Figures: PBS, NPR and other state-run media executives make millions on the backs of the taxpayers

When 'the rich' are those bureaucrats employed or subsidized by the government, should they receive the same hatred and vitriol that Democrats direct at the private sector? After all, it's you and I are that are footing the bill.

PBS President Paula Kerger ... recorded a personal television appeal that told viewers exactly how to contact members of Congress in order to "let your representative know how you feel about the elimination of funding for public broadcasting." But if PBS can pay Ms. Kerger $632,233 in annual compensation—as reported on the 990 tax forms all nonprofits are required to file—surely it can operate without tax dollars.

...[Corporation for Public Broadcasting] President and CEO Patricia de Stacy Harrison received $298,884 in reportable compensation and another $70,630[, but that's] practically a pittance compared to Kevin Klose, president emeritus of NPR, who received more than $1.2 million in compensation, according to the tax forms the nonprofit filed in 2009.

Today's media landscape is a thriving one with few barriers to entry and many competitors, unlike when CPB was created in 1967. In 2011, Americans have thousands of news, entertainment and educational programs to choose from that are available on countless television, radio and Web outlets.

Despite how accessible media has become to Americans over the years, funding for CPB has grown considerably. In 2001, the federal government appropriated $340 million for CPB. Last year it got $420 million. As Congress considers ways to close the $14 trillion deficit, cutting funding for the CPB has even been proposed by President Obama's bipartisan deficit reduction commission. Instead, Mr. Obama wants to increase CPB's funding to $451 million in his latest budget.

Meanwhile, highly successful, brand-name public programs like Sesame Street make millions on their own. "Sesame Street," for example, made more than $211 million from toy and consumer product sales from 2003-2006. Sesame Workshop President and CEO Gary Knell received $956,513 in compensation in 2008. With earnings like that, Big Bird doesn't need the taxpayers to help him compete...

Here's a more fundamental question: does the concept of a state-funded media make any sense whatsoever in the United States of America?

I would assert that it does not.

Kill all funding for state-run media. All of it. Now.


Hat tip: @SissyWillis.