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As the grandfather of three boys & one girl, none of whom watch much commercial trash at all, I don't think the taxpayer should be forced to suppliment "public" broadcasting.
Besides, the commercialization profits from Sesame Street could take up the slack.
See, I don't mind paying taxes when I can see the benefit of those taxes.
UNLIKE your average right wing nutball, I don't have to be the RECIPIENT of those benefits to see them and appreciate them.
But in this case, I am. My family benefits every single day from the subsidizing of public television. It's one of those things that differentiates us from places like...well any Third World hole.
No, there are tons of reasons to support public television & radio not least of which is because it's so educational for both children and adults. Plus I enjoy it tremendously when they do 30 minute or even half an hour in-depth pieces on topics of the day. It's almost impossible to get commercial radio or tv to do a full on hour commercial free piece like that and I'm glad we have at least one outlet which gives Americans that choice.
Besides, most of the funding wing nuts want cut target Mr Rogers and Sesame Street. Talk about shooting the wrong target.
Yeah. Soooo educational. Last week, I checked in with my local NPR station to learn how to grow marijuana plants and then came some "beautiful" anti-cop poetry from the '60's all the while listening to constant calls for donations. Maybe, most taxpayers might be a little reticent to have more of THEIR money wasted on this stuff. But, then I guess since YOU say that YOU "enjoy it tremendously" then I guess we all should pay...
Until then, I'm forced to contribute? Why not make it a line item on the tax forms like the presidential contribution box?
In your opinion.
Sure, in my opinion.
I'm forced to contribute taxes to build roads I'll never drive on. But someone will, and it benefits the country as a whole. Being OK with this doesn't make me a communist or a socialist, just a taxpayer.
I guess I'd be OK making it a line item...except that the very people who need it most would probably not contribute.
Not all government is bad. NPR and PBS are two things the government does pretty well - I think PBS is a great example of successful semi-privatized corporation. I like to reward good work with more funding.
What's wrong with using a relatively SMALL amount of taxpayer money to help promote real culture? Don't you think it socially responsible to push back against the constant tide of crapola the commercial outlets provide us?
Cutting NPR and PBS will only cause aspiring reporters and news anchorpersons to lose their ability to get meaningful and insightful internships and potentially careers. Many a photographer, reporter, and columnist have gotten their start on these.
EVEN CONSERVATIVE ONES!
So let me ask you all who are opposed to funding them based on it being a political propoganda tool or other such poppycock ...
Have you actually listened to it? It's quite moderate as a matter of fact, and highbrow.
I was just listening to a piece the other day about how the government SHOULD cut funding to some schools. If that ain't republican leaning, I don't know what is.
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