national endowment for the arts, nea, was created, and the national endowment also for the humanities, the nehtoo. both were included in president john on's budgeted program, great society. now fast-forward to today, a period of economic slowdown. what gets debudgeted? the humanities are often the first target and thought to be dispensable. the performing arts aren't only good for the soul, they're also good for the body, including the economic body. they generate revenue and fight poverty. four years ago, 8900 performing arts groups in the u.s. generated more than $13 billion in revenues. most of it taxable. in one year, americans spent $14.5 billion on performing arts, more than a $10 billion spent on box office movie tickets. studies have also shown that the odds make people physically and emotionally. let's suppose the national endowment for the arts got a budget this year of about $49 million. existed in 1961. let's suppose that the beatles first took the stage here in the u.s. with the nea have supported the likes of thebeat unless. >> that's too many supposings, i think. the beatles too