I have a largely fiscally conservative viewpoint.  I believe our willingness to grow government, cut tax revenues, and ignore the coming tidal wave of Social Security and Medicare costs has been a foolhardy course of action for years.  I am glad we are trying to discuss ways to fix this problem.

However,  I believe a government must make sound decisions and accommodations for the notion of a common good.  This idea of a common good is unpopular amidst the currently superficial but popular rhetoric that (rightly) celebrates the individual opportunity afforded by American liberties.  But this rhetoric also ignores the fact that those opportunities are also afforded by common sense governance that makes sure our individual, tactical actions to acquire wealth and success do not destroy a more strategic way of thinking about ourselves as a country--not just an assortment of individuals.  Government needs to play a role in making sure we do not defraud each other, discriminate against each other, and destroy the environment (natural, economic, or intellectual) where we live and work.

I am sorry, but I believe both the President and the Congress are being disingenuous right now.  Both sides talk a lot about fiscal responsibility, but neither is offering a plan for a workable future for Social Security and Medicare.  Since those two items, along with Defense, make up roughly 65% of the budget, leaving them out of the discussion clearly hurts the credibility of both sides.  So, I am writing because I believe it is wrong to make scapegoats of relatively minor budget items while ignoring the big ones.

Specifically, I am writing because I believe it is wrong to make the Corporation for Public Broadcasting the scapegoat in this debate.  In a world where what goes by the name of news is nothing more than liberal or conservative spin, it is vital for the intellectual environment to maintain a forum where the news can be reported and discussed without corporate interference.

I am an unabashed capitalist, but disinterested discussion of public issues is not something that serves any one business interest, so it is preposterous to rely on our free market to provide it.

Mr. McConnell, I am pleading with you to protect the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  I give you my word that I will actively work to promote those candidates who support it (regardless of party) and work to denounce those who do not.

Thank you for your time and service,
Jason M. Williams
Winchester, KY