In fact, the construction of a new east wing is not "free" to the American taxpayers because the donations are tax deductible to those making the donations. The cost to the taxpayers is the difference between what the donors would have paid in taxes vs. what the donors actually paid in taxes after taking their "east wing gift donation". And, since the US is continually running a deficit, the deficit goes up by the amount of taxes not paid by the donors. To add insult to injury, the taxpayers are on the hook for paying interest probably in perpetuity on that increase to the federal debt. The insult here is not only did the taxpayers (through Congress and advisory boards) have no inputs on the project, they are still on the hook for paying for a portion of it regardless of what the politicians say.
Very good point. In fact we will be on the hook for the maintenance of an over-large building as well. It will be much larger than the the Executive Mansion, so that heating, cooling, etc, all falls to the taxpayer long term. Your comment confirms my suspicion I should write more about taxation and the debt as the greatest national security threat.
In fact, the construction of a new east wing is not "free" to the American taxpayers because the donations are tax deductible to those making the donations. The cost to the taxpayers is the difference between what the donors would have paid in taxes vs. what the donors actually paid in taxes after taking their "east wing gift donation". And, since the US is continually running a deficit, the deficit goes up by the amount of taxes not paid by the donors. To add insult to injury, the taxpayers are on the hook for paying interest probably in perpetuity on that increase to the federal debt. The insult here is not only did the taxpayers (through Congress and advisory boards) have no inputs on the project, they are still on the hook for paying for a portion of it regardless of what the politicians say.
Very good point. In fact we will be on the hook for the maintenance of an over-large building as well. It will be much larger than the the Executive Mansion, so that heating, cooling, etc, all falls to the taxpayer long term. Your comment confirms my suspicion I should write more about taxation and the debt as the greatest national security threat.