82 Comments

Outstanding article. So much of what you said has occurred to me repeatedly over time with much frustration. It's like we have to settle into this type of "non-activity" because of legislators' inability/lack of courage to do their job. Even though I'd hate to see worthy/productive politicians sent home at the end of their time, perhaps term limits would be a worthy consideration.

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Love your comment that it’s incumbent on our elected officials to answer why they will support or not support something. We need to hold our elected representatives to transparency on their votes - not simply obfuscation.

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You have a lifetime of the most creative journalism known and it would be my privilege to interview you on my one hour weekly radio conversation on WCOM, a community station in Carrboro, NC. The broadcasts are every Monday at 5:00 PM, via zoom and are recorded when convenient several days before the broadcast. I have done this weekly show for 14 years as a volunteer for this station and have interviewed college presidents and faculty, retired ambassadors, local public figures, non-profit managers, children, and others among life's interests. We would plan the basics of the show in advance, but this will be a current activity for your famous voice to be heard on whatever topics might be of interest. We could do this sometime during the next few months at your convenience. WCOM can be heard world wide and I have had listeners and conversations from Rome, London, and Australia. I hope this will fit into your life of public interest.

Bill Hendrickson

919-251-9960

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Dan, people live in a world of video and sound bites these days. Your written words are very powerful and respected. Is there anyway you could somehow take these writings and provide them in a video and/or audio option? I realize there is a financial cost to making this happen but I bet you would get a large subscription base just to hear you talk.

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So very true...every single word. Thank you.

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“And voila, a bill will become a law.”

Yes, that is the way it should work. But yet we have collectively forgotten that and my question is, “Why”?

I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that one of the most fundamental reasons is that the five corporations that control around 90% of the media (AT&T, Comcast, Disney, Viacom, and Fox) have decided that democracy is not working for them, so they seek to condition us to accept authoritarian leadership.

For some time when I shared my opinions about journalism today, I explained (but did not justify) the editorial choices to emphasize simplistic reporting in order to generate angst and viewership / readership / clicks as a way to maximize profits. But no longer.

For instance, the way news (not opinion) articles reported the results of the New Jersey gubernatorial race (e.g., Phil Murphy barely won VS. Phil Murphy was the first Democratic governor to win reelections since 1977) seems to specifically intended to emphasize the “weakness” of the Democratic Party at the state levels. On yesterday’s Meet The Press, Chuck Todd trotted out the Trope Of The Day until Phill Murphy pointed out the historical pattern.

All of a sudden, much of the following reportage later in the day, across many of the various news shows, started mentioning the historical record. They all appeared (at least to my jaded eyes) to turn on a dime. Why? Is this a meta-example of “Nothing To See Here, Folks?” Or is it an example of something else?

Across the country, local and regional newspapers, broadcast, and online news sources are being snapped up, their local reporting and editorial staff slashed, and their - especially important - editorial and publishing staff centralized. This isn’t just about the Big Five, it’s a much larger problem.

So again, the question is “Why?” Is there a plausible reason that goes beyond just maximizing profit? Or is that sufficient reason in itself?

I’ve come to the conclusion that profit is the primary motivator, with that profit depending on building and maintaining monopoly power. There is growing talk of breaking up the monopolies and President Biden has nominated Jonathan Kanter as head of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice. Kanter is expected to be aggressive if confirmed. A significant additional threat to monopoly profit is the ascending influence of the Democrats’ Progressive Caucus, especially with the unexpected addition of President Biden.

These things together are sufficient to explain why mainstream media, which now should include Facebook, YouTube, and other online sources, wants to undermine the significance of Democratic influence by minimizing any historical precedents. The fact that this manufactured angst tends to push “the masses” towards wanting authoritarian leaders is a somewhat desirable side effect - after all, if power is consolidated in the hands of a few, it becomes much easier to get the desired outcomes and stave off corporate breakup or extinction.

As a final note, I am appalled by how oblivious so many at all levels are to this dynamic. As one example, WHY isn’t there a Chair of the FCC yet? If the Republicans take control at the end of the year because nobody has been nominated and confirmed, what will the end result be? The most common worry is Net Neutrality, but equal worry should be the strangling of Community Media Centers by the loss of local cable franchise revenues due to “cord-cutters”, which limit their ability to extend their local community franchise to the Internet.

My point is that a great deal - perhaps the largest portion - of the current malaise of democracy in the USA can be laid directly at the feet of mainstream media, as well as the dominating social media outlets.

Until we can break up these monopolies and return control of local news and opinion to local outlets (broadcast, print, and online), the foundations of our democracy will remain under attack.

