[TheConservator]

My post from previous thread:

I supported Bush up until the moment I read about this proposal.

Given the history of this issue, his proposal to ramp up funding for the NEA is the clearest possible f)(k you signal Bush could possibly send to his conservative base.

And what is the point? This makes no political sense whatsoever! The damage he is doing to the conservative base--at a time when that base is already becoming enraged at his overspending--is clearly going to cost him 100 times the votes he might purchase by this small extra bit of pork largesse.

I might be able to stomache this if I thought it was part of a maneuver for larger political gain. But there is no suggestion of that here.

This is just incredible, colossal stupidity. And I will not support stupidity.

[rwfromkansas]

I am going to try to get in touch with a WH spokesman and ask "In light of the current deficit and growing discontent among conservatives, what purpose is served by just tossing money at an organization considered immoral by many...rather than cleaning it up with requiring stiffer standards or simply removing all funding?"

It will be interesting to see the response if I get through.

[Dave Olson]

Robert Heinlein once wrote, "A government supported artist is an incompetent whore." Government has no business funding art -- even art that I happen to like.

That being said, there are a couple of issues that are too important to risk losing them out of anger over money given to an artist. Specifically the war on terror and judicial appointments.

Can anyone imagine Wesley Clark having to deal with Kim Jung Il? Or John Kerry with Fidel Castro? Or Howard Dean possessing nuclear launch codes? How about a couple of retired conservative Supreme Court justices being replaced by a couple of Ruth Bader Ginsbergs? There's just too much at stake to toss away out of petulance and spite.

So although I oppose this shear wasting of good money, Bush will still get my vote.

[#3Fan]

I supported Bush up until the moment I read about this proposal.

Wow, you survived CFR, "religion of peace", immigration reform proposal, education reform, health reform proposal, and it is this one dime per citizen that did it for you? lol Don't you guys have anything better than the "I've voted Republican since Lincoln, but nevermore" bit?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

I have to agree - this looks like a purposeful insult. It's not as damaging as the amnesty for illegals, but symbolically this could not be worse. What the HELL is going on?