American political commentary is endlessly fascinating. It can also be irritating, depressing, and exhausting, depending on how much emotion the audience invests in the experience. It is informative but can also be misleading. No matter what the venue, a responsible citizen should seek to establish the truth behind what is said or written. This, of course, is easier said than done.
Today American is a divided country, where people feel that representatives are unresponsive, that government is sold out to forces that work behind the scenes, and that the country is going in the wrong direction. What that direction should be is a topic for sharp disagreement and spirited debate. Unfortunately, whenever vast amounts of money are at stake, there will be those who buy, sell, and distort public opinion, truth, and reality.
Talk show hosts can become very influential, with growing numbers of followers as well as critics. News anchors and newspaper columnists also attain prominence as their opinions are read and analyzed. Private people become confused by the complexity of the issues, a problem that’s not helped by the complicated riders that are tacked on to every bill that comes before the House and Senate.
The mainstream media seizes on every mistake made by conservative politicians while virtually ignoring – at least in the headlines – what many see as serious problems in the current administration or Congress. Major bills are considered by Congress with little effort being made by anyone to publicize the contents of each bill, while Hollywood celebrities are showcased past the saturation point.
Many conservatives are Christians, with a world view that dictates their politics. Unfortunately, this viewpoint might make no sense whatsoever to others. Christians look to God for guidance and provision, and are notorious all over the world for embracing personal freedom and resisting tyranny. They don’t believe that government should control social issues or that government should decide moral questions.
Stronger frameworks for public policy, like a strict interpretation of the Constitution or a balanced budget amendment, could make deep divisions in our society less likely. However, today it seems that party politics reign supreme, with representatives voting along party lines rather than their own convictions. Many people don’t believe that legislators have the good of the country or the public as their motivation.
Just think about the controversies that rage today in America. Should we support Israel or the Palestinians? Should we give amnesty to illegal aliens? Should we regulate public schools from the federal level or let the states run education? Should we bail out troubled banks and other companies – often regulated by government to an extreme degree – or let them make it on their own? Should we limit free speech and freedom of religion or let people’s consciences guide their actions?
American political commentary is informative, but everyone should remember that it is inevitably biased. This makes it more interesting, of course, since dry, impersonal news is not as dramatic. However, many wish they had access to objective reporting on important topics of the day.
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There’s No Lack Of American Political Commentary
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