Why we should cut the arts, and a bunch of government spending too

The controversy over the Mayor's decision to cut money for the arts is a good illustration of why government doesn't work.

Everybody wants money for their pet project and every pet project is vital to the future of our city, state and country.

Now, not all of this can be true simultaneously.  In fact, I would hold, that all of these projects- from the arts to the endless list of federal departments and programs simply distract us from the primary aims of government.

Is it any wonder that our government struggles to handle the fundamental issues of crime, banking, and transportation when we instead focus too much time and energy on arts and the like?  One thing that always impresses me when I go to downtown Indianapolis or to Washington, DC- the sheer amount of real estate required to house the personnel that operate the government.  Keep in mind, the federal government is the #1 employer in Indiana (not counting the military) and the state is #2.

It seems to me that we would be better off if we held government to these simple areas:

1. Military and National Defense (Emphasis on Defense)
2. Enforcing Criminal and Contract Law (Putting bad people in jail and making sure legal contracts are enforced)
3. Providing and protecting our monetary system (Making sure we are following sound monetary policy in order to keep our international standing strong)
4. Handling any major projects necessary to our economy that are above the means of private industry:  i.e. road projects and transportation (although users could help pay for these works)

We are so distracted by other important issues (but less important that the above) that we are currently unable to handle the above- case in point:  bridges collapsing, a defense department that is over-spending (and has been unable to close major US openings to terrorist attack), crime rampant in major cities, and a dollar that is slipping against other currencies. 

When we can't get the basics done it may be necessary to eliminate the distractions.  The arts are great, but are they more important than public safety?  It seems to me that it's time we understand we can't do everything and be everything for everybody.