Still, the Times devoted nearly 1,000 words to questioning the donation. Strom included a lawyer who claimed Pickens was manipulating charity for his own benefit, even though he had waived fees and profits on the OSU investment and had given away $165 million in the first place.
CNNs Andy Serwer did the same. Hes not benefiting directly, but yknow, it does raise some questions, I think, Serwer said. Co-host Miles OBrien pointed out that the school still gets the dough, which Serwer affirmed. Soledad OBrien asked if any of it was illegal. Its not illegal at all, its just it raises questions, Serwer insisted. I would say its a little cute.
Hypocrisy, Thy Name Is Serwer
Regardless of the American Morning teams definition of cute, the choices of philanthropists and investors are theirs to make in a free market, as long as they follow the law. The wealthy commonly make donations, enlisting attorneys and accountants to help them avoid the punishing U.S. tax code.
In fact, CNNs Serwer advised his viewers to get cute with the tax code on the Dec. 26, 2005, American Morning. He wasnt talking to billionaires, of course, but ordinary individuals who apparently, in his estimation, deserve to save money. Serwer encouraged his viewers to Maximize those charitable deductions, your 529 college plans for the kiddies. And your gift exclusion, anyone in America can give anyone else $11,000 tax free. He gave further advice on how to lower your 2005 tax bill:
If youve lost some money in stocks this year and want to just sell those dogs, do it before the end of the year, because you get those capital gains this year, $3,000. And then you can be left the capital gains can be held over, if it's more than $3,000, until the next year. Now, what about some expenses? You should pre-pay them. This again, accelerate those deductions. If youre going to be paying, prepaying taxes on a quarterly basis, do it in December. Also, the same thing with mortgage payments. Do it in December so you can write it off. And lower your 2005 tax bill. And, you know, April 15 is around the corner.
Yet, Serwer and
the Times skewered Pickens for using existing legal tax breaks when
making charitable contributions.
Boone kinda taking advantage of the hurricane relief
tax code provisions to do this, Serwer said, to which Miles OBrien
chimed, Ouch. He continued groaning with disapproval as Serwer
described the tax break.
It is common for schools and other endowed institutions
to invest their charitable gifts so they may yield the best return
available to the institution. That was exactly what OSU wanted for
its athletic department, explained Holder, who had previously
invested money for Cowboy Golf (a charity benefiting a division of
OSU athletics) with Pickens fund. I may not be the smartest person
around, but when youve invested $6 million with someone and theyve
turned it into $31 million, it makes you feel confident enough to
have all your investments with that person, Holder told the Times.
Just as countless other donors have done for their alma
maters, Pickens gave money that will underwrite a new equestrian
center, new track and field facilities and completion of the
football stadium, the Times reported.
Though the media love to criticize the federal budget
deficit, they also commonly attack private businesses that achieve
beyond what the government can accomplish. Colleges and universities
cannot operate on taxpayer dollars alone, and gifts like Pickens
often make new facilities, faculty positions and programs possible.
