A whole lot of people will be hurt if the Dems don't give in to the Republican demands.

[erronis]

95. These are not the 50's anymore

Fortunately, and unfortunately.

While there was incredible rabidity in the politicians (McCarthy), the public (KKK), and the virulent left-wing, it doesn't seem as coordinated and manipulated as today.

The media-is-the-message has reached a low ground in these later days. Ownership,via outright stock control, or via the pursuit of the advertisers filthy lucre has made media a conduit of their owners.

There has always been pink journalism as well as shill journalists for moneyed interests but I believe the ability to use ruse vehicles (Murdoch's empire), and internet communications, as well as the overwhelming influence of money has blocked most real reporting from reaching the masses. I imagine that every output from the "reporters" has to be processed, triaged, reworded, sanitized by the media "watchers".

Every output needs to meet the corporate goals. Flashy, sexy, eye-catching graphics, hot-button phrases, serious-looking pundits, red bowties or bit hairdos.

Thats why most of us are turning away from the plastic "media". I'd rather pick up a flyer in the local market than read some re-re-re-digested news in the MSM.