It's irritating, especially since I was a professional classical musician for over a decade - to pay for a tax that funds nothing I care about because all the theaters are closed.

Taxpayers should be able to direct their funding to what they'd like to see - direct my $35 to where I think it will be well-spent. Some "art" really is obscene and lousy, and I hate being forced to pay for it so it goes out to some crony board who plays favorites. A better way to do it would be to fund arts through the lottery.

The simple fact is Portland's arts scene is rather provincial and third-rate. I can't stand the people.