From 1,000 Points of Light to 1

George H.W. Bush (the "good Bush") spoke about empowering private, charitable organizations providing assistance to the poor and needy, referring to them as "a thousand points of light" which extend the tradition of religious and other non-profit organizations rising to help fellow Americans.

Charitable organizations depend on donations from private citizens to do their work.  For nearly 100 year, taxpayers have been able to deduct their donations on their tax return - an implicit acknowledgement by the Federal government of the importance of these organizations and the benefits they extend.  While the limit on deductions is targeted at "high-income earners" (echoing Obama's constant refrain that the "rich pay their fair share"), it is these people who are the most generous in providing donations to non-profits. 

Under the Obama administration, the government may turn its back on these non-profits by scaling back the deductions.  Typical of the hubris of the administration, top White House aides have pressed non-profits to line up behind the president’s plan for reducing the federal deficit and averting the year-end “fiscal cliff.”  In other words, play by my rules or get hosed.

It seems that Bush's 1,000 points of light may be slowly extinguished save one.  The Federal government.