U.S. Senate votes against arts

February 7, 8:44 PMChicago Literary Scene ExaminerRobert Duffer

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Tom Coburn, R-OK

On February 6th, the U.S. Senate approved an amendment to the economic recovery bill by an overwhelming majority of 73-24. Coburn Amendment 309, sponsored by Oklahama Republican Tom Coburn, stated “None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, art center, and highway beautification project.” 

I guess they don't want the unemployed masses lazing around the museums all day. Damn that culture, rots the brain! The listed evils don't generate a product, I suppose. The statement of purpose is "To ensure that taxpayer money is not lost on wasteful and non-stimulative projects." Sounds good, except for what you classify as non-stimulative, Cockburn.

According to Americans for the Arts, a national nonprofit dedicated to arts education and economic viability, if the anti-arts language in the amendment "is included in the final conference version of this legislation, many arts groups will be prevented from receiving economic recovery funds from any portion of this specific stimulus bill. It is clear that there is still much work to be done in the Senate and in the media about the role that nonprofit arts organizations and artists play in the nation’s economy and workforce."  Citibank is rescued from its own greed but museums and other institutions that build civic pride, enrich neighborhoods, and attract tourist dollars, are left in the sinkhole of myopic capitalism.

In Illinois, senior Senator Dick Dubrin and newbie appointee Roland Burris both voted NAY. Thank you, wise gentlemen. To see how your senators voted, click the U.S. Senate roll call vote here.

Americans for the Arts recommends the following "Plan of Action":
Arts advocates need to quickly contact Senators who voted for the Coburn Amendment and express your extreme disappointment with their vote.  We need these Senators to know that their vote would detrimentally impact nonprofit arts organizations and the jobs they support in their state.  We have crafted a customized message for you to send to your Senators based on their vote on the Coburn Amendment.  The correct letter, customized to each of your Senators will appear when you enter your zip code. If your Senator voted for this funding prohibition, you can send them a message expressing your disappointment and ask them to work to delete this language in the final conference bill with the House.  If your Senator voted against the Coburn Amendment, you can thank them for their support of the arts.

Americans for the Arts itself is submitting op-eds to several national newspapers and online blogs. We are enlisting high profile leaders to co-sign these letters as well.

Americans for the Arts is purchasing full-page ads titled “The Arts = Jobs” in Washington’s top political newspapers in Roll Call, Politico and The Hill on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  We encourage you to post the ad on your social network sites.
Please help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund.  Play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today -- it's free and simple."