Should Government Funding of the Arts be Restricted?

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The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an established religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof'; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This amendment, founded on the strong and open minds of the Founding Fathers, made certain that free speech be incorporated into America's free and democratic society.

Of course, the question eventually arose, "What qualifies as free speech?" and the literal interpretation taken by the majority was questioned. Like many who adhere to the notion of free speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, Supreme Court Justice William 0. Douglas best expressed this collective opinion when he stated the following:

It is our attitude toward free thought and free expression that will determine our fate. There must be no limit on the range of temperate discussion, no limits on thought. No subject must be taboo. No censor must preside at our assemblies... Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions." (Leone 14)

The practice of the above-mentioned "censorship" is a growing controversy of the past decade that will undoubtedly continue into the next.

As America crosses into the next millenium, the fine line between freedom of expression and the freedom of those to crusade against it will grow very thin. One of the biggest controversies that hovers around freedom of expression is the debate about whether or not the government has any business funding the Arts and should they have restrictions. Performance and visual arts are often funded by ...

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...cessary that as a country we do not adopt restrictions against any form or expression or its funding.

Works Cited and Consulted

Frohnmayer, John E. " The Content of Art Should Not Influence Government Funding." The Christian Century. 1992 Rpt. in Free Speech. Bruno Leone. San Diego: Geenhaven Press, 1994.

Knight, Robert H. "The National Endowment of the Arts: Misusing Taxpayers' Money". The Heritage Foundation Back Grounder. Jan. 18, 1991 Rpt. Free Speech Bruno Leone. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1994.

Leone, Bruno. Free Speech. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1994.

Owen, Major R. "Congress Should Fund the NEA Without Restrictions." Major Owens' remarks during the floor debate on H.R. 4825, the Arts, Humanities, and Museums, Amendments of 1990, 101st . Cong., 2d sess. Oct. I 1, 1990 Rpt. Free Speech. Bruno Leone. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1994.

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