Our friends at Politico have uncovered an interesting story. David Axelrod had a private meeting with Fox News CEO Roger Ailes in Manhattan two weeks ago. Now what exactly was discussed is up for speculation, but when we consider that one of Axelrod’s responsibilities is the image of Obama and how the public view him, it doesn’t leave much room to speculate.
Fox News has the reputation of being on the right side of the political spectrum, while the Obama administration, though they claimed to be moderate, are on the far left of the spectrum. So when David meets with Roger to discuss the administration’s concerns with the image Fox News is portraying, it leads me to wonder if all of those “birthers, tea baggers, etc” might just be right with their claim that Obama and the administration are socialistic leaning.
I have asked myself when it would be necessary or proper for the White House to visit our media outlets to discuss what they are doing? Would it be proper for the administration to question news outlets when they are tainting the administration’s image? No, it would not be. Their right to speak their opinion is protected by the Constitution. How about when the media is discussing key issues that deal with the security of our nation? In this instance it is not only proper but necessary for the government to step in, but did they when the media was busy discussing what procedures our CIA operatives were using to extract information that saved American lives?
What I find most alarming about this instance, along with others (Fairness Doctrine), is that it reminds me a lot of current and past countries that eventually found themselves in a socialistic government, or worse, a dictator . The media is typically one of the first areas that is put under the control of the state when it is leaning towards a socialistic government. By eliminating the media, you enable the governing body to go largely unchecked by masses. One recent example would be Chavez, who after winning re-election took control of the media outlets that had criticized him and then moved to taking over other key industries.
We have recently seen how the media can bring people together to fight against the ills of the government, which is why it is important to have an unfettered media. A free and an unmolested media allows access to news that people might not otherwise have known. This access allows people to arrive at opinions for themselves. It is these opinions that affect they way we cast our vote. It is our votes that elect those in government. So in an indirect way, the media helps to promote a check and balance system within our government. When the current administration starts meeting with those outlets that help promote an opposing view point, I have to question the motives of the government.
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I’d like to hear from readers their opinions on how to make our voices heard, that many people are against this kind of bullying and that the fairness doctrine is not fair at all. We need to make our congressmen and senators accountable. Write letters to let them know our views and ask them to leave office if they do not represent our views. We have a right to a redress of grievances.
The sad thing is a majority of the 20 – 30 adult range are either liberal or moderate. They have not truly started to think about how politics has a direct affect upon them. It is this group that voted the current President and Congress into power because they are sheeple that follow what the main stream tells them. They are too busy with the current sporting events going on, or who is the biggest loser, or the next Idol. The priorities that they have are ass backwards. Right now they want government to take care of them because they were used to having Mom and Dad give them what they want.
I feel the solution is three fold; the first is to write/call/email/fax your Congress members and tell them how you feel and what they should be doing; second is to teach our children to think and understand why politics are important, they need to have an appreciation for our founding fathers and the Constitution; the third item is to talk to your friends and engage in conversations with them. Why do they feel the way they do? Where do they obtain there facts? Have they thought through the different effects that each choice will have upon them?
I believe it will be the grass roots movement that will help save our nation. The media, minus talk radio, has an agenda and they will not be the ones to help us. It will rely upon good old word of mouth and teaching our friends and neighbors. This is the only way I see us coming out from this current trend we are on.