I don't think my government is as effective at using my money as private groups are, so I would rather give it to the private groups. Maybe in Utopia world, we would not need such groups, but that's not where we live.

As to schools - don't start me. The 'security' hypothesis above is what happens in our school system. At my kids' school, they get 'class sponsors' for about $1k a year. Each class has 3 or 4 of those (this is public school, mind you). They get huge amounts of volunteer hours, allowing to do more with the staff they pay. In other parts of the County, they get no sponsorships and little volunteer hours. The problem is that the school board fails to recognize the inequity and deal with it. Someday soon, I may run for school board to address this problem.

Improvements in education would lead to improvements in opportunity, pure and simple.

Back to the here and now, I pay school board taxes (a couple grand a year), and I sponsor several classes at school (for another couple grand a year). Next school year, as my kids age out of their elementary school, I will take that money and send it to other areas of the county for class sponsorships. In addition, I have tutored at inner city schools. Like I said - I do my part. Which is probably why I get so riled up over blanket statements like "because you make xxx, I have no sympathy for you."

As far as deductions, I guess I am the rare soul who doesn't take the time to count it all up like I probably should. I am blessed, and feel compelled to give back, without the need for public reward or tax deductions.