Most of us have had the conversation with our kids that is now being played out from local communities, to the Congress and even on, overseas.
Even in London, the Brits are facing the need to have the old conversation about maturing to the point that we understand the difference of what we believe we deserve, compared to what reality tells us we can afford.
America, Kansas, Barton County, Great Bend — all of us are facing the reality check that the gravy train is derailed.
We can’t just keep writing checks that we can’t cover. Something has to give.
In London, English actors — many we have seen in plenty of American films that presumably they made a decent salary from — are arguing that taxpayers need to keep funding their efforts.
According to the Associated Press: “Some of Britain’s best-known actors and directors say the government’s cuts to arts spending is the biggest threat to country’s arts and culture in decades.
“Actors Jeremy Irons, Kenneth Branagh, Helen Mirren and Julie Walters and writer-director Mike Leigh are among dozens others who signed a protest letter published in The Observer newspaper Sunday.
“Cuts applied to cultural authorities are expected to deal a blow to funding for smaller, subsidized performance venues across the country.”
Who are we, mere mortals, to argue with Kenneth Branagh, let alone Helen Mirren.
And we are, of course, tempted to just be impressed with their celebrity and the urgings of their cause.
We see the same sort of thing in our own nation.
But the fiscal reality is what it is.
There’s only so much tax money to go around and, at least in America, taxpayers are tired of seeing the government that is supposed to serve us, instead over-spending to the extent that the hole just gets deeper and deeper.
We have no problem appreciating what all of these groups suggest they deserve. We have proven that by funding their causes for decades.
It is finally time for all of us, for all levels of government, to consider what we can afford for a change.
Just as our kids had to learn along the way, sometimes you have to make that tough choice, like it or not.
— Chuck Smith