Fourth Estate or State of Mind

Fourth Estate or State of Mind

Is anyone else tired of the evening news, (include, radio and newspapers) deciding for what we should be thinking about? I am. It is interesting how quickly our attention is diverted away from Iraq, away from health costs, away from a flawed and fraudulent mortgage market that has caused thousands to lose a home. All of these things and more mean money to someone. We are again allowing ourselves to be manipulated. Think that the networks and newspapers don’t have a vested interest in this. Think again.

The nomination process is not about blacks or women; it is about how we can be turned on each other. Just a few stories taken out of context and the viewing audience did scream for blood. How many people ever saw Rev. Wright speak beyond those quick two or three second clips? Does this man not have the same rights as any American? I don’t ask you agree with him just find out the truth behind the dazzle. After I saw him on Bill Moyers and the CNN link to the NAACP speech, I found many things I could easily agree with. Is Bill Clinton, now suddenly out of his mind? Or is that just a better story. Think about it. You know this man. He was your President for eight years and has been involved with the challenges ever since. Take a few things out of context repeat them often enough and as if it was fact and you have another crazy person for the evening news.

Do you think the military and the many companies that feed into that are looking for an end to this war? Think again. There is way too much money to be made. America you are too smart to be so easily deceived. Think the insurance companies and drug companies want this country to have improved and regulated health care? No way. We feed these companies with our desperation and hard earned dollars. Other so called “developed” countries have told these companies, “These are our rules. Live by them or get out.” You’re told the health care in these countries isn’t as good as ours, simply not true. Being expensive and catering only to the few doesn’t mean better, just exclusive. These countries are ahead of us in almost every area of medicine: Britain, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Brazil, Japan . . . The list goes on; people in these countries don’t declare bankruptcy because of health care. Nearly a million Americans do every year.

When the government or the press tells us something that doesn’t make it a fact, or even right or good for you. Look beyond. Get past the gut reaction. Be honest with yourself. How many of your decisions are made because you have heard it over and over on TV and radio? Think drugs are illegal because the government cares about you or your children? Think money and who’s making it and who isn’t. Do you really think only wealthy people deserve good health care, a fair shot at owning a home, the price of food and water? I don’t. I think ours is system that has worked for the few, and the many have continued to support that. But for how much longer? More people, fewer resources. Do you really think we suddenly ran out of food? Take a long look at the commodities market. Enlightened self interest is a good thing.