This letter is in response to the recent editorial in The Northern Star “Art deemed unacceptable” (Aug. 29) in which the recent refusal of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding to four controversial artists was heralded as “one huge setback for freedom of expression.”

The author seems to have forgotten that the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression, not the means by which to do so.

The NEA is largely funded by the federal government; as such it is and should be subject to the control of the “men and women in four-piece suits” which you helped elect (either directly by voting for them, or inderectly by not voting against them).

The government is not denying anyone their constitutional right to expression by refusing to force the American public to shoulder the financial burden of their work.

If the work of these artists is as meaningful and popular as we would be led to believe, let it support itself through private funds.

Instead of raising an inappropriate cry of “Censorship,” register to vote and make your objections known on Nov. 6.

Jim Huguelet

Computer Science

Sophomore