Portrait of the Artist as a pissed off Liberal.

In the Denver Post's September 19, 2004 issue, CO State
Senator Andrews (R) was critical of a handful of
political plays that have emerged this year, some of
which were produced by companies funded in part by the
SFCD. He warned that such political theatre could
threaten the SCFD at large. Senator Andrews was
quoted as saying,

"This is a perfect illustration of the problems you
get into when you tax people to subsidize the arts,"
Andrews said. "Everyone is put in a bind when tax
dollars have been collected involuntarily from
millions of people and used to fund the private
political opinions of a handful of people.

Well, funny that, my tax dollars have been collected
involuntarily and used to fund the private political
opinions of a handful of people... it's called the
Iraq War! I'm a pacifist-- can I get a refund from
the Federal government? Of course not. Nor can
Senator Andrews ask for a refund (which was probably a
whopping eighty-eight cents) for taxes spent on the
SCFD. Why? Because my government has the right to
tax both of us.

In turn, I have the right to speak out against my
government, in any way I see fit. So does a Senator.
A Senator is actually employed (quite nicely, I
imagine) by the government to do just that: to get up
on the Senate floor and state his opinions.

In stark contrast, the SCFD gives small grants to
groups of artists who may or may not use Art to do the
same. (Many of them choose to do puppet shows for
children on the perils of dishonesty and greed! Oh,
no! We can't let them do that!) I'll bet, if a troupe
wee performing pro-Republican or Pro-Bush theatre
using SCFD funds, Senator Andrews would be one of the
first to applaud their patriotic efforts.

Our country was founded by men who thought that every
person should have the right to free speech, and to
declare their opinions publicly.

In the United States, and in the state of Colorado, we
have freedom of speech and of expression. People are
allowed to disagree with the government, and express
their grievances in public. Of all the forms of art
that should be held sacred, and protected, art that
joins in the political debate should be at the top of
the list.

In Nazi Germany, or in the former USSR, the only
state-sponsored art was the art that followed the Nazi
or Socialist line. I say, let us not fall into that
trap. Let us ENCOURAGE, in the name of Freedom,
state-sponsored, Artistic, political debate!

In a nation as diverse as ours, we cannot agree on
everything. So, we agree to disagree. And we embrace
this debate- it's what makes us American. Some may
join the Senate to join the debate, others become
writers or lawyers, and still others create theatre,
art and music. That is what makes us great as a
Nation. And if you can't support that-- the right to
argue and disagree, just as Senators do every day on
the taxpayer's dime-- then I'm not sure how you can
call yourself an American.