Republicans are determined to silence the only large media outlet that is not completely controlled by corporate interests. Of course, they won’t admit to that — they claim that they are trying to save taxpayer money. Even though the CBO says that the move to defund NPR will not save a penny of the taxpayer’s money.
For added irony, see Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) bring some delicious sarcasm to the budget table:
See also Ron Paul blast fellow Republicans for defunding NPR when they could actually do something by cutting money spent in Afghanistan.
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I’ve read comments on other sites about this where people have said they don’t want their tax money to go to something that they don’t support, in this case left-wing media, and the GOP has used this as an excuse as well. Well, I don’t want my tax dollars going to support privately owned corporations, any of our current wars or military testing projects, abstinence only education, or the pensions of our lawmakers. Does that mean we can stop funding those, too? I didn’t think so.
We all have to pay taxes for things we don’t personally believe in or use. If we didn’t, there would be no interstate highway system, no national parks – the list goes on. Anyone that wants to only have their tax dollars spent on things they personally want needs to join the LIbertarian party, where they are philosophically in the right place and safely out of the way of actually getting power 🙂
How about stopping the funding for Nascar racing also. ( $29 million )
I agree in principal. They have to look at DOD, HHS, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Everything else is just peanuts and politics. There are however some really unnecessary discretionary type spending that can be cut. Ethanol, Harry’s cowboy poetry, oil subsidies, corporate welfare, support to big banks, fannie and freddie and on and on…..then look at things like NPR if it’s still not enough.
Why don’t we end the war in Afghanistan? 10 Billion dollars a month would end the debate on government spending right there. If we’re not prepared to do that, then at least cut the costs and put that money to better uses.
I think the real answer to why we keep funding war is a bi-partisan ageeement that war and all its necessary materials is good for local economies and for political contributions. The more money politicians through at back home businesses the more money they get for campaigns, which in turn helps them get re-elected. A never ending cycle, until we demand term limits.
Harry’s cowboy poetry? That’s a new one to me. Can you explain?
Harry Reid when making a speech on the floor of the senate in opposition to HR1 recently, said it was mean spritied and cut funding fo the Nevada COwboys Poetry festival held annually in his home state.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0311/Reid_Save_federal_funding_for_the_cowboy_poets.html
Interesting. I had no idea there even was a cowboy poetry festival.
But I cannot say I’m surprised that this would be on the chopping block for Republicans. They are always trying to cut funding to the arts and humanities. I personally believe that we should be providing support for these kinds of things. Not only are the arts and the humanities important human endeavors, but these festivals have significant economic impacts locally. Considering that hundreds and sometimes thousands of people can be employed directly and indirectly with these types festivals, not to mention the sales that occur, I think there may be a stronger economic argument for supporting the cowboy poetry festival than, say abstinence only sex education.
What I am curious about is how much funding was directed at this festival (or even all poetry festivals) compared to the line item for Nascar marketing.
I agree Starluna if we are going to really tighten our federal belts then all absolutely non-essential spending should go. But when thats not the case it’s all politically motivated whether chopping or saving.
The cowboy poetry is probably something I’d actually enjoy taking my family to, but i’m not sure on the fed. pricetag.