Mr. Rogers would not be a fan of Mitt Romney’s plan to cut Big Bird’s funding.
Politicians have been debating whether or not to fund PBS since 1960s. The conversation made national headlines once again this week when Mitt Romney said during the first presidential debate of 2012 that he would fire Big Bird and cut funding to Sesame Street.
Several people have come out to defend PBS, saying that the shows like Sesame Street are invaluable to American children. The president of PBS, as well as many former stars like LeVar Burton, have criticized Romney for his comments.
Mr. Rogers even chimed in on the debate. Rogers, who passed away in 2003, gave a speech in 1969 when President Nixon announced that he was going to cut funding to the station.
Rogers, in his speech to the United States Senate Subcommittee on Communications, says that his program on PBS teaches children who to deal with their emotions and helps to create well-rounded adults. The legendary child entertainer makes the case that it is better for the United States to have programs that teach children how to manage their emotions instead of filling television with cartoons that are cheaper to produce.
Here’s Mr. Rogers speech:
What do you think about the drama on Sesame Street? Should the government cut funding to PBS?
No. PBS is one of the few channels that kids can watch and learn things which can be applied to their lives in a positive way. If not for Sesame Street, a lot of caucasian children would grow up having never seen an asian or hispanic. Mr. Rogers taught kids that "every body is fancy. Every body's fine. Your body's fancy and so is mine." Invaluable!
No, PBS is a wonderful place for children to learn. I love the concerts and shows they have. So much better than some of the horrible things on a regular channel or cable. This would be a huge mistake.
I didn't even know PBS still existed but I would say yes. PBS has been the babysitter for years and I watched it when I was a child. Maybe parents should raise their kids instead of the television. PBS makes enough money that it doesn't matter where their funding comes from but they should have private funding. I love Big Bird but even if Sesame Street was taken off of the air, they would still make a fortune from their toys, books, etc. I personally would rather raise my kids than plopping them down in front of a screen and having that screen do it for me.
love pbs, and quite frankly i use to love mr. rodgers, seriously i am embarrassed but he was my favorite, and i am soooooo not kidding, even my grandfather would make fun of me for watching him…lol
My kids always watched him:)
This isn't about whether or not PBS is a good thing or a bad thing, it's about whether or not they need govenment funding? PBS has a fund raising telethon every year, and they accept donations all year round. If you think so much of PBS and think they are deserving, send them some money! I did. Govt. funding is a very small portion of the PBS budget, they won't go under. They can do more advertising, they already do some. Mr. Romney said he didn't think supporting PBS was worth borrowing from China. Is it worth $20 of your money?
no… sesame street teaches children such wonderful things… as kid… I would watch sesame street and mr rodgers… but now I have a niece and nephew that both love cookie monster,, so I think it would be a huge mistake to get rid of sesame street,,, because not only is it helping our children learn,, but is also helping the kids around the world too..
SESAME STREET is priceless! Should be compulsory viewing for Mums, Dads, and Children of all ages.Love it! Bring it on!
O.k. Am I craaazy? and speaking about pbs funding-Is senator pastori "the Count" or what?
Who's wanting to get rid of Sesame Street?
Yes. The government doesn't need to be in the television business! Our tax dollars need to be used much more wisely than they have been. If we keep borrowing from China they are going to own us. And I don't think they will care if Big Bird has a job either.
Way to say it Paula! YEAH
yep…ALL the money that PBS gets is from China. So, would that be true about our Military also? Let's have our Military funded by those who agree with bombing innocent men, women, and children…just as long as we might kill one terrorist. Priorities seem to be a bit…skewed.