Is that program necessary? Depends on how you define 'essential.'.

The author ponders on the meaning of essential in relation to government funding in the U.S. He criticizes the statement of Republican Nevada Senator Dean Rhodes that the railroad museum in Ely, Nevada is the pride of White Pine County and a business that could provide revenue for the people in the area. He notes that Republican government officials have cooperated and compromised with the Democrats in terms of raising taxes.