Posted on 08/27/2011 5:48:24 AM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
Rick Steves said Thursday his donation equals what he saved from the tax cuts approved by former President George W. Bush beginning in 2001.
"Over the last decade, my tax burden has decreased even as public funding for important local programs and institutions has been decimated -- a trend I find alarming," he said in a written statement.
Steves is encouraging other people who are financially well off to make similar donations.
"It's my hope to inspire other caring high-income people to step up and fill those funding gaps with private donations, to support causes that should be borne collectively by a community -- arts centers, parks, schools, libraries, local symphonies, and to speak out on the wisdom of rolling back the tax cuts for our wealthy."
The donation to the arts center will be divided into 10 annual gifts of $100,000, said Joe McIalwain, executive director for the Center for the Arts.
"I see it as a civic duty for businessmen like me, who's directly benefited from our vibrant communities, to do our fair share," Steves said.
"This donation is my way of helping to empower the fine people who've been working for years for the good of Edmonds' art and culture -- especially now, as what I consider a false austerity is being forced on the finer points of our culture."
The Bush tax cuts, which applied to all income brackets, were set to expire in 2010 but after much debate were extended for two more years.
President Barack Obama campaigned in 2008 on removing the cuts for people making more than $250,000 per year but backed off in the face of opposition from Congress.
(Excerpt) Read more at heraldnet.com ...
“Well, Ill give him credit for putting his money where his mouth is.”
Huh? You mean he stuffed his money up Obama’s azz?
Just another phony liberal who is upset Obama is failing and can’t admit it.
Don't kick yourself; Rick's travel shows are great and fun to watch. I think he does a great job keeping his political views out of his professional work for PBS.
And since you've already paid for it (both your set of DVDs and his show on PBS) you might as well enjoy it.
In any event, Rick is doing exactly the right thing here: deciding for himself what to do with his money and sending it directly to the charity of his choice rather then letting government get its grubby hands on his money and wasting 50% or more of it before funding those things Rick is interested in.
Good for him. No government edicts, no forcing at gunpoint, just giving his money where he believes it should go.
If only all leftists were so inclined...
Awesome, now the gov’t can slash the art center funding even more - he’s taking up the slack
Gee thanks Ricky.....
Charity begins at home
Now, middle class little me will not have my taxes go to the arts - you are doing it for me..../s
Riiiiiiiight. As if The Corporation For Public Broadcasting didn't get more money each year from President Bush.
Why didn’t he give the money to the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit. Or to the Salvation Army, or to any of thousands of worthy institutions that need help.
Liberals have their priorities I suppose, but an Arts Center when people are hurting isn’t one of mine.
So Rick has his heart in the right place, but his head up his rectum.
If the story is true about him leaving his wife and kids, he won’t be making any more donations, his wife’s attorneys will see to that, when they finish with him he may need to move into the Arts Center.
Good for Rick Steves. At least he’s putting his money where his mouth is. Buffett, and other rich Democrats should do the same.
I read that he got divorced last year, but I didn't see what the details were.
That’s an old picture of Steve and his family. His son has graduated from college and his daughter is probably in college.
I just sent him this email, subject: Yes We Can!
I commend you on your donation to the arts. That’s the kind of attitude that made America great in the first place. You have avoided government confiscating your money, and wasting it, and applied it directly to those who can use it the best. Well done! Hopefully America is headed back in that direction where the “rich” can subsidize causes and industries that will benefit this wonderful country. Yes We Can!
As this chart from CPB's own website clearly shows, Rick Steves is a lying sack of PBS.
CPB Appropriations in millions of dollars
2001... $340.00
2002... $350.00
2003... $362.80
2004... $377.80
2005... $386.8
2006 ...$396.0
2007... $400.00
2008... $393.0
2009... $400.00
2010... $420.00
2011... $430.00
2012... $445.00
Are these people not aware that there's this new creation out there called "the internet" where one can go to confirm or refute ridiculous claims?
Bravo Rick!
It’s your money and you have the right to spend it the way you see fit. That’s, what it’s all about.
all tax deductible, of course
great minds
Rick Steves missed obama’s point
obama doesnt want the rich to donate their money to charity
he wants it collected by the federal govt to spend
He uses one of those EVIL loopholes; deducts it from his income tax, and probably gets one wing of the building named after him. You can bet this isn’t just being done for “charity”.
He’s not as bad as some of the others in that business . Least he put his money where his mouth is. But like most of those in the entertainment business they haven’t a clue about the waste and corruption or the fact the country is going broke because of it.
Yep, most likely suggested by his accountant to avoid more taxes. Why didn’t he give it to the IRS if he felt so guilty?
Pray for America
Astounding. I always just assumed he was gay until he did that Christmas show with his wife and kids. Too bad for the kids to have to go through this. Even if they are now adults, divorce wrecks the offsprings' hearts.
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