BUDGET INCREASE FOR THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF THE ARTS

The Drudge Report ^ | 01-28-2004 | Matt Drudge

[Captain Peter Blood]

BUSH TO SEEK BIG BUDGET INCREASE FOR NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS... Laura Bush plans to announce the request -- for the largest increase in two decades -- on Thursday... Developing...

[Captain Peter Blood]

What is going on? Republicans have been working for at least 10 years to Kill this Department and De-Fund it. Now why is Bush set to increase it to it's highest levels in 20 years? It is this kind of idiocy from Bush that makes me wonder what he, and of course Rove, are thinking. Spending is up under Bush, all these new programs he is proposing, like the Prescription Drug bill, are exploding federal spending all out of control. My God if I want Nanny State care and massive spending I can vote for Democrats. Where in the Hell is the Republican Leadeship on this? There ain't going to be any Hollywood votes for this and this really is pandering to the lowest degree along with the Immigration idea!!!

[MamaLucci]

It's called "triangulation". Worked like a charm for Clinton.
I'd hoped for better from President Bush.

[Enterprise]

Disgusting, if true.

[Bernard Marx]

Bump.

[victoryovertheleft]

Well, let's wait to see what exactly is in it.

After all the "biggest increase in twenty years" might amount to a few million dollars.

It might also be used to fund patriotic art or propaganda efforts overseas.

It won't be put exactly that way, of course- but something like that.

In any case, within the scheme of the Federal Budget, whatever is proposed will be pocket change.

[Dog Gone]

If this story is accurate, it's a strategic error on the part of the White House.

[Hildy]

Why is he torturing us like this? Why? It makes no sense. If I go with me thesis that you can't say Bush is a man of conscience about the war, but does other things purely out of political motivation. So is this really his conscience? If so, I truly need to rethink him. I know, what's the alternative...but it's getting harder and harder to make my mouth say those words.

[GeronL]

No.. conservatives want to kill the endowment.... Republicans want to be re-elected more than anything else.

Its party over principle

[RWR8189]

Mr President, we have this little thing called the deficit.

I'm not trying to be some anti-Bush guy like some people around here are, but this is the type of worthless spending that is just not needed.

What happened to 1% growth in non-defense non-homeland security spending?

[victoryovertheleft]

Then you're a damned fool.

[oceanview]

but it doesn't work for Bush, he gets no mass media attention for this, and only negative coverage from conservative media sources, so its a net loss. its the insanity of Karl Rove again.

[GeronL]

Of course, earlier in the week there was a rumor he wanted to LIMIT spending.... I knew it wasn't true

[farmfriend]

Who are the Democrats in the race again?

[Bush Cheney]

Call me naive, ignorant, or both, but what the hell is the national endowment for the arts?

[victoryovertheleft]

Again, wait to hear before doing a "scream-and-leap" over a little snip on Drudge.

The FY 2003 Budget for the NEA was $115.731 million. That included a $10 million increase that was the "biggest in years". We're probably talking about something like $20 million.

[Johnny_Cipher]

Well, let's wait to see what exactly is in it.

Thank you. I too want to hear the words (or see them) before believing this.

[oceanview]

the Democrats in the race? they have other names, but Kofi Annan and Osama Ben Laden might as well be running.

[victoryovertheleft]

The NEA is a fund which gives grants to various arts.

Conseravtives (such amy myself) have hated it in the past because money from it has gone to fund perverted art.

But, if it goes to fund patriotic art- what's wrong with that? A good use of money, so far as I'm concerned.

[RWR8189]

I'd rather have our troops just a little more comfortable and safe overseas than flush $20 million down the toilet.

[ovrtaxt]

Why, that's where your tax money goes to fund stuff like a crucifix in a jar of urine, or photos of a guy with a bullwhip handle shoved up his butt.

Isn't big government great?

[tubavil]

Is bush a closet socialist?

[pollywog]

Sick.....just sick!!

[Boiling point]

Talk about welfare for the rich! N.E.A. Is nothing but funding to allow the rich to indulge their hobbies at the expense of the taxpayers. At least that is what the left will call it now that a republican wants to fund it.

[victoryovertheleft]

That might well be better spent here, if it is spent well.

It won't be going to fund a Crucifix in Urine, or anything like that.

