Hard times bring out the ambiguity in politics. Except for fiscal extremists, most politicians in North America want to support their libraries. When "Library Journal" ("LJ") planned to name the heroes and villains in the politics of library funding, they rediscovered that politics just is not that simple, and that it may be a bad idea for library advocates and political strategists to label even what seem to be the most offensive politicians as villains. Attacking a politician rarely changes his or her mind, and after one has done it, negotiating with that person for library support is nearly impossible. Library leaders at the local and state level are reluctant to condemn politicians who oppose library funding but are quick to cheer those who either find new funds or push for the restoration of budgets that were slashed. While national advocacy programs such as those of the American Library Association help with techniques and strategies for working with politicians, library advocacy is really a local or state-level challenge. What emerges here is simple: budget cuts are inevitable in most jurisdictions in the current economic climate, because libraries are seen as important but nonessential. Until Americans are convinced that it is necessary to reform the tax system and increase some taxes--both unlikely in the current situation--library funding will remain chronically inadequate.