Political Football

Eventually, I will position this series of POSTS to PAGES as I break down my thoughts about Republican and Democrat values. As Pages; they will not roll into archives but will appear on the right side of this blog space. My plan is to try to change this blog to post more personal thoughts, but will continue to find articles for comment also.

Disclaimer: this is all the opinion of this blogspace owner and links have been provided to as much supporting documentation as practical.

Today’s political climate is hateful and vindictive and that is wrong. We have frequently seen cycles of that hatefulness through the centuries, but this current situation shows no signs of abatement.

Most politicians on BOTH sides of the aisle seem to be more focused on what I believe to be biased opinion polls and then getting re-elected, rather than talking to constituents about what we really think. (and unfortunately most of us don’t think about it what makes a better citizen or a better country)

There was a good article in the online Journal Saturday that shows how government should work. We have had some financial setbacks in the city due to recent tornado damage. The damage was bad, but didn’t cost enough to qualify the city for federal financial help. The goal in a city government (as it SHOULD be in any government) is to keep property taxes down as well as other city taxes – while supplying its residents with a solid public infrastructure.

Not mentioned in this article is that one of the founding businesses in the city that donated the land and helped start our outstanding athletic complex over 40 years ago, just donated $6,000 to pay the deductible for the city to get the insurance action it needed to repair the complex. That is a great example of businesses and government working together for a better city.

Payroll is the highest expense of many government functions (and many production oriented and seasonal businesses). The article linked above is a call to review where money can be saved in the future. There is no mention of anyone losing jobs through consolidation efforts, but government (like any well run business) needs to rethink organizational structure periodically. I believe I’m correct in stating that the basic governing structure in this city is a mixture of both parties, but the leadership (Mayor) has most often been Republican.

I’ve been studying what’s been going on in Washington DC and how it’s been reported in the National and International Media for some time – and that’s one of the major reasons I started this blog. In this fast paced world, the majority of Americans don’t vote, and the VAST majority get their news in sound bytes or through news headlines.

It has been well documented that the national media is 75-85% liberal in their personal preference, and conservatives dominate talk radio. You can read more at this link – but I will summarize one issue here by posting this quote out of the linked article:

“When asked who would be a better president, the journalists from outside the Beltway picked Mr. Kerry 3 to 1, and the ones from Washington favored him 12 to 1. Those results jibe with previous surveys over the past two decades showing that journalists tend to be Democrats, especially the ones based in Washington.”

I suspect you’ve heard of the Liberal “Air America” failed attempt to capture some of the radio airwaves, but radio has not proven to be a successful conduit for liberal talk. I also suspect you’ve heard of several liberal senators threatening to bring back the “Fairness Doctrine” for radio in order to force more liberal talk radio.

Can you doubt the news you hear and read is slanted in favor of Democrats?

In defense of conservative talk shows dominating the air waves; to me that’s a matter of supply and demand. If these shows were not making money they would not remain on the air.

Lies or distortion from either side of the aisle should be exposed.

Part 2 – Republicans & Democrats – National Government

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