Sarah Palin trashes National Endowment for the Arts
Television commentator and half-term Alaska governor Sarah Palin trashed the National Endowment for the Arts recently, describing the agency as "frivolous" in a Thursday interview on a Fox News talk show.
"NPR, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, all those kind of frivolous things that government shouldn't be in the business of funding with tax dollars -- those should all be on the chopping block as we talk about the $14-trillion debt that we're going to hand to our kids and our grandkids," Palin told right-wing host Sean Hannity. "Yes, those are the type of things that for more than one reason need to be cut."
Palin did not elaborate on what the other reasons might be for chopping the NEA budget. But the government of every major civilization in world history has also prominently funded the arts.
The comment about the NEA came during a discussion of the ailing U.S. economy. Palin is certainly conversant with frivolous activity, but her grasp of the economy is weak.
Debt reduction would barely be affected by penciling out the small federal arts agency, which currently operates on a $161-million annual budget. Palin's support of a federal subsidy for the notorious "bridge to nowhere" in her state became a campaign issue when she ran for vice president on the 2008 Republican ticket. That local project carried a price tag of $223 million.
"Reality is we have 15 million Americans who are out of work," said Palin. Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry supports 5.7 million jobs and generates $166.2 billion in annual economic activity, according to Americans for the Arts. The NEA is one linchpin in that sizable economy.
In the interview Palin made no statement advocating similar budget cuts to her home state as she recommended for the NEA, which is also in the cross hairs of Washington's Republican leadership. Palin's Alaska gets $1.84 in federal spending for every dollar its citizens pay in federal taxes.
ALSO:
Art review: 'William Leavitt: Theater Objects' at MOCA
Art review: 'Gods of Angkor' at the Getty
Art review: 'Thomas Gainsborough and the Modern Woman' at the San Diego Museum of Art
-- Christopher Knight
Photo: Sarah Palin. Credit: Justin Lane / EPA
I assume that you meant $1.84 billion?
Posted by: Dave | March 16, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Can someone shoot this incredibly ignorant woman to some far off isolated planet???!!!
UNBELIEVABLE!
Posted by: Sophia MP | March 16, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Joseph L. Cooke: Sir, whatever your problem is, I'd seriously suggest you seek therapy. Such an incredibly stupid, childish rant on your part warrants it.
As for Palin: WHO CARES WHAT THIS WOMAN THINKS?
She is not in public office, and lacks the gravitas or humanity to be taken seriously.
Posted by: vegasgirl | March 16, 2011 at 07:24 PM
I would have to say this is one of the most biased things I have read in a while. If this publication reflects the general views of grant recipients maybe the public should consider cutting funding to all of these endowment programs so that they can disband and learn what it is like to benefit from the kindness of the general population rather than being funded by money forced from our wallets and spent without our specific input. Your attitude would change immediateley if you had to worry about offending the individual people that pay for your projects.
Posted by: Brian Case | March 16, 2011 at 07:25 PM
There's a different concept of art amongst those who come from trailer parks.
Posted by: Donald Latham | March 16, 2011 at 07:29 PM
I agree with Sarah Palin! I would vote for her if she ran against Obama in 2012!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | March 16, 2011 at 07:30 PM
I'm just wondering what the heck is she thinking trashing a place where Lynne Cheney worked for seven years??? There's one endorsement she lost...
Posted by: Jennifer | March 16, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Why did Sarah Palin go to the zoo?
Moving targets.
Posted by: Mark | March 16, 2011 at 07:33 PM
The Left is full of hate-speech and you guys just proved it! Long live Sarah Palin and the Tea Party!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | March 16, 2011 at 07:35 PM
161 million/ 14 trillion * 100 = .00115%
Sarah Palin, saving us .00115% at a time while taking away Sesame Street.
Posted by: MathErrata | March 16, 2011 at 07:36 PM
The sad thing is that Sarah Palin is not the only one that thinks the NEA, NPR and NEH are frivolous. Unfortunately, there are many others out there like her. Are there so many people who are so uncurious about the world, that have no sense of exploration? Who are these people?
Posted by: Jenny | March 16, 2011 at 07:41 PM
"But the government of every major civilization in world history has also prominently funded the arts."
-Every world civilisation in history has ultimately failed also, collapsing under the weight of fiscal irresponsibility and burgeoning bureaucracy.
Posted by: Cody Young | March 16, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Why give the douche the time! She's about a dumb as a box of rocks.
Posted by: Ruben Porras | March 16, 2011 at 07:53 PM
Yes, the billions we spend for defense are worth the great security and freedom we feel, but the mere pittance given to environmental, health, education and the arts (which to Sarah Palin is a giant moose head on the wall) are driving us into bankruptcy.
Posted by: Sophie | March 16, 2011 at 07:54 PM
After watching the Blansky documentary on street art, I'm inclined to agree. Check out the film, Exit through the Gift Shop Door, before you jump to conclusions. It might change how you value art.
Posted by: Marie | March 16, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Can we just see her naked and get it over with?
Posted by: Marsattax | March 16, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Wow...I guess Sarah Palin is the opposite of a sacred cow. You and other pretend journalists are able to disregard even the appearance of objectivity when covering this woman. She may be awful but your obvious bias against her is nothing short of unprofessional. Where'd you go to J-school, the Kremlin?
Posted by: Dee | March 16, 2011 at 08:07 PM
The person who wrote this piece is definitely not a plain fan. The despise drips from these words. So much so that they don’t realize throughout history NO government has continued to fund the arts when it’s on the brink ok of bankruptcy. Not now and not ever. And for whatever reason the author doesn’t seem to get the math. Some of these programs as well as many other cuts provide for you a total. The author seems to be suggesting that Sarah Palin believes cutting the arts fund itself would solve our problems. Now we all do realize that’s not what’s been said here right?
The opening line says it all really.
"Television commentator and half-term Alaska governor Sarah Palin”
I sense that to make such comments about Mr Obama’s lack of governing experience amongst many other lacks would probably bother this individual. I voted for Mr Obama. He has proven to be the worst decision I’ve ever made. But at least I don’t attack others (even if I’m no fan of the attacked) because I’m an idiot and like so many others I fell for the lines Mr. Obama was telling..
This is a bias as it comes. And the author is not a credible reporter for either camp. Theres nothing thats news worthy here. So the author clearly took an oprtunity to make thier views on Miss Palin known. And the authors opinion does not qualify as news.
Posted by: Anthony | March 16, 2011 at 08:07 PM
I mean we all understand enough rope to hang yourself, but ENOUGH ALREADY!
Posted by: BRUCE HARRIS | March 16, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Wow! Sarah Palin with more criticisms and no solutions. What a surprise. You have to hand it to her. She doesn't let contrary facts or her complete ignorance of the realities of the federal government get in the way of her thinking. None of this namby pamby pragmatism for her. It's eyes closed and full speed ahead.
Posted by: Dave | March 16, 2011 at 08:14 PM