Posted by Doug on July 02, 2003 at 10:35:05:
In Reply to: Re: "How to Kill Orchestras" - NY Times posted by Socialist on July 02, 2003 at 00:25:09:
Political affiliation has nothing to do with it. However, I loathe this attitude of "Well, so-and-so is having hard times. I guess they can't succeed on their own. Let the government support them." We see this in so many other social areas as well, which is not my point. But the effects of this thinking are universal.
How does it benefit the orchestra to force those who don't like classical music to fund its programs? Telling the public, you're paying for it anyway, so you'd better come isn't a way to get more audience members, it's a way to get major public outcry to shut these organizations down, or return them to the private sector. Then we'd be back where we started.
If we government subsidize orchestras, why not every struggling garage band? Why not the bearded guy who plays the hammered dulcimer at mountain festivals? Why not the 3-year-old who bangs on piano keys?
Instead of continuously asking for government handouts, figure out why you're not succeeding and fix it. Rick outlined a solution below, and it would work, I believe. And it'd entertain and draw more listeners than some government funded program.
That's my opinion,
Doug "who can't find anywhere in the Constitution a provision for subsidizing the arts as an enumerated power of the governemnt" G