Jon Henke emails in to let me know that the outrageous NYT op-ed I wrote about last night arguing against charitable giving in favor of taxation wasn’t just the work of a harebrained professor. Earlier this year, the NYT has editorialized in favor of this:

Philanthropic contributions are usually tax-free. They directly reduce the government’s ability to engage in public spending. Perhaps the government should demand a role in charities’ allocation of resources in exchange for the tax deduction. Or maybe the deduction should go altogether. Experts estimate that tax breaks motivate 25 percent to 30 percent of contributions.

I really, really, really would like to see the NYT continue to make the argument that government spending is preferable to private charity. Public debate over that issue should do wonders to help conservatism get some of its mojo back.