An Over-Abundance of Free Money?

Some people across the pond, they aren't too happy.

... A report disclosed that more than 50 European Union grants were handed out to media production companies making documentaries, films and even cartoons – including some with a slant that promoted the work of the EU.

Projects funded by the Creative Europe initiative, backed by the European Commission, included a film about a climate change activist and an animated series about alien squirrels. ....

Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers Alliance, said: “Another day, another prime piece of evidence that Brussels bureaucrats simply do not understand the value of taxpayers’ money.

"Considering the myriad problems facing the European Union, you would think they'd have something better to do than subsidize cartoons about extra-terrestrial squirrels," Isaby said. “Blowing more than a million pounds on grants to fanciful animated adventures, pro-European mockumentaries with B-list celebrities, is totally inappropriate and, frankly, contemptible." ...

Contemptible, you say? So, like, what's wrong with alien squirrels? ...

But actually, my blood is boiling. When the government gets into the habit of showering free money on private companies, it's usually the taxpayer that gets hosed.

I mean, it's one thing to spend billions on behalf of the wealthy owners of professional sports teams, building fancy new stadiums so that the Haves can have more, but come on already. That's big league sports for Gawd sakes! And totally deserving of our tax dollars.

But why are a bunch of garlic eaters subsidizing cartoons? Isn't that communistic?