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

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

[Finalapproach29er]

Where in the Consitution is the authority granted?

This isn't about the money.

"Having the government finacially support that which you oppose is the worst form of tyranny". (paraphrase)
- Thomas Jefferson

[FairOpinion]

"are you under the opinion that it will be a very, very close election?"

==

As a matter of fact I am concerned that it will be a very close election. The Dems will pull out all the stops -- every dead person, illegal alien, felon will be voting for the Democrat not once, but twice.

Wishful thinking is one thing, I hope Bush wins by a landslide, but you can't underestimate the viciousness, underhandedness, and determination of the Democrats.

That is why conservatives better think real hard about their votes -- they may be the once giving the election to the Dems, as they have given it to Clinton -- history repeating itself, making GW Bush a one term president.

The consequences will be too terrible to contemplate --- it will revive Al Qaeda -- but people will wake up too late.

[FairOpinion]

"This isn't about the money. "

==

No, it isn't. It's about an election.

[SAMWolf]

Why not increase the NPR funding at the same time? Yikes.

Don't give him any more ideas.

[for-q-clinton]

How many more insults must you receive to go through with it?

It depends on how much I hate the RAT nominee. If I think he'll be ineffective and that our congress will keep him in check, then I'll be staying at home. Voting isn't easy as it requires me to drive somewhere and wait in line. I hate waiting in line and I hate leaving my house to go wait in line. So unless something motivates me to vote I will be sitting my arse on the sofa watching the election on TV.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..but we love getting off on irrelevant symbolic issues don't we? On to Mars...

Brutal, Torie, but you nailed it. The Mars mission is this president's Sudanese aspirin plant.

[over3Owithabrain]

Bush is flicking his middle digit square at moral conservatives with this move. You personally like that and find it refreshing - fine. But why do you think this will attract more people than it repels? What straw will be the last? I'm not talking about myself, but even people whom you might find loopy on the right supply much-needed votes. You're dreaming if you think the NPR crowd is going to leave Lake Wobegon for Bush because he threw a few taxpayer dollars their way.

[Torie]

Freepers will get over it, except those that were on a final exit strategy anyway. Freepers that get fixated on this puppie are simply not in the game, politically. They are just ventilating, and probably most of those don't have much interest in "art" anyway. Art is for girlie men. OK, the issue is whether the government should subsidize it on the surface. But do you think that is really the source of the emotion over the spending of pennies? Of course not.

[flashbunny]

"Once elected, a person becomes the President of the United States.

The President does not represent only Republicans or Democrats, but must move into a much more important job.

His one and only job, and that is to represent ALL citizens of the United States of America"

Nice try, but this is the actual oath - you know, the one where he put his hand on the bible and swore to:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

And I see not one damn thing about giving more money to artists who can't support themselves in the constitution.

[MJY1288]

This is all about Laura, She gave a speech to a group of people concerning the 'Arts' and children, she said that the "Arts" have been defunded over the years and that it's an important part of our culture and should be preserved. It's kinda hard to deny 15 to 20 Million to the "Arts" when we increased the Defense bill by Approx. 100 Billion in the past three years.

Not that I think we should fund the "Arts", but this is hardly deserves all the hand wringing and the standard "This is it, Bush has lost my vote" Where were all these people yesterday when the proposal to cut spending by over 100 million to the FAA?

[dagnabbit]

Actually I much rather Bush used little token things like NEA funds to reach out to soccer moms, urban professionals, gays, whatever - than to completely sell-out the Country attempting to narrow his losing margin among Hispanics.

[yonif]

That is why conservatives better think real hard about their votes

So to win, its ok to forgoe the conservative voters and go get some liberals on your side.....

[claptrap]

Why Philly suburban wives? Do they even vote? Arent they too busy in the kitchen with cheesesteaks?

[Torie]

Nope, Bush isn't going to win over the NPR crowd over this one. As Diddly said, it will attract some of those that irrationally fear that Bush is a captive of the religious right nutters, and thus he may do a bit better in the suburbs of the large urban areas where he ran so suck last time. The red meaters aren't going to vote for Kerry anyway.

[over3Owithabrain]

"That is why conservatives better think real hard about their votes"

Agree completely. Conversely, don't you think Bush ought to think long and hard about the conservative vote?

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...the UNAPPEASABLES on FR, has NEVER been his " base"!...

Freepers aren't unappeasable, madame.

They'd settle for conservative crumbs from this president, in amongst his generous portions for the liberals. It's your ego that drives this back-to-the-wall attack on the President's critics, here. You just refuse to admit you've been wrong about him.

[DoughtyOne]

LOL, good one.

[MARTIAL MONK]

I haven't read anyone getting upset about below market rate lease rates to ranchers who rent land from the feds for cattle grazing.

Why don't we just charge them the full pop then. At the same time we can go back and charge full market rates for all the land that was homesteaded and nail the railroads for the sections that were granted to them. The cattle leases were designed to always be cheap land.

The government designated arable (and some not so arable) land for homesteading. When they got to the arid areas of Eastern Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming they knew that the land would never support dry farming. To encourage development they first considered Mexican style land grants to cattle growers. When they found out the vast acerages necessary for even minimal survival ranching they realized that the public would never go for the give away of such large tracts. As a substitute they settled on leasing, for a deliberately minimal amount, the same tracts. The leases were meant to be under market in perpetuity.

Jacking the lease rates now would be a breach of trust.

[Finalapproach29er]

Leaders teach, persuade people. This made Reagan great.

GWB just goes along with big government. Doesn't try to persuade people its no government role.

No change is brought. That's why we now spend $2 Trillon every 12 months.

[flashbunny]

nice rant, but it's about the constitution.