It would be interesting to know whether there ever has been a time in this nation’s history when there was such an effort to raise private funds to help pay for a wide range of programs.

These programs include funds to supplement educational needs from K-12 to higher education, medical research, funds to support summer playground activities, special funds for children with disabilities, funds to send underprivileged children to various camps, funds to supplement teacher salaries, funds to pay for school programs formerly funded by the state, funds for statues, memorials or public art, events to raise funds for all kinds of causes.

The fact is, most such efforts are worthy and help thousands of people. It should be noted, however, that most of those who are providing these extra funds are members of the older generation, those who have been able to save during their productive years and who know the importance of putting money away.

Many in today’s younger generation are great spenders rather than savers. What is going to happen to fund-raising efforts when the “savers” are gone? Will those in today’s younger generation have the means to support the ever-growing list of projects seeking private fiscal assistance?

Also, it is interesting to note how taxes are eating into the ability of many to make generous contributions to a never-ending list of worthy causes.

There’s no easy, painless answer. If local, state and federal governments are expected to pay the bills now covered by private giving, either taxes will have to be raised or major, across-the-board cutbacks will be required for all government-funded programs.

Otherwise, private citizens and companies will be asked to dig deeper into their pockets to help finance the thousands of programs seeking public support.

There’s one more possibility. Maybe the fiscal condition of local, state and federal governments, as well as a growing number of taxpayers, will be such that everyone can’t have everything they want. Maybe some will have to do without.

There was a time in this nation’s history when that was, indeed, the case. Have we become spoiled and forgotten the importance of saving and not thinking the government or someone else owes us just about anything we desire?