Michael,
I'll try to answer this in a balanced way. There are other countries around the world who seem to have gotten the equation right. But I have very deep suspicion that government intervention in the arts in the US, especially now would be a…
Today's word from the OED has the following earliest quotation: 1611 COTGR. Tirelire, a Christmas box; a box having a cleft on the lid, or in the side, for money to enter it; used in France by begging Fryers, and here by Butlers, and Prentices, etc.