Public Intellectual Moyers continuation

Reading and giving further thought to Bill Moyers  Discovering What Democracy Means, it gave me pause. Being an artist and always in favor and support of the arts, knowing what they do for our society and for the spirit of mankind, it has always surprised and concerned me that conservatives have wanted to cut funding for the arts.

I would like to think they were open minded enough to understand that what we leave behind is a reflection of who we are. How we relate to our past is a reflection of who we are. How we stand on our ancestors shoulders is a gift to our progeny. To be able to see works in a library, on public TV, or in a museum is a wonderful experience. A gift that few enough take hold of and utilize. 

Instead of finding ways to bring people into these projects and even help foster community care and involvement, our government has done its best to kill them by under funding or not funding the very programs that are the bedrock of our civilization.  I do not believe we can expect great thinkers to rise to the challenge without support. I do not believe great leaders will appear in a vacuum. I do not believe that our nation will prosper without fostering appreciation for the arts in all forms. 

Perhaps a fitting title for our Liberal Studies Capstone would be Public Discourse and Civic Engagement Practice.