It’s generally not a good feeling when your government is known for its frivolous spending. It’s an even worse feeling when you see the details: one million for road signs touting stimulus funds at work in Ohio, two million for a water taxi to Pleasure Beach, CA. Did you know the government spends $10 million annually for an international music troupe? Before everyone gets up in arms about government waste and whatnot, let’s look at the rationale.

The Rhythm Road, as it’s called, travels to over forty countries to spread American music. It’s all done in the name of changing perceptions with the hope that American music is a reason to hate the United States a little bit less. But how do we know if it’s effective? You might guess that this isn’t the easiest campaign to measure, but since its inception in the 50s, the program has seen some success.
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No one knows who Stefani Germanotta is. She is a graduate of the all-girls Convent of the Sacred Heart in Manhattan, she has naturally thick brunette hair, and she has her own creative production team called the Haus of Gaga. Stefani has transformed herself from a normal girl from a good Italian family with a penchant for going pant-less on stage, to a pop and fashion icon.

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