We need to consider here that it has been national policy since the 1920s that radio and TV broadcasters should give something back to the public for the use of the airwaves. This policy is becoming ever more necessary every election cycle and surely is needed by the public. From a candidate’s perspective as well, the absurdly high cost of reaching the public not only stifles democratic debate but also scares off many potential candidates from running. What could be worse?
As many have noted, the problem is that the cost of campaigning at all levels has exploded because of the cost of technology, TV ads, polling, the internet, and the dubious need of presidential candidates to campaign in many state primaries. As a result, all candidates - presidential, senate, congressional, state and local - have to spend an immense amount of time raising money. This is time they are not only not spending working on issues but, more important, they get most of their money from the wealthy and powerful - who have more access to them and presumably more influence on policies and programs at the expense of the people.
What kind of time have Hillary, Obama, and McCain spent on their senatorial duties and obligations to their constituents – the very people they are supposed to represent? Why are people in office spending all their time running for the next office? Is it not time we mandate an end to the endless campaign and call for a six month limit?
And whatever happen to the front porch campaign? We don’t need no stinkin’ buses, trains, planes, or caravans of SUV’s and phony carbon offsets. We’re polluting the world, our media, and our polis at the same time. In this age of table-top teleconferencing why are we seeing these people run – run here, run there, run everywhere in a fossil-fuel driven madness?
Clearly, we must be mad... not to mention stupid... and, worse, unable to affect real change because we lack a National Initiative process.
Keep in mind the media is profit motivated, they are businesses and they have no public interest.. unless it is imposed upon them. What the major media corporations have is an agenda, and it is not the people’s agenda.
The biases, distortions, and fabrications that result from this profit motive distorts and twists our democracy. The question today is whether "our" representatives have the guts to confront the media and restore our democracy. Is there a Howard Beale in the House?
Kent Welton,
EditorFreedom.com
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