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LSUGrrrl 
LSU Fan
Dallas, TX
Member since Jul 2007
1850 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 10:34 am to DCRebel)
quote:
This isn't a business approach; it's a political one.
Actually, it is a commonly used business approach. In the past few years, businesses have been cutting. In the beginning, you saw cuts that started in paper/office supplies, memos stating to turn off computers, lights, etc when not in use, asking for contributions for coffee funds, fewer supplied lunches for worker, decreased daily meal allotments for meals, no reimbursements for alcohol purchases with meals... Then you saw reduction in OT, business travel, employee seminars & education eliminations, college tuition reimbursements, 401k match, moratoriums on hiring - even in much needed positions, salary cuts, etc. Then you got to the more painful things like layoffs.
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Radiojones
LSU Fan
Dutchtown, LA
Member since Feb 2007
4207 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 10:38 am to DCRebel)
As said in the previous post it is cleverly disguised. If you haven't watch an episode of Sesame St. since you were a child I think you would be very surprised at what they have on their now.
It's sad really, I wanted my children to have similar memories as I have from my childhood but the propagandists have taken over the writing of that show.
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JOHNN
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2008
1931 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 10:55 am to LSUGrrrl)
quote:
I think this is a big part of the problem with cutting spending. Many programs like PBS are ingrained in our culture and very loved bc they are remembered fondly. In the days before cable (Dora, Nick Jr, Sprout, etc), PBS offered the only educational children's programs on tv and many Americans grew up watching these programs. They are tied to our childhood and are remembered fondly.
Exactly. My daughter loves the shows on PBS and I enjoy watching them with her because they ate actually educational. Its pretty sad that PBS has better shows for kids than Disney, Nick, and the cartoon network. Disney Jr is ok but that only about 3 hours in the really early morning those shows are on.
If the station was in fact cut from government funding, youd have investors lining up in droves to get the rights for the shows. The money made from side items related to those shows is so big that they would gladly broadcast the station for free to viewers. I guarantee that people started salivating (in a good way) when they heard it would be cut because the saw dollar signs in their head.
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RTR America 
Alabama Fan
Memphis, TN
Member since Aug 2012
3612 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 11:01 am to JOHNN)
quote:
If the station was in fact cut from government funding, youd have investors lining up in droves to get the rights for the shows. The money made from side items related to those shows is so big that they would gladly broadcast the station for free to viewers. I guarantee that people started salivating (in a good way) when they heard it would be cut because the saw dollar signs in their head.
This is exactly what Mark Lavin said last night. These shows are absolute cash cows.
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Homesick Tiger
LSU Fan
Greenbrier, AR
Member since Nov 2006
10190 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 11:05 am to hsfolk)
quote:
Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea?
It's not imo. If the government can run a "business" that is successful, viewership wise, then a private company should be able to do the same thing, only better, without costing taxpayers money for a non-necessity entity.
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Sheep 
USA Fan
Straight Outta Acy
Member since Jun 2007
12984 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 11:34 am to JOHNN)
quote:
If the station was in fact cut from government funding, youd have investors lining up in droves to get the rights for the shows.
quote:
Its pretty sad that PBS has better shows for kids than Disney, Nick, and the cartoon network.
Exactly what do you think would happen to those great PBS shows?
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glaucon
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Aug 2008
4116 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 11:38 am to Robot Santa)
quote:
Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea?
Because that is what polling shows us. People like Big Bird.
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DCRebel
Northwestern Fan
Dan's Cafe
Member since Aug 2009
13250 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 12:25 pm to LSUGrrrl)
quote:
Actually, it is a commonly used business approach. In the past few years, businesses have been cutting.
You missed my point.
I'm not saying that it in itself isn't a business approach. It is. I'm saying that, in this context, it's a political move.
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DCRebel
Northwestern Fan
Dan's Cafe
Member since Aug 2009
13250 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 12:26 pm to Radiojones)
quote:
As said in the previous post it is cleverly disguised. If you haven't watch an episode of Sesame St. since you were a child I think you would be very surprised at what they have on their now.
Okay, so do you have some examples? I'm not denying you, I'm just asking to see what you see.
