[kitkat]

***Good, write them a check. But don't expect everyone else to pay for it.***

Are you saying that you're against giving our future (and present) children an opportunity to see and appreciate art? Do you believe that only the rich and privileged should be allowed to see art?

[NittanyLion]

Are you saying that you're against giving our future (and present) children an opportunity to see and appreciate art? Do you believe that only the rich and privileged should be allowed to see art?

Do you believe that absent government funding, only the rich and privileged will be able to see art? You've never heard of privately-funded foundations?

[kenth]

No, he's saying he's against you supporting the government forcibly taking his money to fund other people's ideas of art. Did you not see some of the things funded in 2003 that I listed earlier in the thread? Just go to the NEA website and see more of the same. I can understand your point of view that funding Shakespeare is a worthy idea, but I don't understand your thinking that it should be funded by the government with other people's money.

Are there no museums, libraries, or universities in your state? There are many ways in which to introduce art to your children on your own. You don't have to rely on the government to ensure your children a well rounded education. Or does it take federal funding for the art to be considered professional?

[AppyPappy]

Are you saying that you're against giving our future (and present) children an opportunity to see and appreciate art?

Are you saying that art cannot exist unless it is purchased by the government?

[nicmarlo]

kitkat and Tom, here's an excellent article, Bush and the New NEA, IMHO, on this issue:

As someone who refuses to apply for grants, and who opposes federal funding for the arts, I am torn somewhat over President Bush's latest initiative to increase the budget for the National Endowment for the Arts by 18 million dollars. While I can't agree with it on core principle, I am a realist. The NEA, like most frivolous federal organizations, is here to stay. Even if Bush were a hard-right conservative, he would still be working to effect change within the system rather than without. He understands the nature of politics, compromise and reciprocity, and it would do no good to outright decimate an organization that has become institutionalized; better to get control of it instead.

* * *

The new NEA intends to slowly turn its back on multiculturalism (a word that means, "We hate Western culture") by promoting Shakespeare and other great English writers, by promoting classical music and jazz (uniquely American), and by focusing on our own achievements via the American Masterpieces Program. Furthermore, Goia's NEA is trying to change our handouts-oriented culture by educating artists on how to get funds through means other than government channels. The emphasis is on education and self-reliance, which should be welcome news to conservatives.

[snip]