Democracy Forum

Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine     Engineer: Amy Browne Program Topic: Privatizing Public Policy: Is Philanthropy Good for Democracy? Key Discussion Point: a) We discuss philanthropy, foundations, shadow networks, and the private drivers of public policy from the Koch Brothers to the Gates-inspired Giving Pledge. b) To what extent is a libertarian world-view pushing down taxes and reducing the size of government while increasing concentrations of private wealth? Has there also been an increase in charitable and public-benefit giving? c) Is private generosity displacing public dollars in supporting charitable, educational, research, and other non-governmental institutions? Has this shift in funding created a change in priorities for these dollars? d) How much of this private giving is transparent? Can we tell where the money is going and to what ends? e) Government bureaucracy has a terrible reputation for waste and fraud. Is this kind of philanthropy more effective? Does it get the job done