The Crux of the CPB Debate |
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| Media Link - Washington Times | ||||
| Sunday, 29 January 1995 00:00 | ||||
I agree with Stephen Chapman's Jan. 19 article, "Subsidizing Culture Claque," that public broadcasting is not a proper function of government. If Republicans are serious about eliminating federal funds for public broadcasting, they must argue their case on principle. The principle at stake is the right of the individual. If the individual has no right to use his own mind and judgment about how to spend the products of his effort, then he has no rights at all. A moral government protects its citizens from the threat of physical force. Public broadcasting is immoral because it forces individuals to pay for the promotion of ideas and programs whether they agree with them or not. My advice to Republicans is to put advocates of public broadcasting on the defensive. "Sesame Street" is supposed to be good for children? Interesting -- but not the point. Make them defend the idea that the producers of "Sesame Street" have a right to force others to pay for it. Barney [the dinosaur] makes a profit and is a delight to many kids? Interesting -- but not the point. Make them explain what constitutional right allows Barney's fans to force others to subsidize him. Republicans should not be sidetracked by irrelevant disputes over how popular or valuable these shows are. Principles are more powerful than polls. If the shows are "elitist," then let the elite pay for them. If the shows are popular, then let the masses pay for them in the free marketplace. Do not force anyone to pay for them with tax dollars. More importantly, expose the root premise upon which all public broadcasting subsidies depend. The root premise is the idea that individuals have no rights, and that American citizens must work a portion of their day to finance the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If Republicans argue consistently and passionately on moral principle, they will successfully privatize public broadcasting. If not, they don't stand a chance.
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