If only politics were that simple.
In reality, society is torn apart by economic and social inequality,
dominated by giant corporations that benefit from low wages and foreign
wars. These same corporations -- owned by super-rich individuals -- also
benefit from the lies, anger, and insanity broadcast by the mainstream
media. The phenomenon of scare tactics directly benefits giant
corporations who want a subdued populace so they can pursue their
business-friendly agenda.
Stewart does his audience a great disservice by not recognizing the
profit-motive behind the right-wing fear-mongers, who are paid large
salaries by corporations to divide and confuse working people.
We are instead led to believe that simple "insanity" is why our
mainstream media allows figures such as Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and
Sarah Palin to preach hate and nonsense to millions of people.
In fact, these right-wingers are given such large venues because their
politics are in line with the foreign and domestic policy interests of a
number of very rich people who own TV channels and other corporations.
Stewart's rally signaled -- whether consciously or not -- a degree of
political backpedaling on his part. During the Bush Administration,
Stewart and Colbert's shows were incredibly radical, given the political
circumstances; they exposed lies that cut deep into the
Administration's heart. It was at this time that Stewart became globally
famous, as millions around the world looked to his show to challenge
the false narrative broadcast by the Bush government.
The Daily Show changed considerably when Obama became President. The
criticisms became more mild mannered, even as Obama continued
essentially the same policies as Bush. When Obama recently appeared on
Stewart's Daily Show, not one question was asked about Obama's wars,
while Obama was allowed to speak endlessly about all the great things he
was doing for the country, in effect papering over his complete lack of
action to create jobs.
Whether he acknowledges it or not, Jon Stewart is a political figure
adored by millions on the left and ruthlessly hated by those on the
right. The middle-ground that Stewart would like to base his politics on
survives only in his head, and in the heads of others who would like to
ignore the very real conflict between giant corporations versus tens of
millions of working people.
Sides must be taken in this battle. But instead, Stewart preaches from
the sidelines with a message that says, "No such battle is taking
place." Unfortunately for Stewart, the politicians and mainstream media
that he regularly thrashes fully embrace this perspective, for their
own benefit.
Shamus Cooke is a social service worker, trade unionist, and writer for
Workers Action (http://www.workerscompass.org). He can be reached at
shamuscook@gmail.com
In reality, society is torn apart by economic and social inequality,
dominated by giant corporations that benefit from low wages and foreign
wars. These same corporations -- owned by super-rich individuals -- also
benefit from the lies, anger, and insanity broadcast by the mainstream
media. The phenomenon of scare tactics directly benefits giant
corporations who want a subdued populace so they can pursue their
business-friendly agenda.
Stewart does his audience a great disservice by not recognizing the
profit-motive behind the right-wing fear-mongers, who are paid large
salaries by corporations to divide and confuse working people.
We are instead led to believe that simple "insanity" is why our
mainstream media allows figures such as Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and
Sarah Palin to preach hate and nonsense to millions of people.
In fact, these right-wingers are given such large venues because their
politics are in line with the foreign and domestic policy interests of a
number of very rich people who own TV channels and other corporations.
Stewart's rally signaled -- whether consciously or not -- a degree of
political backpedaling on his part. During the Bush Administration,
Stewart and Colbert's shows were incredibly radical, given the political
circumstances; they exposed lies that cut deep into the
Administration's heart. It was at this time that Stewart became globally
famous, as millions around the world looked to his show to challenge
the false narrative broadcast by the Bush government.
The Daily Show changed considerably when Obama became President. The
criticisms became more mild mannered, even as Obama continued
essentially the same policies as Bush. When Obama recently appeared on
Stewart's Daily Show, not one question was asked about Obama's wars,
while Obama was allowed to speak endlessly about all the great things he
was doing for the country, in effect papering over his complete lack of
action to create jobs.
Whether he acknowledges it or not, Jon Stewart is a political figure
adored by millions on the left and ruthlessly hated by those on the
right. The middle-ground that Stewart would like to base his politics on
survives only in his head, and in the heads of others who would like to
ignore the very real conflict between giant corporations versus tens of
millions of working people.
Sides must be taken in this battle. But instead, Stewart preaches from
the sidelines with a message that says, "No such battle is taking
place." Unfortunately for Stewart, the politicians and mainstream media
that he regularly thrashes fully embrace this perspective, for their
own benefit.
Shamus Cooke is a social service worker, trade unionist, and writer for
Workers Action (http://www.workerscompass.org). He can be reached at
shamuscook@gmail.com
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