No, this is not about global warming, though that is also a problem. I am talking about the climate of politics in this country. This past weekend, I watched the Sunday Morning program on CBS during which Sen. Snow of Maine was talking about the difference between the politics of Washington now and when she first ran for Congress. Campaigns used to end when the election was over and our representatives got down to the real work governing this country, which normally meant some sort of compromise.
In comparison, everyone now is always campaigning. When every statement, every speech, every vote, even who you had dinner with is constantly observed, given political meaning and comment, compromise is not allowed. In some way, we have done it to ourselves and are getting what we deserve, though the taste is bitter.
The media play a part. The media presentation of political events is treated in the same manner as a sporting event. Rather than a discussion of issues, we are given the score. Rather than reasearching facts, they take a poll. Rather than seeking the truth, we get two talking heads preseting opposing spin, designed only to keep their supporters happy. The amazing fact is that viewers must like this, because the Tim Russert, Bob Shieffer, George Stephanopolous types never challenge it. And do not get me started on entertainment shows like Chris Matthews's Hard Ball. Every time we see the "balanced" view of head to head spin presented as news, the country gets a bit more partisan.
A similar role is given to technology, where the internet provides the perfect medium for joining together people of like minds into communities for action. Some, like the Sierra Club, are relatively benign. Others are much more focused, arrogant in their assertion of the correctness of their position and willing to do almost anything to gain media attention. They have all learned the media focusing power of a demonstration with hundreds (even thousands) of screaming, sign carrying, people in identical tee shirt made specially for the occasion. You even find guides on how to organize demonstrations, how to structure media campaigns all packaged in activist toolkits for anyone to use. And we do, every day, all the time.
We know why the climate in Washington is so hot. We are the ones turning up the heat. All those "representatives of the people" are doing is covering their asses.
Posted by Wes at August 1, 2005 07:58 AM