Pace on Earth

After the Goldrush

I read an interesting editorial penned by Margaret Atwood today. It was arguing against the cuts the Harper Government has made to Arts and Culture funding.

Last week, Harper was quoted as saying that 'ordinary Canadians' can't relate to artists gathering at rich galas to complain their subsidies aren't high enough. Atwood's spot on retort was to point out that the vast majority of Canada's artists are of the struggling variety. They may be able to dress up nice for an awards gala but don't let that black tie fool you into believing they are sleeping in piles of cash. In Harper's Canada that luxury is reserved for CEO's of companies that ship our natural resources and their value out of the country. All of the artists I know work hard for very little financial gain.

I would guess that I would be what Stephen Harper would consider an ordinary Canadian. I work 9-5, pay my taxes and drink too much beer. I also have a dream of being extraordinary and writing the great Canadain novel that may never come true becaause I own a house and an artists 'ordinary' income won't cover the mortgage. I can still dream though, and I would like a portion of those taxes I pay to afford the extraordinary artists out there to have a chance to put their works where I can see them. But that's just me...

Pace out.

posted by Vitamin S @ 5:08 p.m.