Artists to blow stimulus $$$ like Rimbaud on a lost weekend
I think a memo went out to Maryland arts organizations soliciting comment on this post: Should O'Malley give taxpayer $$$ to puppet theaters? My favorite comment so far:
I'd say it's actually much more efficient to give bailout money to arty types than respectable business executives. How many artists do you know who are good at hanging on to money? They will happily fling the stuff all over the local economy, boosting small businesses, eateries, taxis, etc. Everybody wins! The artists get to spend a day being rich, and everyone else will be a little better off for much longer.
Comments
Artists flinging money around is much safer than dropping it out of a helicopter and giving someone a concussion.
Posted by: Dan | July 15, 2009 10:31 AM
is this what your blog is about now? Reenforcing stereotypes and fomenting anger without providing any comment? There are plenty of responsible artists who are good with money.
Posted by: Mike Subelsky | July 15, 2009 10:40 AM
Jay, blow? flig? we are not talking about the Federal govt. here and toilette seats.
Artists have no choice but to be thrifty. Most have stopped smoking and use recycled materials for their art.
We forgive you this time, because we know how bad business writers are at telling jokes.
Posted by: @ecogordo | July 15, 2009 11:00 AM
My invitation still holds, should you decide to actually report on our use of federal funds.
Posted by: Michael Lamason | July 15, 2009 11:23 AM
You sir, are an ass.
Posted by: Becky | July 15, 2009 1:06 PM
Jay - you've yet to respond to the basic, fundamental principle encompassed in every one of those comments. Why do you think an artists' job is less valuable than any other helped to be preserved by the FEDERAL stimulus? I look forward to your post responding to this question, which you've yet to respond to.
Posted by: Scott | July 15, 2009 2:44 PM
Scott: Thanks for the question. I understand and support the idea that government subsidies can and should support the arts. But if the point is to stimulate the economy, I prefer capital projects: roads, bridges, electric transmission, generation plants etc -- appropriations that will add to the country's capital stock.
Posted by: Jay | July 16, 2009 9:58 AM
Jay - that was the first money to be spent! The very first projects were capital highway projects. But not everyone digs ditches for a living. Get your head out of the sand.
Posted by: Scott | July 17, 2009 1:41 PM
Gee, Jay, I'm glad to know you personally are the arbitor of what makes for a reasonable use of government stimulus funds. I certainly hope President Obama, Governor O'Malley, and both houses of Congress will consult you before spending federal dollars so foolishly in the future.
In the meantime, my underpaid coworkers and I will be thanking them because--though our pensions were eliminated and out-of-pocket health insurance contributions were raised, and many of us lost weeks of pay due to shorter performing seasons--we didn't lose our jobs (or our institutions), so our rent will be paid for another 8 months.
Asshole.
Posted by: samzmom | July 20, 2009 1:56 PM