Controversy Over Federal Funds for Artists

Magda Bogin’s column (“Some Ideas We Can’t Wish Away,” Commentary, Aug. 14) makes the point that the National Endowment for the Arts should be free of any restraints or standards in order to allow the artists room or opportunity to express to us what is wrong with us. Artists have that freedom under the First Amendment, but they ought not be supported by our taxes through the NEA in order to do so.

The test of a product’s worth in a free society, with a free economy, should always rest with the purchaser. It should never be forced on the public by government intervention or subsidy.

If artists choose to be the critics of society let them find financial support away from the publicly supported NEA. Let’s keep the NEA as the agency that upholds the values which enhance the good image we have of ourselves, and leave the judgmental aspect to the perspicacious cartoonists of our times. If artists have a burning message to tell the public they will find a way to tell it without tax money paving the way for them!

MAGNUS EGGE

San Clemente