Bush Is Said to Seek More Money for Arts [$15 million to $20 million for NEA]

New York Times ^ | January 29, 2004 | ROBERT PEAR

[Azzurri]

What an absolute waste. Reading this sickens me.

[Viking2002]

Man, I don't know about you good folks, but Bush is driving me to drink.

[GeronL]

The OLD thread

go and tell them we have a new thread with the story!

[Keith]

I think Mrs. Bush believes that you lead by example...if the National Endowment starts to fund true art and not pornography, then perhaps it's setting a good example. At least, I think that is what the first lady has in mind...perhaps she is right.

[martin_fierro]

AHCHOO!

There's your artwork. Where's my NEA grant?

You're welcome.

<|:)~

[KantianBurke]

the agency also gives priority to projects that cater to "underserved populations," including members of minority groups in urban neighborhoods with high poverty rates.

Wow! In addition to being unconstitutional, its going to discriminate on the basis of race. Thanks Dubya, you dolt!

[browardchad]

Mr. Tancredo expressed dismay. "We are looking at record deficit and potential cuts in all kinds of programs," he said. "How can I tell constituents that I'll take money away from them to pay for somebody else's idea of good art? I have no more right to do that than to finance somebody else's ideas about religion."

Well done, Mr. Tancredo. At least someone in Congress is willing to speak up for their constituents, while the rest of the spineless critters wallow in pork fat.

[ambrose]

Isn't this just special?

[GeronL]

Glory for the State!! All hail the mighty State!!

[lepton]

Ugh

[secret garden]

Big mistake.

[GeronL]

affirmative action art!!??

[DoughtyOne]

I don't say this with malice, but this president is not well grounded in conservatism. I will probably vote for the guy later this year, but this just sickens me. If the arts are so damned important, why don't those who make trillions from the arts, pitch in?

Does Bush honestly think the NEA supporters are going to vote for him? This is just shocking, it's so ill advised. Why not increase the NPR funding at the same time? Yikes.

[Doctor Stochastic]

This isn't surprisng. Conservatives generally support more government if they can control it. Same as Liberals.

[smokeyb]

ping

[KantianBurke]

"Why not increase the NPR funding at the same time?"

Don't give that simpleton any ideas please.

[laweeks]

Just incredible! He's walking into a defeat if he thinks he can keep trashing conservative principles like this. Why don't the Republican leaders have the fire in the belly that the Democrats have? Can you imagine ANY of the Democrats cutting taxes, passing pro-life bills, eliminating afirmative action, or being against homosexual "marriages"?

Why in the world do conservative "leaders" cave in and appease the liberals? Is there a stateman anywhere at the top of conservative politics?

[Pukin Dog]

If paying for this comes with new rules establishing what is Art and more importantly, what AINT art, then go ahead.

If this means cutting off the radical left from the funds, in favor of a more balanced approach, so be it.

[kristinn]

Representative Louise M. Slaughter, a New York Democrat who is co-chairwoman of the Congressional Arts Caucus, said she was delighted to learn of Mr. Bush's proposal.

"There's nothing in the world that helps economic development more than arts programs," Ms. Slaughter said. "It was foolish for Congress to choke them and starve them. We should cherish the people who can tell us who we are, where we came from and where we hope to go."

This attitude alone is reason enough to kill off the NEA. But no, we'll increase the deficit instead.