Some people say the Government should not put money into building theaters and sports stadiums; they should spend more money on medical care and education. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

What would the world be like without Shakespeare or the Olympics? While medical care and education are perhaps the 1highest priorities to which money can be allocatedhighest causes to which money can be contributed, the arts and athletics are in some ways just as valuable. So, to ask the 2government not to extend supportgovernment to not extend support to these two areas could be just as detrimental to the welfare of society as the lack of sufficient health care and education. The Romans believed in “Mens sana in corpore sano”, usually translated as "a sound mind in a sound body". 3In short, that there is indeed a correlation between a healthy body and healthy mind. When we are healthy, we feel better 4and are therefore more likelyand so are more likely to be productive academically. Plus, 5participation in sportsthe practice of sports 6can teach us the same disciplinecan also teach us the very same discipline we need for our studies. 7EvenWhy even a brisk walk or watching an exciting athletic match can refresh the mind for 8more productive workgreater work. Moreover, 9sports can create healthier bodiessports can serve to create healthier bodies, which in turn 10canwould serve as a form of “preventive medicine” thereby cutting down on medical costs. In the same vein, the arts are known to induce a sense of well-being in performers and 11audiencesaudience alike, reducing mental problems and their associated physical manifestations and again, medical costs. As such, building theatres and stadiums, which spur interest in the arts and sports respectively, 12would therefore be comparableactually would be practically identical to spending money on medical care and education! Now I realise the question specifically addresses the building of theatres and sports stadiums by the government. 13Some people would contend athletics and the arts can still be enjoyed and practised without such constructions. I would assert that these buildings 14serve as focal points for sport and the artsstand as the altars to the sports and art worlds, inspiring would-be athletes and performers. 15Without such venues, whereWithout such venues where would sports spectators and music aficionados be able to enjoy these events? Now 16otherssome other people would also say 17businesses could fund their constructionbusiness could support their construction, but we know the 18profit motives of businessesavarice of business could very likely jeopardise the lofty spirit of athletics and the arts just as well. 19Therefore, allowing the government to retain some say in the matter on behalf of the people would, I believe, be in the best interest of the people. In short, as long as the government does 20notno go overboard in its expenditures for these buildings and uses such venues for the benefit of all, then, as mentioned above, people will benefit in terms of both medical care and education as well. This is not to say the government should neglect medical care and education, but rather to think of this not as an either-or choice but as a win-win situation for all.