[Bernard]

How many other rules regulating charities are there

Today, there is probably one less than tomorrow. And tomorrow, there will be one less than there is the day after tomorrow.

This kind of stuff only affects big business kind of "charities". That's why the United Way has to worry about it, and the local Jaycees or Eagles could raise a lot of money like this for a one-time deal and get the money to the right place without ever filing any paperwork. Technically, everybody should but only the bg guys have to worry about actually staying around long enough to get caught.

But once the charity gets big enough to have the look and feel of a government agency, the rules start to choke. That's why the United Way needed special dispensation.

[Small-L]

Essentially the IRS and the Feds don't want competition in the application of socialism. If the Feds give money to the firefighters families, illegal aliens, or ..., then the recipients are grateful to the government and government programs for their largess.

On the other hand, if the UW, Jaycees, Eagles, churches... are allowed/encouraged to give directly to those in need, then the needy realize that the government and government programs aren't needed.

As good socialists, the politicians can't have that. The solution is simple--pass a law to make it illegal for the charities to give directly to families and individuals.