Is federal funding the best way to fund the arts? The worst? We've asked two experts on opposing sides to argue their case.

Arts lovers: go ahead and write your letters to Congress asking for level funding, that 6% increase, or whatever you want. But once federal funding becomes less of a joke, it may well become more of a headache.

Reallocating a tiny portion of the defense budget to fund tours for American performing arts companies to strategically important countries makes them a potent weapon in the battle to win hearts and minds.

The reasons we should care about children's fashion go way beyond our kids looking exceptional. Way beyond. Children's fashion is about more than aesthetics, and, for parents, it can make a bold statement about what we support, who we support, and what we want for our children.