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LSU80 USF08
LSU Fan
Brandon, FL
Member since Nov 2007
2617 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 2:23 pm to Lsupimp)
quote:
NPR is great.
But it is outside the size and scope of government.
You are completely missing its purpose. The government and donation funding is to keep it independent of commercial interests. It's hard to do an unbiased revealing documentary if you are afraid of pissing off the people that advertise with you.
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RTR America
Alabama Fan
Memphis, TN
Member since Aug 2012
3612 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 2:24 pm to LSU80 USF08)
quote:
You are completely missing its purpose. The government and donation funding is to keep it independent of commercial interests. It's hard to do an unbiased revealing documentary if you are afraid of pissing off the people that advertise with you.
You are also missing the point. We are broke. We don't need it. The free market can handle it just fine.
ETA: And if you saw any of their coverage of the RNC you will see that they a very bias (PBS that is)
This post was edited on 10/5 at 2:26 pm
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SilverSpurs13
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Aug 2011
1013 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 2:27 pm to RTR America)
quote:
You are also missing the point. We are broke.
It is 1/100th of 1% of the budget
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RTR America
Alabama Fan
Memphis, TN
Member since Aug 2012
3612 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 2:36 pm to SilverSpurs13)
quote:
It is 1/100th of 1% of the budget
I know but for reasons of trying to get elected it is one thing he can get away with saying he is going to cut without pissing off a bunch of people. Do you think Americans should 450 million dollars in taxes a year for PBS?
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Taxing Authority
LSU Fan
Houston
Member since Feb 2010
16738 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/5/12 at 2:37 pm to LSU80 USF08)
quote:
You are completely missing its purpose. The government and donation funding is to keep it independent of commercial interests.
You're ignorant. Or lying. I'll not guess.
Both PBS and NPR take HUGE amounts of "donations" from corporations. More than they get from the taxpayers, in fact. What do you think those "This show provided in part by...." messages before and after every program are?
quote:
It's hard to do an unbiased revealing documentary if you are afraid of pissing off the people that advertise with you.
So what's magic about government money? By your logic... wouldn't it be hard to do an unbiased revealing documentary if you're afraid of pissing off the government?
There is NOTHING magic about government money.
This post was edited on 10/5 at 2:39 pm
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LSU80 USF08
LSU Fan
Brandon, FL
Member since Nov 2007
2617 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/7/12 at 6:02 pm to RTR America)
quote:
And if you saw any of their coverage of the RNC you will see that they a very bias (PBS that is)
From your point of view I'm sure most of the rational world appears biased.
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mmcgrath
LSU Fan
New Jersey
Member since Feb 2010
2164 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/7/12 at 6:33 pm to hsfolk)
quote:
Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea?
Because people like the idea of a public station. And they like the programming it offers. It is just that simple.
If you proposed a tax to cover PBS that would be safe from cuts a great majority of people would vote for it.
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JWS3 
Purdue Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2008
2502 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/7/12 at 6:41 pm to mmcgrath)
quote:
Because people like the idea of a public station. And they like the programming it offers. It is just that simple.
Then let them pay for it, and leave the other taxpayers out of it, it is just that simple
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mmcgrath
LSU Fan
New Jersey
Member since Feb 2010
2164 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/7/12 at 6:44 pm to JWS3)
quote:
Then let them pay for it, and leave the other taxpayers out of it, it is just that simple
Sorry, but majority rules. Especially when that majority is above 70% of the voting public.
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JWS3
Purdue Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2008
2502 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/7/12 at 6:45 pm to SilverSpurs13)
quote:
It is 1/100th of 1% of the budget
The are tens of thousands of federal programs that are "only" 1/100th of 1% of the budget, add them all up and you have a real budget issue.
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RogerTheShrubber
LSU Fan
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
72001 posts
| re: Why is defunding PBS an unpopular idea? (Posted on 10/7/12 at 6:46 pm to Robot Santa)
quote:
Cut 100 small, unnecessary things and you have done something significant.
Probably, but increasing military spending seems pretty ridiculous on the surface. I think people have just been programmed into believing more military spending (regardless of where it goes) keeps them more secure and there is no such thing as wasteful military spending.
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