Ordinary Canadians
People are all miffed with Stephen Harper's statement that the arts don't matter to "ordinary Canadians" and that funding cuts are a "niche topic." He got a shuriken to the head today:
Tell you what, though. I might be a bit fazed by this whole "labour" concept, but I sure do know about scrimping! I can make a tube of toothpaste last for six months, a piece of aluminum foil go for a year. It's all part of the artist's training package, you see--it comes free with your M.F.A.
So go ahead and make more cuts. I'll just write in the dirt with a stick.
But, um, I'm pretty sure you still need a planet for dirt and sticks.
What's the strategy in your riding?
What amazes me is that more people aren't incensed that Harper thinks he knows what goes on in their living rooms. Ask the people in your lives (parents, siblings, friends) who might not consider themselves artists or cultural workers: Is this true? Do you not listen to music? Do you not watch movies? TV? What's on your walls? What do you not read? (Did you know non-fiction is part of "the arts"?) Ask them: When was the last time you saw me get dressed up and party at a gala? And then ask them, Do you think I'm not 'ordinary people'?"What the hell is an ordinary Canadian, anyway? I take it SH means respectful, taxpaying folks who bust guts and whatnot for their paycheques. But I'll stop there. Because I'm an artist, right? And what do I know about sweat and tears? I swan about in ball gowns all week while everybody else is grunting it out on the job.
Tell you what, though. I might be a bit fazed by this whole "labour" concept, but I sure do know about scrimping! I can make a tube of toothpaste last for six months, a piece of aluminum foil go for a year. It's all part of the artist's training package, you see--it comes free with your M.F.A.
So go ahead and make more cuts. I'll just write in the dirt with a stick.
But, um, I'm pretty sure you still need a planet for dirt and sticks.
What's the strategy in your riding?
Comments-
m said:
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- September 25, 2008
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Charlotte said:
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- September 26, 2008
I live in the only riding in Alberta to have ever voted an NDP candidate into office federally and the only signs I've been seeing in my 'hood are orange. NDP is getting my vote, but I'm not holding my breath. Our Conservative MP has been voted in since '97 and last election won more than 50% of the votes. Every day I'm reminded I'm not in East Van anymore.
It's 56% Conservative in my riding, too. Remember the Libby Davies days? Sniff.
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