The old saying about advocates for collectivism wanting to ride coattails is likely true. Just look for the perpetual also-ran on a slate of candidates in a traditional non-slate election.

Anyway, the United Way does a lot of good, but I’ve never liked how it visits organizations asking for payroll deductions. Although the deductions are voluntary, people don’t know where their money is going. One could almost expect some nut-job charity to sandwich itself amongst strong performers. Yet, this week, the City of Asheville is going to hear a report from staff about EarthShare NC’s request to add their organization to the United Way as a possible recipient of employee contributions. EarthShare, like the United Way, is an overhead organization that collects contributions for disbursement. Organizations to which EarthShare NC contributes include the Audobon Society, the Conservation Trust for NC, NC Rail-Trails, Inc., and the Western North Carolina Alliance. It also supports the African Wildlife Foundation, the Earth Day Network, Friends of the Earth, the Sierra Club Foundation, the Trust for Public Land, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

What? You disagree with one of those groups? Tough. You will contribute to their causes as middlemen municipal employees serve as laundering agents. SWEET!