It's not the political figures who are bring this country down...

[WCGreen]

It's the corruption of the news and information we depend on by the corporate media that is dragging us toward oblivion.

Yesterday, on CNBC of all places, I listened to a couple of "investors" talking about where does the responsibility to the shareholders end and the responsibility to the public, to the planet, really, begin.

Indeed where is that magic line?

We have been told for years, by that same corporate media that politics is basically so corrupt that, as Louie the Immigrant Hater likes to say, there isn't any difference between the Democrats and Republicans. It's interesting that this usually only comes out when Democrats are in power. This is done. I believe, to make us think that no one in Washington has our best interests in mind while serving the public in DC. This feeling that there is no difference between the party's leaves most voters little choice but to vote their own pedestrian interests; gays, guns and Armageddon.

And then we hear, from that same corporate media, that corruption and conniving are essentially business as usual in real life while lulling us into indifference by bombarding us with visions of idealistic reformers and crime fighters on the network shows.

The question this leads to is simple; Where does the responsibility to the greater good trump the desire to maximize profits at any cost? When do those costs finally get so onerous to the society that we cry out enough is enough. Well we saw first hand that no matter how much we yell, how many people take to the streets, the bastard gatekeepers, Wolfy, Louie et al, dismiss the people's voice and in turn, depend on the very corrupt folks they rail against to set the news agenda. In the run up to the war in Iraq, no dissent was covered, no alternative was offered, no comfort was given.

This bit of news about the corporate media going after Kerry because he didn't support further FCC deregulation should be a major canary in a coal mine moment. But how are we to know unless those we have trusted with giving us the news have a different agenda. The FCC is the place to start this reform.

So again, where does the responsibility of the corporation to it's shareholders end and the debt they owe to a society that allows them to make money basically unfettered begin?

I know this is long and rambling, but I feel deeply about this issue.

What we can do is proclaim as loudly as possible to all our friends and relatives that there is indeed a difference between the democrats and republicans. I know a lot of folks here on DU think differently, especially since we took back the house and senate, but really, you have to realize that there is indeed a difference. And it is stark. The republicans will always come down on the side of deregulation to appease their corporate masters. The Democrats will, at the very least, take into consideration the needs of the public which go beyond those of the people populating the board rooms of America. At their very best, the democrats will do what they think is right for the common people. It's why the republicans absolutely despise the Trial Attorneys of America. They are a huge threat to the well being of corporate masters.

That whole Mickey D's coffee law suit a couple of years ago brings the whole corporate outlook of the media to light. I bet you didn't know that Mickey D's was sued hundreds of times over the scalding coffee but paid off the law suits before they went to trial in order to keep the coffee at the high temperature. From Leno to Limbaugh, every media person pointed to that law suit as the reason to slap restrains on the rights of individuals to seek redress from the corporations. Think about it, if the public turns against the Trial Attorneys, who will we have to fight the good fight for the common people. The media was obviously threatened by John Edwards, a successful trail attorney. Why else would they point out his lavish lifestyle while agreeing to photograph the Bush compound as if it was an aw shucks ramshackle old place. I can't remember when there were pictures of the Bush mansion. So Bush, the greedy corporate bastard is viewed in a good light while Edwards, the guy who took corporate America to task for harming citizens, is viewed as an elitist.

America: no country for sane men.

[End Of The Road]

1. I've read your post several times now, and have enjoyed it

although I think your subject line is a bit misleading, since you address ethics in media, government, and special interest groups. There is plenty of blame to go around, isn't there?

I agree with you entirely about the media. So long as television news is included in overall media ratings, therefore determining advertising rates and revenues, and so long as major newspapers are owned by a mere handful of corporations, there is no "free press." A free press is essential to democracy, and we're suffering for lack of it. I'm certain that our leaders are lying to us, but how do I know for sure without an honest press?

Regarding lack of corporate and government responsibility to the public and the planet, that seems to me to be the consequence of the idea that true freedom resides in "letting the market decide." When did this idea take over so completely? - was it the Reagan years, or even earlier than that? - I truly don't know. I think we've seen enough of it, though, to tentatively conclude that it results in exploitation of the public and the planet, and is certainly at odds with my ideas of freedom.

