Arts and the GNP

A lot of people (and artists) don't know this: the Arts comprises about 6 percent of the GNP. That's more than construction and less than retail. In short, the fact that it is above construction means that the Arts are significant to the wealth of this country, so I do not want to hear any more barracking from the right, the conservatives, and those opposed to the Arts in our educational system. Anyone who understands money understands the significance of the Arts to the nation's economy. Those who voted against Arts funding and Arts in Education funding: you should be ashamed of yourselves. Which enterprises of yours did we fund? What percentage of the GNP do they comprise? I say, and listen to me closely, the discussion---the debate---about arts in education is now over.