It's Time to Defund NPR

1. 68

   Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

   Our economy is in the tank and we are spending money on stupid things like NPR (National Public Radio), PBS (Public Broadcasting Sysstem), CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting)and other dubious projects.  Why are our tax dollars funding these agencies that do not serve the diverse interests of the nation.  For example, NPR is clearly a liberal media, why do they not include conservative voices when both money is collected from both liberal and conservative taxpayers.

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      paradigmsearchposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Current media events aside, I agree with you. The fed funding of them is only 2% of their "take"; so they'll do just fine without it. I'd do the same for the rest of PBS as well. I happen to like PBS, but the missing fed funding won't hurt them and you are right about cutting back on fed spending.

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      1. 68

         Flightkeeperposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I think NPR can stand on its own feet as well.  It really irks me that the rest of radio have to go through the capitalist route and find sponsors to advertise but NPR gets a boost from the government no matter how minimal.  Highly unfair.  Also don't forget that NPR also gets money from local public stations tha are funded by the government.

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      Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Good point.

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2. 60

   couturepopcafeposted 14 years ago

   All things considered (no pun intended), public broadcasting talks about a lot more than news and politics, topics which are not related to any political leaning.

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      Flightkeeperposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That may be but why should public broadcasting have government funding?

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      1. 59

         Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It should not.  Government subsidy of CPB is as outdated and counter-productive as farm subsidies.

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      Jim Hunterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      "All things considered (no pun intended), public broadcasting talks about a lot more than news and politics, topics which are not related to any political leaning"
      
      I sure get a lot of viewing enjoyment out of the mating habits of the scorpion.

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      1. 59

         Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Brace yourself Jim, but we are once again in agreement. (sort of).  NPR listeners are higher than average earners - reflecting their higher than average educational achievements.  They are perfectly capable of funding the organization without tax dollars.
         
         People who think Fox is a legitimate, unbiased news organization, but NPR (the one of the two without politicians on the payroll) is somehow slanted to a particular viewpoint lower the national IQ significantly.

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            Pcunixposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I think it is hilarious that some conservatives think NPR has liberal bias. They have TRUTH bias, and plenty of conservative listeners.  They tick me off royally at least twice a year  - that's when I send them money: I figure if the reporting is making me angry they must still be doing a good job.
            
            Some of the shows lean left, but that's just the way it is : smart people often  lean left and the ones who don't sure as heck wouldn't work at NPR, would they?

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               Jim Hunterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               "I think it is hilarious that some conservatives think NPR has liberal bias. They have TRUTH bias"
               
               What do they have against the truth?

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            Jim Hunterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            "People who think Fox is a legitimate, unbiased news organization, but NPR (the one of the two without politicians on the payroll) is somehow slanted to a particular viewpoint lower the national IQ significantly."
            
            Brace yourself Ron, I agree that FOX is slanted also, the difference is they do not get federal funding.
            
            A privately owned company can do whatever they want.
            
            I don't rag on MSNBC,CNN,CBS,ABC, or NBC for being liberal, I just think its hilarious that they can't compete with FOX so they send out troops to try and discredit FOX.
            
            By the way, it isn't working.

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         3. 61

            Evan G Rogersposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I hate this sort of "I have a degree, thus i'm smarter than others" belief
            
            Listen - I went through college, it was mostly a joke of jumping through hoops and regurgitating what the professors wanted to hear. Grad school is very similar.
            
            I mean, yes, it takes a lot of effort to get a doctorate, but let's cut this "smart people know better than dumb people" crud, it just isn't true. I have plenty of friends who don't have college degrees who regularly show me the follies of my ways.

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            1. 84

               Pcunixposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Being smart is like being strong.  A little bit is useful but a lot is not.
               
               Beyond that, being one of the worlds strongest people doesn't give you the power to stop a speeding locomotive and being among the worlds smartest doesn't help when faced with the more complex problems of the world. That is especially true when the matter at hand involves social issues - many of those who are considered "brilliant" are socially awkward at best.  Political issues often have a strong social component that the super bright may miss entirely.
               
               I supposedly have a very high IQ.  I can't say it has ever helped me in real life except perhaps to give me the understanding that some of my peers don't appreciate how useless their mental abilities really are.

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   Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

   Maybe because they are the "PUBLIC" broadcasting system (?)
   
   But I agree. Given that government funding IS only 2% maybe the time has come to make the break and put that govt money toward something less - airy (ha ha).
   PBS, NPR and the local entities will still exist.
   We might have to endure (gag) another week of pledge drives each quarter, but they'll still go on.

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4. 61

   Evan G Rogersposted 14 years ago

   I think that the OP has the right spirit, but needs to think bigger.
   
   Why are we funding public education? why are we funding a war in Afghanistan? Iraq? bombing pakistan? torturing guantanamo prisoners? porno-cancer-scanners at air ports? the war crimes in iraq? the countless military bases we have all over the world? bail-outs of failure companies who then "pay back" taxpayers with taxpayer money...
   
   Anyway, think bigger.

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      Sab Ohposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      " why are we funding a war in Afghanistan?"
      
      Because that is where the terrorists who attacked us trained and found safe haven and where the next ones will if we allow it.
      
      "  Iraq?"
      
      Because saddam was one of the leading instigators/supporters of unrest in a region where we learned the hard way that trouble can find its way to our shores.
      
      " bombing pakistan?"
      
      Because terrorists and insurgents from Afghanistan are taking refuge there.
      
      " torturing guantanamo prisoners?"
      
      We aren't.
      
      "porno-cancer-scanners at air ports?"
      
      You really don't know why we need security at airports? Really?
      
      "the war crimes in iraq?"
      
      Crimes are crimes and are prosecuted as such.
      
      " the countless military bases we have all over the world?"
      
      To secure American interests and maintain stability in key areas of the world.

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5. 69

   Brupieposted 14 years ago

   NPR is considered the most trusted news source in the country (Harris poll), and Morning Edition and All Things Considered are two of the most popular radio programs on the air - NPR is clearly serving a large audience.  The information and entertainment it provides is valuable to a diverse audience, hardly a waste.
   
   Dozens of countries have come to similar conclusions about the value of a state-funded radio (BBC, Deutsche Welle, Canadian Broadcasting Centre), but NPR's operating budget is less than 2% federally-funded.  A real bargain. 
   
   Individuals can't cherry-pick which government services to fund, I would be happy to see a reduction in numerous military programs, but that's not the way government works.

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   Sab Ohposted 14 years ago

   npr is unnecessary and a misuse of taxpayer money no matter how much it comes to. Let them sell ads and stay on the air if they can. Air America anyone?

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