Published on 29 Mar 2017
This week, James & Antony experiment with a slightly longer format, and get into the issue of government funding for the arts.
March 30, 2017
Words & Numbers: The Arts Will Survive Without Your Taxes
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I listened to the first half of the podcast, and it seems you are arguing against the facade. For every government expenditure there is some excuse or rationale, but that is certainly not what motivates politicians to fund it. This funding provides lots of job opportunities for the politicians’ supporters’ kids, friends, what-have-you, with good salaries, negligible requirements and hours, and benefits to boot. Of course there has to be a rationale to justify it, but don’t be confused that this actually was used in deciding to fund it. Instead, think of it as the ‘Fake Justification’, and don’t waste time on it. Instead, dig into the mechanism for money being spent, people being hired, diligence of the employees, and so on. I am actually really surprised that you went for the fake stuff.
Comment by Commenter0 — March 30, 2017 @ 13:59
I won’t go so far as to declare every government program as just a façade to cover the hiring of cronies and the expenditure of money to favoured groups or companies, but there’s certainly some of that happening at every level of government. I think government in general tries to do too much, wasting a lot of time, money, and material in the process. In almost every case, I’m in favour of smaller, less intrusive government … which would also reduce the opportunities for the kind of corruption you list.
Comment by Nicholas — March 30, 2017 @ 14:14