The Republicans in the House of Representatives have an online program called YouCut, where citizens can vote on items they would like to see cut from the National Budget (http://www.republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut/). In a recent YouCut poll, 63% voted to defund NPR (National Public Radio). This was obviously in response to NPR’s firing of Juan Williams for his comments about Muslims.

In line with the YouCut program, the House Republicans crafted H.R.6417 defunding NPR and put it on the floor for a vote. It was defeated 239-171 (three Democrats voted for it). This is certainly no surprise as the Democrats are still in control of the House and NPR has always been a staunchly liberal support medium of the Democratic Party. This issue will certainly be addressed again by the incoming Republican-controlled Congress when they arrive in Washington January 5th.

Whether or not the government should be in the broadcasting business is an argument for a different day. What is germane is the inability of anyone to determine exactly how much funding NPR receives from the taxpayers. As much of NPR’s funding is tied to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), it makes it even more difficult. Most of the stories out there are vague on the issue, quoting percentages of 2-25% of NPR’s operating budget. House Minority Whip Eric Cantor can’t even get the numbers and is organizing an audit to determine the exact amount. Most estimates seem to be in the $430 million to $460 million range, or roughly .035% of our $13 trillion deficit. That equates to $2.90 per taxpayer for something most taxpayers do not use.  

If you were to walk into any business in America and ask them how much they paid a particular entity, with a few clicks on the computer, you should have your answer. Why is this not so in our government? Why does there need to be a Congressional audit, which we taxpayers will have to foot the bill for, in order to find out how much taxpayer money is going to NPR and CPB?

One can only assume that other government expenditures are in a similar fog. No wonder we have skyrocketing spending deficits! Is it wrong for We the taxpayers to want an accurate accounting of what our money is being used for? How can there be fiscal discipline when a high ranking House member can’t even get the expenditures? If this country is to stop its slide toward bankruptcy, it is imperative that the government make major improvements in their accounting of OUR money!

Back                  Home                  Next