Friday, November 19, 2010

House fails to eliminate NPR funding


The Hill: The House on Thursday voted to move forward on legislation without voting on a proposal put forth by Republicans to defund NPR. 
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the next majority leader, said the vote demonstrates that Democrats "are still not ready to listen" following their sweeping midterm election losses. […]
The House voted 239-171 to move forward on a teleworking bill without taking up the stripping of NPR's funding. Republicans put the item on the floor through their YouCut program, an initiative that allows the public to vote online on spending cuts they want to see enacted by Congress. […]
Three Democrats, Reps. John Adler (N.J.), Gene Taylor (Miss.) and Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.), voted with Republicans. Adler and Taylor lost their elections two weeks ago. 
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Republicans would not have to try again if they simply waited until next year.  Eric Cantor is clearly playing political games by trying to get Democrats on record for not wanting to cut spending.  That is cute, but at this stage of game it would be far better to actually cut the funding.

Political games like this is what I worry about most with the Republican leadership.  These are the games of yesterday; people are looking for real action from Republicans this time around.

Regarding funding for NPR, it should be terribly obvious that it is unnecessary at this point. Way back in the day before cable and the internet there was a need to fund NPR to provide an independent voice.  Not anymore.  If a ordinary black man from New Jersey can one day get up off his couch one day, start a blog for free and a year later is quoted by the New York Times, Washington Post, National Review and Associated Press, then it is a pretty safe bet that NPR can get their message out without taxpayer dollars. If they can’t, they can always bum a few bucks off the spooky dude.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I used to listen to NPR and local "public" radio quite a lot, even then, I still thought funding part of NPR's program using tax payer money is a crazy.

The local WNYC asked for money every single season, and I stopped listening to them after they spent 45 MILLION DOLLARS buying another radio station [WQXR], that's right after they spent gosh knows how much listener donated money moving into a new multi-level studio in lower Manhattan.

I used to listen to NPR's program "Market Place," their solution to every economic situation is to have an "economist" come on and say the best way to solve any issue is to have "efficient regulations" to "protect consumers."

NPR was literally wetting each other with champagne when Obamacare passed.

NPR had became a socialist, leftist movement radio, and I for one, think it's crazy that 10 percent of their funding comes from stealing tax payer's money and calling themselves "public."

I am so glad Republicans are bringing this scam into attention.

2nd Anony

your pal said...

go to guidestar.org and see the outrageous amount that the head of your local PBS is pulling in. Then he or she will likely have some friends or family on the payroll at good salaries. Then the rest of the employees get paid peanuts.

Btw, make sure you look at 'total compensation' because they do employ the trick of taking only about half of their total as salary. That way when their salary is reported, it doesn't reveal just how much they do siphon from donors contributions.

Solo said...

I feel you, Brother Clifton, about the gamesmanship. But no biggie, baby. Streets is watchin'. Heh heh!

If Cantor and the rest of these new folk get up to The Hill and start showing signs of amnesia and don't take care of the business we sent them up there for, it's ok, they will be ASS OUT just like these screw-ups we just kicked to the damn curb.

We the people can't afford loyalty to ANY Demo-Rat or Republi-crap hide. EVERYBODY is on notice! It's about adhering to the founding principles and doing what's best for THE NATION and ALL of its citizens. If these new folk won't do it, we'll just keep throwin' 'em out til we get those who will!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Clifton B said...

2nd Anony:

I have not tuned into NPR in years. I stopped listening because their stances were so damn predictable. As you know I do read progressive news sources and since I get the same stuff from them, there is little reason to waste my time listening to NPR.

Also as I pointed out, in this day and age if you cannot get your message out, you simply aren't trying hard enough. No more funding for any of that stuff, it simply isn't necessary.

Clifton B said...

Your Pal:

Thanks for the heads up, I am going to check it out. I have to admit I am not surprised by the nepotism.

Clifton B said...

Solo:

We the people can't afford loyalty to ANY Demo-Rat or Republi-crap hide. EVERYBODY is on notice! It's about adhering to the founding principles and doing what's best for THE NATION and ALL of its citizens. If these new folk won't do it, we'll just keep throwin' 'em out til we get those who will!

AMEN, brother!

Janelle said...

Solo, you are singing to the choir! Move most pols in and out on a regular basis.
Clifton.....I dont know that I would describe you as ordinary - conservative, sane and funny, yes, but not ordinary.

OBIT2010 said...

It's just like you said. If you can start a blog for free and get quoted by national news sources, why can't NPR?! Why do they need are tax dollars to practice thier first amendment rights?!
They also should cut the funding for the National Endowment for the Arts!

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