Posted by Rick Denney on May 06, 2003 at 18:15:48:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Our business posted by Bill on May 06, 2003 at 16:32:03:
There are a few functions of government that are mandated by the Constitution, and the national defense is one of them.
My principle was what would get strong support from the population at large, with the national defense being the only exception, since it is mandated in the constitution. If the arts get government funding because the people want it, then fine. I may disagree with it, but the debate is held and the consensus is reached. So much of arts funding, though, is beyond that debate and outside that consensus, and that's what will ultimately undermine support for the arts rather than bolstering it.
Yes, society supports many things that are beneficial to itself. But imposing the definition of "beneficial" by a few to the many is the problem.
(By the way, I agree with your statement about porn, but if you remove those non-artistic consumers of porn, I think the support that remains would definitely put it in the category of needed NEA funding, heh, heh. The big money ain't coming from those strange folks who really think it is art.)
Transportation is a subject I know a little about.
If you don't want to pay for roads, then don't. The vote often goes that way. Roadway plans are always debated and frequently defeated in the political arena. Around here in Northern Virginia, the people voted against an extra one-cent sales tax devoted to transportation, despite terribly severe congestion, because they didn't think VDOT would spend it wisely, and they were upset that Richmond keeps sending all the big current tax money from region down south (that's an example of a reaction against a redistributive policy, by the way). The debate was held and the consensus tested. And this result was in spite of the fact that there ARE NOT plenty of houses close in, as demonstrated by the price differential based on location. In Leesburg, VA, a $250K house would cost $400K 25 miles closer in in McLean, and you'd have to be prepared to pay your earnest money on the day the house becomes available. Despite demand oustripping supply, people still voted against more roadway funding through additional taxes. Are the people wrong? Maybe. But it doesn't matter, because it is their choice. (I voted for the additional tax, by the way.)
In many places, roads are indeed built by the private or quasi-private sector as a result of "go and build your own damn roads." They are called toll-roads. I drive on one every single day--costs me nearly four bucks round trip. And you can't drive 15 feet around New York without paying a toll. Just try to get from the Orlando Airport to Disneyworld without paying a toll. You can do it, but it ain't easy. All those roads are the result of public funding being rejected by voters after a debate.
A toll-road is the same thing as an orchestra that derives all its income from concert-goers, and may (perhaps) get a low-interest loan from the government that they then have to pay off. Most state-built public roads in this country are funded by gasoline taxes, and also by car registration fees. Those taxes are paid only by users (i.e. concert-goers), commensurate with their use. Ineffient SUV owners pay more, not less. In the local agencies were I've worked, 100% of the roadway funding came from the sale of bonds, voted by the electorate. Only subsidized transit is anything like a subsidized orchestra, and most folks vote against it when they have the chance.
As to deregulation of power in California, they didn't really deregulate all the way. They deregulated supply but not delivery, and that opened the door to their problems. But I'm happy to think of power as a user-paid utility, which is is, and allow it to be subject to some regulation. Bailing out the airlines was in response to an external attack--since the effects of that attack have passed, the government has not been bailing out the airlines further, despite continued big problems.
I think you need better examples. Remember, I work with government agencies every day.
If the system we have now works, then why did theis thread appear? We have orchestras going belly-up all over the place. Is that an example of the system working? Do you think people are more cultured now than they were 40 years ago, before many of these programs were instituted?
Rick "reading the facts differently" Denney