On Guiltlessly Refusing to Support NPR

I listen to NPR (National Public Radio) on my drive into work, sometimes. I listen to a show called Fresh Air on the way home sometimes, too. I grew up watching Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers -- both public TV shows. That is the extent of publicly funded broadcasting in my life.

Of late, over the past few years, I have been subjected to fundraising campaigns on the radio from our local station. They ask for money. When these come on, I usually guiltlessly change the channel. I say "guiltlessly" because I feel absolutely no obligation to donate to public radio. I suppose I just don't find it important enough. So sue me. If I am going to donate money, it is going to be to cancer research for children or to a local "soup kitchen" for the poor or to an arts fund. NPR is low on my list.

Me, on the left; NPR on the right. 

So, when I change the channel to avoid listening to the same speech about how they need money delivered seven different ways in one "break" I do so without any shame whatsoever. Then, I shamelessly go back to listening. I will listen, in my occasional way, until NPR folds and then, with not a tear shed, I will move on to some other form of automotive diversion; a book on tape, perhaps.

But now, I think the powers-that-be at NPR have decided that the time is right to start trying to make me (and all listeners, I am forced to admit through my lens of maniacal egocentrism) feel guilty for not supporting them with donations. They have never done this before -- not in all the years I have been listening. Why now?