In less than 48 hours the House of Representatives will vote on the bill H.R. 1076, legislation that would prohibit NPR from receiving any federal funding and prohibit local public radio stations from using federal funding to acquire any radio programming. I strongly oppose this measure. If you do too, contact your Congressman and let him/her know.
I don’t know about you, but few things enrich my life on a daily basis as much as National Public Radio. I rely on NPR for national and local news and weather with programs like “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” and local news programs like “The Walt Bodine Show” and “Up to Date.” Some may differ, but I truly believe NPR is one of the few fair and balanced sources of news left in our culture. NPR is a cherished source of music that I can’t hear anywhere else. Like Celtic music on “The Thistle and Shamrock” or “Music from the Hearts of Space” and locally produced music shows like “Trail Mix” featuring folk and bluegrass music, “A Night on the Town” which features music from movies and Broadway, soothing Sunday nights with “Night Tides”, “The Retro Cocktail Hour” and “The Kansas City Symphony Hour.” This is music you can hear nowhere else on the radio. I look to NPR for quality entertainment programs like “This American Life” (one of my favorite things in the world), “Prairie Home Companion” and “Whad’ya Know with Michael Feldman.” It is a source of quality cultural information with shows like “Fresh Air” and “Studio 360” and locally produced shows like “KC Currents” and “New Letters on the Air.” These are important sources of information, culture and entertainment for myself, our community and our country.
I believe with all my heart that losing NPR would be losing a national treasure. I want my taxes to support NPR. There is so much in our nation that is broken and wasteful and misguided. It is imperative to support the things that are healthy and edifying and profitable for the citizens of our country. In my opinion, you can’t put a price on the value of NPR.
I don’t normally get political on here, but I feel like this is a quality of life issue. If you value NPR like I do, let your voice be heard. Visit 170Americans.net to see how you can help. I’ve contacted my Congressman. Have you? Don’t wait until it is too late!
Posted by greggarmstrong 
