02/02/08:Inclusive Debate Essential In Elections-Jean McElhaney
Inclusive Debate Essential In Elections
Wisconsin State Journal :: OPINION :: A7
Saturday, February 2, 2008
I'm saddened and disappointed that both Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards have dropped out of the presidential campaign, even before the Wisconsin primary, because I value having choice and fairness in the democratic process.
Kucinich and Edwards were labeled as marginal from the beginning by the corporate media and pundits. Kucinich, especially, was excluded from debates and received little coverage. Of course he had trouble getting votes when he wasn't even given the opportunity to get his message out.
The media are supposed to inform us, not prophesy who is going to win. I hear speculation on personalities, about squabbles between the campaigns and the polls, but I hear little about the candidates' actual philosophies.
The corporate media have a vested interest in shutting out dissenting voices. For example, GE, owner of NBC, profits from defense contracts and successfully fought to keep Kucinich, a peace candidate, out of a debate.
Whether or not we agree with any particular candidate, it's in the best interest of our democracy to have a lively public discourse where many different perspectives can be explored. We need to be aware of the implications of how and why candidates are dropping out. We need to reform the media and the electoral process.
- Jean McElhaney, Lone Rock
Wisconsin State Journal :: OPINION :: A7
Saturday, February 2, 2008
I'm saddened and disappointed that both Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards have dropped out of the presidential campaign, even before the Wisconsin primary, because I value having choice and fairness in the democratic process.
Kucinich and Edwards were labeled as marginal from the beginning by the corporate media and pundits. Kucinich, especially, was excluded from debates and received little coverage. Of course he had trouble getting votes when he wasn't even given the opportunity to get his message out.
The media are supposed to inform us, not prophesy who is going to win. I hear speculation on personalities, about squabbles between the campaigns and the polls, but I hear little about the candidates' actual philosophies.
The corporate media have a vested interest in shutting out dissenting voices. For example, GE, owner of NBC, profits from defense contracts and successfully fought to keep Kucinich, a peace candidate, out of a debate.
Whether or not we agree with any particular candidate, it's in the best interest of our democracy to have a lively public discourse where many different perspectives can be explored. We need to be aware of the implications of how and why candidates are dropping out. We need to reform the media and the electoral process.
- Jean McElhaney, Lone Rock
Submitted by wnpj on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 3:56pm.