I have no doubt that people would spend more, but odds are very, very slim that they would give enough. People's hearts are big when hurricane's, floods, etc. hit a town, but when recession's hit or things are sailing along, these people are forgotten about and not all of them are below the poverty line by choice. I have read recent articles about the large numbers of insured people filing bankruptcy due to medical bills for example. People lose jobs in the name of keeping a company financially healthy and not of their own doing. There's just so many reasons for taking care of our own. Even with current levels of taxation (forced charity, if you will) organizations like the Salvation Army still are unable to fill the gaps. It's just not going to happen without government welfare. Not only would you see the poor, but add the elderly to the list of people who will be tossed on the street.
the more people would give, the greater the level of corruption in charities would be. far more than in gov. fewer checks and balances. remember what the UnitedWay did?
of course, and it if it wasnt, you could fire them and fund a different charity. this is, again, the beauty of non-government solutions to problems. choice.