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Thank you, Dan, for a reasoned view of the abysmal state of Congressional inaction.

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First, I apologize I'm not the best writer. Great at math as I applied to economics, supply and demand. Thus also follow Federal Reserve and our banking system. Funny thing was it was a lot easier before computers oddly.

Point, I'm asking for mines that are greater than mine, to help write something AND GET FUNDING to go on the ballot on the federal level, by 2022 election. Mandate if you will, guarantee all states have pros and cons and in a clear explanation to what you're voting for on the state level, County on down the city. MOST TOO and as I read here, a more BRIEF Clear What Peoples` representative voted for or NOT. Running for re-election. I LIKE to TITLE IT, "You're only as good as your word- Bill."

It will take alot of funding to get something like this on National level to the be voted on a popular vote. Can this be done???? More Simplifying, For two household incomeS, where is the time to keep up.

Add, To run Ads on National TV, to what this is and WHY!

NOTE to polls, Back in Obama administration when approval ratings for Congress was run about 9%. "Remember That" But when asked how do you feel about your personal representative approval rating. Polls showed over 70%-75+Approval.

HERE a Question, as to Polls, for National level, ANYONE think we could get 70% plus to Support or believe in the USA Constitution? POINT to those That dont believe in it, We Lose it "We the People" dont have a leg to stand on. It will come Mayhem time

It`s US, "We the People", that is At Fault here, For NOT holding them accountable. Many or useing the word coup now as to J6. I think word Treason should start circulating around.

As to J6, when and at time happening, My first thought was,,, does these people know you are attacking " and "The Only" institution of our government is able to declare war. To write "Declaration of War". I`ll bet if they MAGA was polled then,,,, They would have said Trump is or only one to have that power.

It was stated in pass to me HERE AND YES, YES there is Very Smart people, that also, NOW Support this. "The Big Lie" WHY?

Again WHY.

I AM asking for help, Idea`s as to ACTION vs Discussion. But it has to be Simplified. J6, Trump ASked and Told his supporters, You got to Fight. WELL?, again WELL, Tool is now Educate and Clarity. Draw a Line Time. And ,, Give me the difference to what Benedict Arnold did versus what's going on now????

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This post sums up the concerns so many of us have with media and the disfunction of federal legislators who believe obstruction serves their constituents. The Democratic Party has been doing all of the heavy lifting to address the needs of the country. We even have our own resident liberals and conservatives to balance it all out. President Biden should take credit for bringing Republicans to the table to pass this Infrastructure Bill. He is truly committed to uniting the country in this dangerously fractious time.

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Nov 8, 2021Liked by Elliot Kirschner

Thanks, Dan! I’ve yet to be disappointed with your assessment of what’s going on in our world. Here’s hoping those in Congress and the media can get the message you’re sharing.

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Whether on purpose or getting the news is just how reporting works today the media is NEWSPEAK. Take time to read 1984. Instead of Big Brother the enemy is Corporate. The media have dumb down information because of personal beliefs, political beliefs or they have been instructed by their corporate handlers to get Biden/ Democrats. Simple words used to tell a complicated story. Pictures used to show whoever in a negative light. Read the newspeak & you would think the Democrats have already lost the election in 22 & 24.

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A sad commentary today...yet, unfortunately a true one. Thank you for a thoughtful and thorough essay, Mr. Rather, in which you, unlike many in the House and Senate and media, offer solutions.

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Congress needs to work - a double entendre. I learned in 2020 that government needs to function - a lesson from the pandemic. And our representatives need to go to work -- my senators disappeared during the pandemic; one was continuously "exposed" and heading into isolation and the other disappeared until it was time for the vaccination when he jumped the line because he believed he was an essential worker. Both are extremely vocal about the waste of money in the infrastructure plan and both will be taking credit for any of its successes. I wish Biden would take the position if your senator didn't vote for the plan, your state does not get it.

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As Remembrance Day Nov 11 approaches, I am thinking about the men and women in my family and yours, dear readers, who sacrificed so much bringing the WW2 to an end, and I am appalled at the direction America has chosen to move in over the past five years. No one would have ever thought that the Congress building would be attacked by Americans, and that a president in power encouraged it. This November 11 and for many years to come, I am certain, will be different from any in my lifetime. I reflect on the thirties when Hitler came to power even though few thought that was possible. American democracy is in great distress and beneath the thin ice the water is deep and cold and black. May God be with us all.

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Nov 8, 2021Liked by Elliot Kirschner

Wow! Impressive points you have made!

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Excellent article. Excellent.

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