While the Democratic Party touts itself as the party of the people and not the corporations, they've not been living up to their responsibility, IMHO. Perhaps they can't, with the opposition of the media and the corporations, but they could have made a helluva lot more noise about it.

Ultimately, the individuals whom we elect have to be committed to democracy over greed and profit, and they have to enact legislation that prevents corporate interests from running roughshod over democracy. The corporations must agree that their longterm health depends on ethics as well as dollars. How we get there, I don't know.

[WCGreen]

2. It goes back and forth....

I see a time in the near future where the reform movement of the early 1900s will be revisited.

[End Of The Road]

3. I wish I shared your optimism.

I foresee continued loss of civil liberties to keep us in line, with a greatly reduced quality of life.

[WCGreen]

4. It depends heavily on this election....

[ColbertWatcher]

5. Tucker Carlson said something about politics yesterday...

...that made my BS detector go crazy.

He said that politics is divisive and meant to keep people fighting.

I knew immediately there was something wrong with what he was saying, but was waiting for the meme to spread throughout the tubes.

Then I read your post today and this just confirms my suspicions.

Thank you for your post.

[Virginia Dare]

12. American Idol/Presidential election..

no difference as far as the MSM is concerned.

[blm]

6. The fascist allies of BushInc didn't buy control of the media in the 80s and 90s so the American

people would better understand their government or know the truth behind their fascist agenda.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. You should be teaching history to the children...

Perfect!

K&R

:patriot:

[bean fidhleir]

8. You're right: it's not the pols. You're wrong: it's the people who think

that there's a significant difference between the GOP and the Dems.

Here's the evidence: the Dems had both houses of Congress, the presidency, and SCOTUS during Johnson's time. They *owned* the government. But healthcare is still a luxury item, edu is still a luxury item, property rights are still more important than civil rights, and the very necessities of life itself - food, clothing, shelter - are available only to those who have money.

Here's another bit of evidence: the Dems say they can't do anything unless they own everything - but they didn't do anything when they DID own everything, and they could have shut down the killing in Iraqistan simply by refusing to fund it. But they didn't.

So I think the evidence shows you're deluded. The cleavage point is not Dem:GOP, it's pro-worker:pro-owner, and nearly all the Dems are pro-owner.

Until we stop lying to ourselves, nothing will change.

[WCGreen]

9. Oh Dear, what about the Civil Rights legislation pushed

through the democratic congress and signed into law by LBJ.

The democrats had all the marbles then and look what they did.

The Dem's pushed through Medicare and Medicaid when LBJ and the Dem's controlled everything. And that was the very first attempt at nationalizing Health Care.

The Dem's pushed through public service with the Peace Corp and Vista.

The Dem's worked with Nixon to create the EPA and consumer watchdog organizations.

The Church committee that brought about sweeping changes to the way we spy on other people was run by democrats.

The freedom of information act.

They expanded Food Stamp Programs, School Lunches and a whole host of other anti-poverty measures to ease the burden on those who are facing a bleak life.

It was the Reagan Administration that pushed back all the gains made in the 60's and 70's. And remember, the GOP had control of the Senate after 1986.

Can you imagine what our country would be like without Medicare and Medicaid? Without School Lunch programs? Without Food Stamp programs?

Just because the Dem's didn't storm 1600 Pennsylvania Ave when they took shaky control of the House and Senate doesn't mean you can wipe out decades tehm working tierelessly to soften the blunt edge of capitalism. And all that came from the Democrats and what use to be a cadre of liberal eastern republican, a now extinct species.

Yes, my friend, there really is a difference between democrats and republicans. It's a shame you are too angry to see the difference.

[bean fidhleir]

10. "Oh dear" is right. You're bragging about bandaids

Everything on your list is a bandaid. WHY DID WE ONLY GET BANDAIDS? Why did the Dems whose feet you want everyone to kiss only give us bandaids and those grudgingly? They *OWNED* the damned government for most of a decade.

