Ask HN: Code for America

Re:Ask HN: Code for America by jrockway on Tuesday October 12, 2010 @01:40PM (#1784185)

If you want to be poor, you can always work at market rate and donate the difference to some charity that actually matters.

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Re:Ask HN: Code for America by borism on Tuesday October 12, 2010 @02:14PM (#1784308)

great simultaneous denigration of people who work for charities and people who donate to charities!

(surely you can't earn decent salary while working for charity and if you'll donate to it your quality of life is sure to decline! and sense of mission doesn't count as anything either! but maybe, just maybe, it's not all about the money?)

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Re:Ask HN: Code for America by jrockway on Tuesday October 12, 2010 @03:43PM (#1784625)

Not what I meant to convey. I said that if you're ok with $35,000 a year, why not get a job that pays $200,000 a year and donate $160,000? That cash is going to make a lot more difference than your PHP web app for contesting parking tickets ever will.

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Re:Ask HN: Code for America by borism on Tuesday October 12, 2010 @04:08PM (#1784720)

> I said that if you're ok with $35,000 a year, why not get a job that pays $200,000 a year and donate $160,000?

First of all, not many $200000 jobs are available to people who are willing to make $35000.

And second, you totally neglect the non-monetary motivations and contributions of people who work for non-profits. Why do you think anyone but not this particular person can have the same contribution to the project for $160000? I'm sure Tim O'Reilly can and earns much more from his other ventures. That doesn't mean that just by donating amount equal to his salary at Gov 2.0 project anyone can make the same impact, don't you think?

And what if the person that's going to do it is a fresh millionaire who just sold his start-up? Would you still discourage him/her?

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Re:Ask HN: Code for America by artmageddon on Tuesday October 12, 2010 @03:50PM (#1784651)

I somewhat agree, but don't forget that a large portion of that will get taxed, which would limit the amount that you could donate.

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Re:Ask HN: Code for America by jrockway on Tuesday October 12, 2010 @03:55PM (#1784672)

Donations are pre-tax.

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Re:Ask HN: Code for America by j0 on Tuesday October 12, 2010 @04:16PM (#1784759)

Actually, donations come out of your post-tax income, and then you get a tax deduction (not a credit) for them, if you itemize your taxes.

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Re:Ask HN: Code for America by jrockway on Tuesday October 12, 2010 @04:50PM (#1784886)

Doesn't this work out the same? I know if you just donate $20 and take the standard deduction it's post-tax, but if you donate $165,000, I'm sure that your accountant can work something out for you.

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