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Poll results

Sponsored by: OTELCO

Public attention in Maine has recently focused on several high-profile charitable gifts, including a $25 million donation to Maine Medical Center, a total of $4 million contributed to two Maine nonprofits, and the charitable gift of a North Haven farm, valued at nearly $5 million.

These gifts — and many similar ones — have originated from affluent donors whose generosity is needed more than ever during the pandemic. Many nonprofits that have been most strained by the economic downturn are the very ones Mainers are relying on in order to weather it.

While many wealthy donors are stepping up to meet the need, some critics say such giving isn't enough.

 

In general, should wealthy people be giving more to address basic human needs in the U.S.?
Yes (59%, 172 VOTES)
No (41%, 118 VOTES)
Poll Description

Sponsored by: OTELCO

Public attention in Maine has recently focused on several high-profile charitable gifts, including a $25 million donation to Maine Medical Center, a total of $4 million contributed to two Maine nonprofits, and the charitable gift of a North Haven farm, valued at nearly $5 million.

These gifts — and many similar ones — have originated from affluent donors whose generosity is needed more than ever during the pandemic. Many nonprofits that have been most strained by the economic downturn are the very ones Mainers are relying on in order to weather it.

While many wealthy donors are stepping up to meet the need, some critics say such giving isn't enough.

 

  • 290 Votes
  • 21 Comments

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21 Comments

  • June 25, 2021

    The government has no business telling me what I should give to address what they call basic human needs. This term means something different to everyone and shouldn't be mandated. People would think it was horrible if we have two students where one is getting D's and the other A's, and schools were to take an A away from the really good student and give them both C's when one clearly worked harder than the other. So why is it ok to take money away from one person and give it to someone else? We would never accept grade redistribution and therefore we should never accept more wealth redistribution. If you want something, work for it. I do! Welfare is no longer a safety net but a way of life for many generations of some families. Stop paying single mothers to keep having unwanted kids to get more money and give the money to our elderly instead. They deserve it much more.

  • Craig Wetmore
    June 23, 2021

    A popular misconception is that Robinhood stole from the rich to give to the poor. That is not true; Robinhood stole from the government to give the money back to the over-taxed citizens.

  • June 23, 2021

    Every person in the U.S. should have received $5,740 from the $1.9 trillion dollar stimulus package (simple math). Our government decided to send most of that money to "pork" projects, and not to the American people, which some of them received a stimulus check for $1,400. Before we ask for more money from any citizen, we need to reprimand the public servants that think that they are the ruling class.

  • Richard J Mcgoldrick
    June 23, 2021

    if you could poll all non profits in Maine, you would be astounded by the generosity of all Maine people, from every income level. Tens of $ millions are given every year, with little or no fanfare, and often explicitly anonymously. Most Mainers are both generous and humble in their commitment to giving back the blessings we've received.
    It is ironic that a legislature that doesn't;t seem to understand economics can continually consider higher and higher tax rates, while eliminating a deduction for charitable giving. Seems they believe the State bureaucracy can better distribute our hard earned funds.(see recent revelations re DHS waste and incompetence trying to create a new software system..and why are most of these "consultants' FROM OUT OF STATE???.

  • Jennifer Packard
    June 22, 2021

    The question makes no sense the way it is written. We cannot tell anyone how to spend their legally earned money. That said, the more fortunate should help the less fortunate directed by their own moral compass. Private dollars cannot compensate for failures in governing and the unequal playing field that creates.