The Price of having a Patron: The Pope Foundation and the University of North Carolina

http://chronicle.com/article/Conservative-Think-Tank-Puts/229837/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en

There are two ways the wealthy can support the public good:  by giving their money directly to their favorite causes with whatever strings may be attached... or by being appropriately taxed and allowing the people's representatives decide how the funds will be allocated.  Both ways are prey to corruption, greed and self-serving.  Even so, I tend to favor the latter.  At least from time to time we get to throw a bum or two out.  SOmetimes the jokers in the legislative bodies even pay attention to us humble voters.