Gov't to Spend $600,000 on Toad Statue

People in the United States are rallying against wasteful government spending as the deficit and national debt soar.  Officials do not seem to be listening.  Either that or they really like amphibians.

Having spent $700,000,000 on a new building (the Mark Center) in Alexandria, Virginia, the Department of Defense is looking to furnish the interior.  Though you may think that the government might want to save, instead they had an idea:  spend $600,000 on a sculpture of a toad that has a fairy on top.

But something as costly as this would be the main attraction at the building, or at least in the main lobby, right?  Well, no.  Actually, if the statue is purchased, it will be seen by relatively few people, as it will be located near bus shuttles.

Worth six-figures?

The statue of the toad is not the only piece of art being considered by the Mark Center, either.  It is one of four that could be purchased.  It is unclear if they could all be bought by the government, or only one.

A city official added about the cost:  "the $600,000 is federal money, and that no Alexandria funds will pay for the art."  Well, that's nice.  Now, who does federal money come from...  Oh yeah, us.

US News adds:

The four art proposals for the bus terminal include works for a wall and sculpture. But the one drawing most attention is the fairy and frog from artist Cheryl Foster. Her proposals describes the sculpture this way: "A 10-foot fairy, using an American Toad as 'transportation,' scurries to the entrance of the station. The interior of the toad is illuminated and the sounds of nature emanate from his throat." She said that nature inspired her.

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