Where is Mr. Rogers?

Right now the biggest question in American politics is how to balance our budget. The most severe economic climate this side of Pearl Harbor, not to mention two extended conflicts overseas have seriously effected the fiscal standing of the United States. It seems universally accepted that spending must be brought in check before we find ourselves in financial ruin. Politicians from every conceivable persuasion have forwarded their ideas, but comprehensive solutions are evasive. One program that has attracted a lot of attention is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the funding that runs PBS and NPR. Seen by some as outdated and unnecessary, the future of publicly funded television and radio programs seems uncertain.
Interestingly enough, this is not the first time that these programs have been in jeopardy. In 1969 budget hawks had their eyes on Public Television, and it seemed like the program was doomed to be cut. What they didn't plan on was one seriously sincere man, Fred Rogers. In six minutes of unpretentious, heartfelt testimony, Mr. Rogers taught a jaded senate that "Its great to be able to to stop, when you have planned a thing that's wrong, and so something else instead." For anyone who hasn't seen his testimony before, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXEuEUQIP3Q
Now I want to be clear here, a lot has changed since 1969. I am not so sure that things should be done the same way. In fact I think that it would be best for CBP to fund programs that are then sold to major networks that have better distribution and larger audiences to increase the number of people who are helped by these programs. (Think Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Discovery, TLC, and so forth.) While maintaining a presence on public broadcasts by NBC CBS and so forth so as to still reach low income families who might not get cable. I think CBP could be leaner, meaner, and more effective. HOWEVER, I have to wonder, where is Mr. Rogers? He didn't have to yell, he didn't have to use big words. He was just right, and he cared about all of those kids, and he wanted to help them. He spent time with them, he knew what they where having to deal with, he knew that they faced a world filled with conflict, and he was going to do whatever he could to give them a neighborhood where they where special.
I study communities, I look at how everything in a persons life influences their health. I am a strong believer in good public programs, and I think that Public Broadcasting seems willing to go out without standing up for the children that they serve a damnable indication of the state of those programs. Where is Mr. Rogers? Is corporate America now to be entrusted with the shepherding tender minds? Do we want our children to remember shallow, mind numbing programs that are better at producing action figures than helping human beings develop? Where is Mr. Rogers? Have we closed the door on forward thinking, genuine programs? Are there no longer markets that programs that operate under similar principles can appeal to? Anyone who says so is a lying fool, and I am willing to take him to neighborhoods and into homes where children desperately need whatever we can give them. I am willing to show you parents who are working as long and hard as they know how, but have trouble finding good influences for their children. I think that there are a lot of people that saw something in Mr. Rogers that they don't see too often in public media: Faith. Faith in the future, in the goodness that lies in every human heart. Faith in the next generation, and above all else faith in a loving Father in Heaven who wants for us all to be neighbors.

Spring

In the silence of the morning
When with rose and amber ray
The dawn breaks upon the mountains
The golden herald of the day

It seems for a moment
That the ancient hills sing
Though the snow lies thick upon them
In our souls there is spring