Find out why public broadcasting matters to:
Tell us why public broadcasting matters to YOU
 Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers
Car Talk hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi
Public radio is important to us because if not for NPR, we'd be completely unemployable. Not only that, but think about the staff of hundreds we employ here at Car Talk Plaza, including our On Air Donation Solicitor, O. Noah Funddrive, our Manager of Government Relations, Heywood Jabuzoff, and our Director of Operations, Eton Doolittle.
So if public radio were to disappear, not only would you find us sharing a squeegee in Harvard Square again, but our entire staff would be out of work. This would cause a chain reaction in unemployment that would lead to a recession in Massachusetts, then the Northeast region, eventually spreading as far south as Perth Amboy, NJ. And who wants that?
Plus, if NPR didn't exist, we'd lose our key source of real information about the rest of the world. Not the bogus information we give out every week on Car Talk , but real news and analysis about the truly important events of the day. That would make us not only knuckleheads, but extremely boring at dinner parties, too. Don't let it happen!
 Baxter Black
Morning Edition Commentator,
Cowboy Poet and former Large-Animal Veterinarian
Friends and fellow NPR listeners (and you PBS viewers, too),
Several of us have been asked to encourage you to "let Congress know" that great public broadcasting deserves great public support. That means continued public funding, which Congress is about to address.
To me, it seems public radio presents a greater percentage of news (what really happened) versus news analysis (the commentator's opinion of the political ramifications of what happened) than any other electronic media. Biased commentary still exists - in fact, it stimulates the listener - but on NPR it seems balanced enough to make true believers on both sides of the aisle mad on a regular basis. That's goes for PBS, too. Just ask them.
So in this season of Congressional funding debates, Congress needs to hear from you, you people who really value what you hear and see on public radio and TV.
That means all of you need to get in touch: Red-State rednecks, Blue-State blue collar workers, conservative closet listeners, flag-waving, rodeo, NASCAR, Economist -reading CEOs who tune in to the best straight news in America, even if you don't send in your pledge.
And you dyed-in-the-wool labor union, big city, political science, pro-choice, Hollywood admirers, you too. Just remember, when contact your legislator - you'll convince more politicians with sugar than with Brussels sprouts.
So, that's my two cents worth. Oh, and call collect. Just kidding.
Why Public Broadcasting Matters to Viewers and Listeners Like You
“To lose Public Television and Public Radio would leave a huge, and I mean HUGE, hole in my life. Not only do I feel I am better educated about events in the United States, but also in the world.”
-- Laura, New York, New York
“America needs to help keep the one place in our life which raises our consciousness and elevates our thinking: PBS and NPR…Thank you for your excellent shows and for the respect you show your viewers, National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting System!”
--Jean, via e-mail
“Because of public broadcasting I learned to count, spell, and appreciate others before I went to school.”
--Shannon, Waco, Nebraska
“Public television and radio provide the opportunity for people to see and hear what happens throughout our nation and our world, to appreciate nature, foreign culture and most of all, it gives an audience to people, cultures and opinions that would not be seen anywhere else on television.”
--Jocelyn, Wixom, Michigan
“In these days of radio where every news [story] is slanted towards the right or the left, I love listening to public radio to get the gist of the story. I love the fact that I can make up my own mind about the piece that I just heard.”
--Sara, Trenton, New Jersey
“I live in a rural area, have no cable, and use rabbit ears for reception…My entire family, consisting of myself, my husband and my two children have sat in the family room every evening after dinner and watched the Lehr News Hour…My children, as a result, have learned to discuss issues from an intellectual level unattained by friends of theirs who watch the news on commercial television.”
--Sheelagh, Kingshill, Virgin Islands
“I cannot even imagine a world without NPR and PBS!...The first thing I do on Saturday morning is tune in to Scott Simon.”
--Nita, via e-mail
“As an independent television producer in New Orleans, public television is providing an opportunity for me to make a documentary that shows the reality of post Katrina New Orleans. Without support from CPB, it would be impossible for me to complete this project.”
--Royce, New Orleans, Louisiana
“Public Broadcasting matters to me because it is the only place I can go for unbiased news and information not tainted by commercial concerns…Public Broadcasting is a trusted and invaluable family friend to whom we can listen and from whom we can learn.”
--Gregory, Lexington, Kentucky
“I truly enjoy all PBS programming. It has enhanced my cooking skills, brought me different views on daily news, informed me on real estate, taken me around the world with globetreker, and exposed me to independent programming.”
--Cynthia, White Plains, New York
“I spend quite a lot of time in my car traveling to visit family, friends, and do business. Wherever I go I listen to NPR. In my glove box I carry a list of stations across the country. That way I stay connected to the news that matters.”
--Ann, via e-mail
"All I can really say to all of you at NPR is a huge THANKS!!! You folks make getting up in the morning and struggling through the day all worth while."
