I work for my money, and I pay for people's work. "Donations" is kind of pointless imo. Why donate even to the bitcoin client itself, when you could just charge the communty fees for development? Ever example of donations being useful can be met with an argument for how to earn money through work. Just my opinion.
For the same reason people donate to charities; their purpose isn't earning income by "working" (they already work), it's helping people. Fees are forced; the point of Bitcoin is not having to pay fees to a central authority.
Work is work. When you want someone to do something, they do not become the 'central authority' just because they are receiving money for their work. You undervalue your time friend and are confusing charity with rewards.
"I need to pay rent this month-- please donate to my address" <-- this is idiotic for me, because I can make a service or product to earn money. Why can't everyone else?