You're right that the problem isn't the pols. The problem is the peasants who alibi the pols, unable to tell the difference between form and substance. (I'm presuming here that you are an honestly servile peasant bewildered by my rejection of your gods, not a professional apologist saying this stuff for pay)

[tjwash]

13. You're calling ending segregation, a making sure that Blacks have voting rights bandaids?

:wtf:

Getting rid of laws that made it legal for an entire population of people that were segregated, in half of the United States is just a band aid? Why don't you take a trip down to Memphis, and kindly explain to these good people how everything that their predecessors fought and died for was just a dog and pony show.

Nice way to marginalize one of the most turbulent, and divisive time in our contries history next to the civil war.

Go back to nader-land where that ignorant tripe you just spouted off came from.

[WCGreen]

14. You said it better than I could...

[bean fidhleir]

18. Oh? There's no segregation and Black people can all vote?

They're not still getting "caged", as Palast has documented? They don't get blocked? They can live wherever they like, despite being paid less? It isn't segregation when they pay more for the same goods, get poorer medical treatment for the same diagnosis, et interminable cetera?

What a wonderful planet you guys must live on. Pity the rest of us can't join you.

[WCGreen]

20. You can't be serious to think that the situation hasn't been changed

because of the Civil Rights Acts that the Dem's pushed through, against their own self-interest, I might add.

But if you truly believe that, then why bother to post on DU...

[bean fidhleir]

22. Changed? Changed isn't the measure. The GOP have "changed" the situation too.

The measure is whether we got what we need. And the verdict is: we didn't. Despite the Dems OWNING the government for nearly a decade, and consistently controlling at least part of it for many decades, we didn't.

See what's real. Don't lie to yourself.

[WCGreen]

23. In a pluralistic society, you have to compromise in order to get things

done.

We are the most diverse country on the face of the earth with virtually every ethnic, cultural and religious sect represented in some way in our society. It takes time but I tell you I believe we are the only nation on the face of this earth that is equipped to pull this off.

As far as the GOP is concerned, they truly represent the old days, the days when rich white guys made all the decisions top down. They are not equipped for change.

I have to ask you something, if you find trouble distinguishing between the democrats and republicans, what do you do to reconcile your political needs?

[bean fidhleir]

24. Sorry, but you apparently need to study the definition of "majority rule".

We're the majority. We have 90% of the votes. Why should we compromize?

[4_TN_TITANS]

11. I disagree...

As much as the media sucks, it can't all be pinned on them. There is enough worthwhile news that slips through the cracks, even on the MSM, for even a dimly inquisitive mind to connect a few dots. Americans have spent too long with lifestyles comfortable enough to be able to squander their time on god, guns, and gays. It will take people having to get down and dirty to feed their families, meet the neighbors for help and security, etc. before people wake up.

[WCGreen]

15. I remember when 60 minutes was must see TV because they

spoke to the issues of the day.

Now they are no more than a glorified celebrity show with safe news stories.

Corporate ownership of most of the media has dumbed down the news.

[Clark2008]

16. Good post, except for one thing.

No one was threatened by John Edwards.

Edwards took cases to enrich himself (nothing wrong with that, per se). He did not do it to take on corporations. That was just a by product.

[deaniac21]

17. And he got every trail in America fixed!

[WCGreen]

19. Trust me, having a Trial Attorney in the White House would be

worse than having a union official.

Just pay attention to what is going on in your local judicial races or your race for AG or your race for Supreme Court Justices in the state.

I have never seen such vitriol as I have seen against the Trial Attorneys.

One of the reasons doctors now give more to the GOP than to the Dem's is because of the Trail Attorneys.

And see, you are falling right into their publicity campaign against Trial Attorneys by mouthing the corporate attack against them.

Edwards took cases and won settlements because the the corporations did wrong and were not willing to do anything about it and yet the first thing you say is Edwards took these cases to enrich himself. That is exactly what they want you to believe.

And, pray tell, who else is going to stand up to the rich and powerful if the Trail Attorneys go away?

BTW, I am not an Attorney.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. That is exactly right...

We need our Trial Attorneys like never before.

Thank you...

[kentuck]

25. Amen.

Thanks WCGreen.