"The problem is the whole concept of the pie."

(3-31-2011) In his latest Talk Back blog post, Isaac Butler considers the finances and ethics of big box museums and the visual arts, calling into question board strategies and composition. He leads with a provocative Eleanor Heartney quote that includes the following:

Isn’t there something basically unhealthy about a society where social programs that serve the poor and middle class are cut to the bone while a Picasso can go for over $100 million? Oh yes, I know, this is "private money," but how did these art collectors manage to amass such huge fortunes in the first place? Is a CEO, especially one who runs the company into the ground and then floats off with a golden parachute, really worth more than 300 times his lowest paid employee? Why are the bankers who nearly toppled our financial system free to retire to their mansions while we demonize teachers who want to have a tiny bit of retirement security? Why have virtually none of the productivity gains of the last 30 years gone to workers? Whose money is it, really?

Read Isaac's post here.