a morally bankrupt tool, huh?

— Rachel Goldberg (@mamasnark) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer Good logic Ari, fuck the poor people who depend on charity. That’ll show the democrats. #arrogantdouche

— Morgan (@morganwjohnson) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer Keep your donation Scrooge !

— Earthbone (@earthbone) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer you r a horse’s ass…decrease donation to Rove n give to charity….u r a jerk

— bill plante (@billplante) January 1, 2013

Shorter @arifleischer: Yep, I’m pretty much the titanic asshole you imagine me to be.

— phillip anderson (@phillipanderson) January 1, 2013

RT @jamonthirteen: @arifleischer Looks like the primary reason you donate to charity is to lower your taxable income. #asshole #scumbag

— Kyle (@lankyguy) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer You should be in jail you TRAITOR!

— d hartley (@donthebear) January 1, 2013

How Christian of you. MT @arifleischer: I increased donations to charity in 2012. This deal limits my deductions so I’ll donate less in 2013

— Jeremy Teel (@Jeremy_Teel) January 1, 2013

Makes sense, asshole!“@arifleischer:I increased donations to charity in 2012. This deal limits deductions so I’ll likely donate less in2013″

— shane johnson (@noSHANEnoGAIN) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer Because why would you donate to charity unless you get a tax deduction, right?! #jerk

— Mike Grunder (@megrunder) January 1, 2013

That makes u a dick MT @arifleischer I increased charity donations in 12. This deal limits my deductions so I& others will donate less in 13

— Katelyn Ann (@katelyn__ann) January 1, 2013

Ari Fleischer just told the world he only gives to get tax benefits. Nice.

— Joan (@LibertyBelleJ) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer ..Ari..keep your money..if your donations to your shul depends on tax deductions you have a moral problem not a financial one.

— Art Leider (@asl3676) January 1, 2013

Asshole. RT @arifleischer I increased donations to charity in 2012. This deal limits my deductions so I will likely donate less in 2013.

— Bill Gary (@bgaryjr) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer If you give to charity only based in your deductions Y R bigger jerk than I already thought.#GOP #TCOT #FiscalCliff #AHOLE

— nhdogmom (@nhdogmom) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer you sound like a heartless jerk.

— Jon Byler (@jebyler) January 1, 2013

Dick. MT “@arifleischer: I increased donations to charity in 2012. This deal limits my deductions so I will likely donate less in 2013.”

— GTOG Artistry (@GTOGArtistry) January 1, 2013

He’s an honest asshole. MT @arifleischer: I increased my donations in 2012. This limits my deductions so I will likely donate less in 2013.

— Peter Blake (@pblake142) January 1, 2013

ASSHOLE ->RT @arifleischer: I increased donations to charity in 2012. This deal limits my deductions so I will likely donate less in 2013.

— Neff Conner (@nffcnnr) January 1, 2013

What a dick. RT @arifleischer I increased donations to charity in 2012. This deal limits deductions so I & many others donate less in 2013

— Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) January 1, 2013

Ari Fleischer is such a jerk…his primary reason for giving donations to charity is in order to receive tax deductions.

— Raymond Gellner (@regellner) January 1, 2013

“@arifleischer: I inc donations 2 charity in 2012. This deal limits my ded so I, & many others, will likely donate less in 2013.” jerk.

— Brad Absalom (@bcabsalom) January 1, 2013

He’s a Dick head RT @word_34: Congrats to .@arifleischer for setting a record on douchebaggery on the first day of Jan 2013

— NRA Sucks (@Gun_ControlNow) January 1, 2013

WOW! Who knew that @arifleischer was a dick with money? I’m really sick to death of these assholes.

— just julie (@vintagegoddess) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer it’s not a donation if you are only doing it to benefit yourself, dick. Learn what charity means.

— Tim Daly (@tweetlesstim) January 1, 2013

Holy crap @arifleischer is a prick. How about you just donate what you want and not feel the need to tell world about it. Called doing good

— gregor (@captainsdead) January 1, 2013

Fixed! “@arifleischer: This deal limits my deductions so I, & many others, will likely donate less in 2013… Because I am a gaping asshole

— Nate (@DelcoNate) January 1, 2013

Fleischer tried to explain himself. If he can’t deduct his charitable contributions, he’ll have to pay higher taxes and will therefore have less money to give away:

For those having a fit re my charity tweet, when gvt reduces ppl’s take home pay, ppl have less $ to donate/spend. It’s math

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) January 1, 2013

But that didn’t help. In fact, it only made matters worse.

That’s not what tweet said. MT @arifleischer: re my charity tweet, when gvt reduces ppl’s takehome pay, ppl have less $ to donate. It’s math

— Alec MacGillis (@AlecMacGillis) January 1, 2013

@alecmacgillis @arifleischer Yep, noticed that as well. Completely different point.

— Andrew Kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer you’re a saint

— Hope Brannon (@hellohopey) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer Not really. Why are rich people so self-entitled? You actually have to start paying your fair share. Deal with it.

— クンツ (@ItsVersayce) January 1, 2013

@arifleischer You’re also an asshole, that’s a fact.

— Henrik Ilisson (@GrantDN) January 1, 2013

Fleischer is guilty of only one mistake: He tried to explain economics to liberals. He’ll know better next time.

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/01/01/ari-fleischer-may-give-less-if-charitable-deduction-is-limited-libs-freak-out/

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