Comments on: mnartists.org is voting YES http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2008/10/28/mnartistsorg-is-voting-yes/ Just another Walker Blogs weblog Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:36:23 -0600 walker_blogs hourly 1 By: Bain Lothian http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2008/10/28/mnartistsorg-is-voting-yes/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Bain Lothian Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:04:30 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=5#comment-8 I feel that the aim of this amendment is laudable, that is to provide, among other things, funding for the arts. I am, however, of the opinion that a constitutionally mandated tax sets a bad precedence for the future. Have we a better grasp of the fiscal necessities of the state than our legislators? Frankly, I consider this an ill conceived end run around the legislative process. There is a lot of imagination in the group that this message is directed to, so I leave it to your collective minds, what could be presented next for our consideration as the mandated tax? Better to lobby, and lobby hard, for these earmarks to be included in a bill to be passed through the Minnesota legislature, which is the proper venue for funding requests. I feel that the aim of this amendment is laudable, that is to provide, among other things, funding for the arts.
I am, however, of the opinion that a constitutionally mandated tax sets a bad precedence for the future. Have we a better grasp of the fiscal necessities of the state than our legislators? Frankly, I consider this an ill conceived end run around the legislative process.
There is a lot of imagination in the group that this message is directed to, so I leave it to your collective minds, what could be presented next for our consideration as the mandated tax?
Better to lobby, and lobby hard, for these earmarks to be included in a bill to be passed through the Minnesota legislature, which is the proper venue for funding requests.

]]> By: Voting No http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2008/10/28/mnartistsorg-is-voting-yes/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Voting No Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:32:09 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=5#comment-7 We all want better funding for arts, environment and education. No one with a heart could say No to these things. However, that isn't what we're voting on. What we are voting on is a tax increase. Why? Because these areas are underfunded. Why? Because the existing tax revenues are not divided properly. Haven't you wondered why we never get asked if we want to help support an underfunded military, space exploration or "general" fund? That's because money is pulled from arts and environment and education to fuel these things, and the problem pushed back on the people disguised as an "obvious" ethical decision. If you vote Yes, what you are doing is allowing the Government to cut funding to Arts, Education, and Environment and move it into other areas. Heres a clearer example: You pay the government to feed ten children. They use that money to feed three, and ask you if you would like to contribute to feed the seven starving ones. Ask yourself where a system like this goes if you endorse it. Voting Yes will not solve the problem it will make it worse. Vote No. Don't endorse a system that hides tax increases behind the arts, the environment, and eduction. Remember who isn't feeding those seven children. It isn't you and me who need to give more, its the government who needs to spend less and manage its income correctly. Hold them accountable to fix the problem and not push it back on the people. - We all want better funding for arts, environment and education. No one with a heart could say No to these things. However, that isn’t what we’re voting on.

What we are voting on is a tax increase. Why? Because these areas are underfunded. Why? Because the existing tax revenues are not divided properly. Haven’t you wondered why we never get asked if we want to help support an underfunded military, space exploration or “general” fund? That’s because money is pulled from arts and environment and education to fuel these things, and the problem pushed back on the people disguised as an “obvious” ethical decision.

If you vote Yes, what you are doing is allowing the Government to cut funding to Arts, Education, and Environment and move it into other areas.

Heres a clearer example: You pay the government to feed ten children. They use that money to feed three, and ask you if you would like to contribute to feed the seven starving ones. Ask yourself where a system like this goes if you endorse it. Voting Yes will not solve the problem it will make it worse.

Vote No. Don’t endorse a system that hides tax increases behind the arts, the environment, and eduction. Remember who isn’t feeding those seven children. It isn’t you and me who need to give more, its the government who needs to spend less and manage its income correctly. Hold them accountable to fix the problem and not push it back on the people.

-

]]> By: L.A. Reed http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2008/10/28/mnartistsorg-is-voting-yes/comment-page-1/#comment-6 L.A. Reed Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:35:14 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=5#comment-6 i believe that we need to matter (be significant) and so does nature. As a disabled person, and artist, I believe that we often “throw away” the environment, discard things as unnecessary and unfortunately treat people that way too : ) history has shown that when societies become more repressive, art and nature go down the tubes. We as artists need to be determined to support creativity and creative thinking in our society, and our relationship with all things that live, and exist, as part of our wonderful earth. i believe that we need to matter (be significant) and so does nature. As a disabled person, and artist, I believe that we often “throw away” the environment, discard things as unnecessary and unfortunately treat people that way too : )

history has shown that when societies become more repressive, art and nature go down the tubes. We as artists need to be determined to support creativity and creative thinking in our society, and our relationship with all things that live, and exist, as part of our wonderful earth.

]]> By: Jay Smiley http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2008/10/28/mnartistsorg-is-voting-yes/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Jay Smiley Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:06:27 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=5#comment-4 Self serving? For artists the potential benefits are obviously there, but the real point here is the benefit to all residents of MN. As an artist and supporter of the arts, I can only see this as one of those "win-win" situations. Self serving? For artists the potential benefits are obviously there, but the real point here is the benefit to all residents of MN. As an artist and supporter of the arts, I can only see this as one of those “win-win” situations.

]]> By: Fred Bailey http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2008/10/28/mnartistsorg-is-voting-yes/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Fred Bailey Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:24:34 +0000 http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/?p=5#comment-3 It is hard for a person who believes that good government is of critical importance to not feel that these arguements are mostly self serving. It is hard for a person who believes that good government is of critical importance to not feel that these arguements are mostly self serving.

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