Buffalo, N.Y. : Courier Litho. Co., c1899.
I’m up late at night a lot. At least a couple times a week I am awake after 2 a.m. and have the TV on. General Electric CBS broadcasts what they label “news” at that hour.
Last night was no different than any other night watching the news — little factual information, a whole lot of spin.
The report about the stimulus package was the usual regurgitation of Republican talking points (“it’s massive!”) but it finally struck me how completely lopsided the perspective is. The record-breaking size of the economic hole we are in has been reduced to fun-fact status.
Discussing the stimulus package in a vacuum makes it impossible to understand what, how or why any particular part of that package addresses the massive problems caused by Republican policies.
People who do actual work are being forced to voluntarily take pay cuts, union contracts are being broken, but the merest suggestion that corporate managers not receive bonuses? Horrors! Outrage!
So who does CBS run think is qualified to opine on how to fix the economy?
John McCain.
Huh?
Didn’t he just get his ass handed to him in the recent presidential election in large part because of his views on the economy? How does he merit any authority in this conversation at all?
Why does CBS want America to fail?
But CBS is not alone. Tune in to any news program, read any newspaper — they are all singing the same tune. “Democrats are crazy!” “Democrats are dangerous!” “Democrats want to give your money to welfare queens!”
This past Sunday the putz known as Stephanopoulos told Congressman Barney Frank that the disasterous money pit that is the invasion and occupation of Iraq cannot be discussed in relation to the economy and the stimulus bill.
Why?
Because that would make the stimulus bill not look quite so massive.
And it hurts the feelings of Republicans.
So forget about Iraq.
And while you’re at it, forget about out-of-control “defense” spending (up 70% since 2003).
In discussions on TV about the stimulus bill and it’s massiveness, the enormity of the disaster that is our national economy is completely absent.
Now, I am all for everyone getting an opportunity to have their opinion heard but I heartily disagree with President Obama’s tack of asking Republicans for suggestions. He has given their failed policies legitimacy — he is assisting the pony chokers.