-- Greg, Tombstone, AZ
"I would like to say that PBS is by far the most watched television station in my home. I even have your Web site as my homepage at work. Thank you for broadcasting quality programming that enriches my family's life."
-- Nathan via e-mail
"I love NPR for their thought-provoking shows and fascinating guests."
-- Andrea, Johnstown, CO
".I feel safe allowing my child to watch PBS KIDS without fear of violent graphics or crude language. Plus shows are uninterrupted by commercials selling things 'we all need.' Thank you for being a safe haven for my family!"
-- Beth, via e-mail
"Every person who listens to local or national programs maintains an intimate relationship with NPR."
-- Katie, Wichita, KS
"As a former resident of New Orleans because of Katrina, I just loved your piece Frontline 'The Storm.' Although it left me even angrier than losing my home, it really tied up all the loose ends on Katrina and where things went wrong. As always, Frontline was excellent. Thank you on behalf of New Orleans."
-- Danielle, via e-mail
"I grew up on NPR, and listening to the shows and familiar songs is always wonderful."
-- Angelique, New York, NY
"I would have to give up watching TV if there were no PBS ..."
-- Don, via e-mail (October 2005)
"NPR's ability to provide stories of such high quality never ceases to amaze me."
-- Sarah, Germantown, TN
"As a teacher of fourth graders, I cannot thank you enough for your Democracy Project site. ' President for a Day' was informative, organized and fun! Thank you for providing such an excellent learning tool for my students."
-- Melisa, via e-mail
"Thank you again for the free broadcast, which ultimately has a positive effect on the morale of soldiers deployed all over the world."
-- Timothy, Major, U.S. Army Signal Corps, Baghdad, Iraq
. What you give the children is awesome. It is packaged as entertainment for the kids and it does entertain, but it provides valuable learning also; not only in counting, shapes, colors, etc., but also in values." -- Brenda, via e-mail
"I've been a listener for years and will continue to be. Your radio programming is excellent and much appreciated."
-- Virginia, Earleton, FL
"PBS is the best television on television. I probably get two thirds of my information and entertainment from PBS. It's not just the quality, but the quantity of the quality of the newscasts and programs on PBS that sets it apart from other TV stations and media corporations... I just want to thank you guys for giving the viewing public the best information and entertainment on television."
-- David, via e-mail
"National Public Radio has grown into one of the greatest pillars of democracy in America."
-- Jack, Philadelphia, PA
"My son and I just watched an Arthur episode "Binky Goes Nuts" in which Binky learns he is allergic to peanuts. I wanted to take a minute to thank you for writing and airing this episode to help educate other children about allergies like this one and to help my child know he is not alone. Thanks for addressing this serious issue in a kid-friendly way."
-- Linda, via e-mail
"I can think of no other public organization that is more creative, culturally diverse, informative, functional and widespread than NPR."
-- Eric, Durham, NC
"I love NPR and am grateful for all the good work going on there."
-- Nancy, San Rafael, CA
"My family and I have been avid NPR listeners for literally as long as I can remember, and now that I have my own kids, I am thrilled to be able to raise them in an NPR home, no matter where we are."
-- Nathan (husband of a Foreign Service worker), Cambodia
"Just watched American Experience 'John and Abigail Adams' and what a superb production it was! The overused vernacular expression 'a home run' is perfectly appropriate for this broadcast documentary. An American expression for an American masterpiece about Americans."
-- Bob, via e-mail
"One of the things that sets NPR apart is that it is not enslaved to the 24-hour news cycle and can stay with a story as long as it takes."
-- Norman, Bay St. Louis, MS
".your morning broadcast has informed, amused, delighted, educated, shook up, reformed, charmed and guided me."
-- Christine, Pasadena, CA
"Keep up the great work. PBS programming is superb. . Thanks for all the thoughtful and thought-provoking programming."
-- Al, via e-mail
"I love NPR more than anything except maybe air and my dog -- two other things I cannot live without."
-- Linda, Idaho
"I just want to thank you for an amazing resource, the PBS Parents website. From kids' television programming to your site, PBS is one of the most positive and versatile tools for learning and fun out there." -- Susan, via e-mail
"I love what you all do at NPR! There are many things I could do without and still be happy; NPR is not one of them! Thank you for all that all of you do!"
-- Michelle, Tallahassee, FL
"[I] am a regular viewer of PBS and enjoy both The Newshour with Jim Lehrer and Charlie Rose almost daily. . PBS has been called a national treasure and I think it is. Thank you."
-- Denys, via e-mail
"I listen to NPR so much and I rely on it for very current information."
-- Julia, Boston, MA
"I loved Nova 'Einstein's Big Idea.' It was riveting and made lively the science that we studied so many years ago. Well done! I have a much better understanding of these concepts now."
-- Margaret, via e-mail
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