Arts Funding Not Government’s Job

* Regarding Jerry Hicks’ July 23 column supporting public funding of the arts, I grow weary of Times [columnists] supporting taxpayer funding of such superfluous endeavors as the arts.

The government should not be in the arts business. There are plenty of people and organizations who would happily donate their time and money to the cause of the arts. History has shown that when the tax burden is lessened, charitable contributions rise.

Let individuals and the private sector handle this cause of their own free will. It is the thinking of the likes of Hicks that causes bloated government budgets and an ever increasing tax burden. Less government is better government.

JEFF PATTERSON

Orange

* Taxpayers should not be coerced into funding offensive art.

Hicks suggests that we should accept the bad art along with the good. Supporting symphonies and theater are good things, but the government should give our money back to us so that we can support art that is not offensive.

STEVE GICK

Lake Forest

* Re Hicks’ July 14 column, “Flag Burning May Be Stupid, but the Constitution Isn’t”:

Hicks’ comment that “Congress will make it illegal to burn or destroy the American flag,” reflects poorly on his knowledge of what this amendment is all about. So does his statement that this amendment is designed “to get around the high court.”

Congress nor the highest court in the land decides what governs this country. Americans do. The great strength of our democratic system is that we have the ability to determine the laws that govern our society.

Our forefathers had the insight to create a document that allowed for “We the people” to determine the future of our country. As George Washington admitted, “The Constitution is an imperfect document made more perfect by the amendment process.”

The American people overwhelmingly support the right to protect the flag. In poll after poll, more than 80% of the American people believe the flag deserves protection.

In addition, 49 state legislatures have petitioned Congress for the amendment and 310 members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of the amendment. Congress, being an elected body designed to represent the population, is just acting on constituents’ wishes.

The Supreme Court has forced the people to accept flag desecration. Those who favor the right of the people to protect their flag are not trying to force the people to accept flag protection or even respect the flag; we are simply trying to force the government to let the people decide.

DANIEL S. WHEELER

President

The Citizens Flag Alliance Inc.

Indianapolis