Asking permission is so old-fashioned.

"State still needs to fix fiscal mess"

Denver Post editorial

"And when you ask them, how much should we give? 
Ooh, they only answer more! more! more!"

--"Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

In this editorial, The Post laments the lack of tax-payer money available to fund higher education in Colorado. They call for state constitutional revisions so the money can be collected via taxes.

Not once does The Post even mention the possibility of private fundraising. Such a thing never crosses the minds of those that look to the government for answers.

Public colleges and universities raising funds privately is not a novel idea. This 1993 New York Times article deals with the very issue. 

This chart lists the top 20 colleges and universities in private fundraising for the year 2004. Half of them are public schools (including my very own University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill- Go Heels!).

Neither CU-Boulder nor Colorado State University is on the list. Perhaps The Post should implore the University of Colorado system to amp up its fundraising efforts and try to make the list in the future.

But of course asking for money requires work, and the answer frequently will be "no."

The Post would rather not have to worry about such niceties as asking. It is much easier to confiscate money via the state's power to tax than it is to ask politely.

Of course, asking nicely is the only moral choice. The Post, as usual, is not concerned with such an old-fashioned concept.