As some of you might recall, Ken Burns' film The Civil War was partially funded by the NEA and it, IMHO, is the one piece of patriotic filmmaking of recent years which will be long-remembered.

[dts32041]

Yup the pubbies are sure conservative aren't they big education increases, cfr, now this.

Oh well where are the conservatives going to go, conservatives have become the demo rat blacks of the pubbie party.

[ovrtaxt]

But, if it goes to fund patriotic art- what's wrong with that? A good use of money, so far as I'm concerned.

Wouldn't you rather keep your own money and buy or create your own patriotic art with it? Government has no business doing this.

[faithincowboys]

I think he is trying to soften them, but he needs to understand that it's appeasement.

I actually think the libs will say this is irresponsible in a time of deficits. In some ways, I see the intelligence of this, but I think he could have put the money towards Pell grants.

[GeronL]

That must have been a trial balloon that went nowhere.

[Beck_isright]

They need more money for the illegal alien undocumented worker artists to create more perverted art. Just doing the preverted things normal Americans don't want.

[eddie willers]

If this story is accurate, it's a strategic error on the part of the White House.

Damn right.
No more Andrew Cunanan musicals!

[victoryovertheleft]

Give me a break folks, you're going to give your tacit support to the Party of Treason over a few million? How stupid are you?

[Amerigomag]

And the apologists just keep posting the mantra over and over and over again.

Welcome to the RNC edition of FreeRepublic. The vast middle conspiracy.

[MamaLucci]

They are either so far removed from the grassroots that
they don't see the very real anger out here
(particularly over the immigration proposal) or they just don't care.

[Merdoug]

Just be a good little Bushbot and keep repeating:
"Bush can do no wrong,...."
"Bush can do no wrong,..."

[Captain Peter Blood]

It's a government outfit that dispenses funds all over the country for the so called Arts, like museums, acting, etc.
It's a waste of money. They give money to a lot of controversial projects that really need to be handled by private money not taxpayer funds.
Republicans have been trying to put this agency out of business for along time. Finally had really cut their budget down to the bare bones and now Bush wants lots of new funding for them. Unreal!

[RaceBannon]

Because Bush is not a Conservative. He is a republican.

[victoryovertheleft]

Governments thoughout history have funded patriotic art and memorials. The NEA designed the Vietnam Memorial, for example (or, rather sponsored its design).

And, while I'd happily pay for patriotic art- it's rather clear that a lot of other people won't. Therefore, government should encourage it.

[GeronL]

Many Republicans are statists... just a little less than Democrats

Very few seem very conservative

[Nanodik]

The FY 2003 Budget for the NEA was $115.731 million. That included a $10 million increase that was the "biggest in years". We're probably talking about something like $20 million.

Kind of like that saying "a million here, a million there and pretty soon you're talking real money". This is totally in keeping with Dubya. The guy has not seen a federal program he won't throw a billion dollars at.

[freedomcrusader]

Just when I come around to the idea of voting for Bush again, he goes and does something I despise...

If this is true, then I give up on America.

[Old Fud]

Republicans have been working for at least 10 years to Kill this Department and De-Fund it.

Oldthink, Cap'n. We need to reach out to the aspiring Mapplethorpes, Annie Sprinkles, and Joel Peter Witkins and win 'em with a little tax funded compassion. Why art would cease to be produced without NEA funding; your mind ain't right.

Yeah, /sarcasm.

[Nanodik]

Is bush a closet socialist?

He has been out of the closet for some time now. It's just that most of his supporters have their heads in the sand.

[yonif]

Shhh....

Its better then the Democratic opinion on the matter /sarcasm

[victoryovertheleft]

We're talking about a few million here, calm down.

We'd have to increase their budget by $10 million a year for a hundred years to get to a billion.

[Peach]

Hopefully Congress will just say "no." Loudly and clearly.

[pollywog]

If this story is accurate, it's a strategic error on the part of the White House.

You had better believe it! If he ends up out of office, HE DESERVES IT after this!

[tubavil]

Why is he torturing us like this?

Theory: He thinks he is invincible and as such attempts to broaden his appeal by giving our money for more "Piss Christ's."

Expect a pre-election last minute slight change of direction but it will be too late, nobody will trust him by then.

One termer.

[yonif]

Its party over principle

Bump.