INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

A March 7th editorial "For giving" implicitly criticizes Congressman Joe Pitts for publicizing a letter from a wealthy constituent who says she will reduce the amount of her charitable giving to compensate for any greater federal income taxes she may have to pay due to an Obama increase. After carefully calculating the consequences of a higher marginal income tax rate and the lower off set for charitable contributions against taxes, the Intell concludes:

"So if Gail and her family contribute $10,000 to charity, they would be able to subtract $2,800 from their taxes, instead of $3,500 - a difference of just $700....If God truly has abundantly blessed Gail and her family, then is $700 - or a comparable percentage - enough reason to scrimp on the 'hungy, homeless, orphaned and widowed'?

WATCHDOG: At times Intell editorials are so insightful, erudite and literate that we have wondered if they were the product of other newspapers. Today's editorial verifies their local origins. The Watchdog may not always agree, but it wags its tail in respect.