In tackling the federal budget, he faces a debt that has doubled to $20 trillion in the past eight years. Funding for the National Endowment for the Arts might seem expendable — especially given how often celebrity artists insult and even threaten the president. The nonprofit side of the arts alone generates $135 billion in economic activity, supporting 4.1 million jobs. This has empowered localities to offer real participation to those who otherwise would have no avenue to music or the arts. If it seems unusual that a conservative Republican would advocate for music and the arts, don’t be so surprised.

Source: Washington Post March 22, 2017 23:37 UTC