[marvin]

Of course, but then you're right back at where you started: Taxation.

Charities are much more common in the US than in Europe, because they cover services and treatments which are provided by the public sector in European countries. In the US, many of these services are based on voluntary donations and volunteering.

Of course, if the state is as corrupt as it is in the US, I understand the reluctance to pay more taxes. But in effect, charities do the same thing, except veiled by the fact that contributions are voluntary.