Wednesday, April 03, 2013

What Are Foundations For?

Rob Reich attempts an answer in the Boston Review.  Tyler Cowen has a response here, including the following observation, which struck me as relevant to the deaccessioning debate (regarding the argument that the tax-exempt status of museums means "we" own the works they hold):

"In many localities some items are subject to sales tax and others exempt, or perhaps subject to different rates. Let’s say that I spend my money on untaxed items or lower-taxed items. Does this untaxed expenditure—an indirect subsidy of sorts—imply that 'the public' should have a greater say in how I spend my money?"