This morning as I was driving around I listened to an interesting conversation on “Media Matters Radio” regarding the outrageous, and outright LYING of Bill O’Reilly which has been in the “news” for the past week or so – following O’Reilly’s condescending remarks toward the now disgraced Brian Williams due to Williams’ lies being exposed.  Much of what I heard revolved around the different responses to their “lead” anchors being caught in outright lies between NBC news and Fox “news.”  And, I “get” the need for the conversation and the outrage (which, for me has been ongoing without this exposure) toward Fox as they scurry around trying to “paper over” the FACT that these O’Reilly lies have been brought into the “light of day.”

What I didn’t hear in the discussion (I only was able to listen to about 30 minutes of it) was a reference to the Fox “mantra” of following – pretty much to a tee – the Joseph Goebbels “Big Lie Theory” which was the propaganda scheme used during the rise of the Third Reich in Germany during the 1930’s.  O’Reilly, and the rest of the “journalists” on Fox “news,” lie all the time.  The station (which SHOULD be named “GOP TV”) is the brainchild of Roger Ailes – dirty trickster circa Richard Nixon – and, it is an integral part in the right wing movement in America to essentially make our constitution nothing more than a piece of paper.  They’ve been “brainwashing” their audience for decades now and they’ve succeeded in turning good working Americans against each other through their constant promotion of divisiveness and HATE.  The other day I managed to watch for a few minutes (here and there) to discover the day’s “key derogatory term” and it was “liberal this” and “liberal that” constantly on a day when they were attempting to defend the right wing of Congress for threatening to shut down Homeland Security over the immigration issue – and, the President’s action in the face of their inaction.  (I also think they were defending O’Reilly on that particular day – hence the attack on “liberals” – as if only liberals would challenge him)

This CRAP has been going on for years and it will continue to be a blight on this nation until  “we the people” wake up to the FACT we are being subjected to a CONSTANT barrage of lies that are intended to do exactly what they’re doing – pit one good American against another.  Liberal v (true) conservative.  (And, if you don’t “get” the parentheses around “true” read some of my previous posts – I, in NO WAY, consider the leaders of the republican party “true” conservatives.  In my mind, they are greedy, racist, selfish, wackos who have gained POWER due to the unlimited funding of the “invisible” group of benefactors [I usually call them “puppet masters”] which are now publicly identified as the “Koch Brothers” and their network)

I have some really good friends who are smart and good people who are not able to see what has happened to their republican party.  They’ve been lifelong members (or supporters) and they continue to believe that people like O’Reilly and Sean Hannity are telling them the truth.  When I give them factual support of my positions (during out political dialogue – and, by the way, despite the fact we don’t see things the same, we can have great and productive discussions) their response is never about the facts, it’s always about the messenger.  (And, I’ve learned, you can find a lot of stuff about people on the internet :o)  That is the “strategy” that has been put forth by the republican party since the days before Ronald Reagan.  It’s all based on personal attacks – and, unfortunately, the TRUTH is not one of the requirements in these attacks.  I still remember the “Willy Horton” adds coming from the campaign of the first President Bush and, of course, his son did him one better with the “Swift Boating” of John Kerry in 2004.  Unfortunately, this stuff is very effective.

While I think it’s great that this discussion of Bill O’Reilly’s integrity (or lack of integrity) is in the forefront of the present “news” cycle, I wish it would lead to the necessity of the bigger discussion regarding the propaganda scheme the republicans have been using since the days of Reagan.  I don’t believe O’Reilly’s going anywhere – Fox will not “suspend” him as NBC did to Williams (I hope I’m wrong – but, certainly don’t expect to be) just like Clear Channel does nothing to stop Rush Limbaugh who’s been spewing LIES and HATE for the last 30 years.  Make no mistake about this – O’Reilly, Limbaugh, Hannity, and the many others who are willing to say whatever they’re told to say by the people with all the money – these people are an integral part in the so-called “permanent republican majority” that is the “dream” of Karl Rove, the Koch Brothers, and others who want America to be a fascist oligarchy (ie – a corporate/government partnership).  People like O’Reilly make these outrageous public comments that do not even resemble the TRUTH because they are so used to LYING that they get to the point where they actually believe their own lies.  (see the reference below to pathological lying) Therefore, they can look you in the face and defend themselves.

For example, although I haven’t listened to O’Reilly lately, it would not surprise me if he’s actually defending himself to this day.  One of the LIES, as I heard it this morning, related to O’Reilly claiming he saved a cameraman “with bullets flying by their heads” during the Falklands War off the coast of Argentina in the 1980’s.  He wasn’t in the Falklands and the only thing I’ve read he’s famous for during that time is being sent home by his employer (CBS news) for endangering his cameraman by insisting the cameraman turn on the lights of his camera against the company directive – for the cameraman’s safety! He also has claimed he was “outside the door” when George de Mohrenschildt (CIA operative who befriended Lee Harvey Oswald) killed himself.  He wrote this in his book and claimed it on the air – However, O’Reilly was in Dallas Texas at the time of the suicide.  If you read the book “Family of Secrets” (about the Bush clan and their connections to the CIA – among other information) there’s no mention of O’Reilly being at the residence at the time of de Mohrenschildt’s alleged suicide  in this book – which tells more about de Mohrenschildt than any other source I’ve read.  Honestly, I believe if one were to parse and research an untold number of comments coming from O’Reilly this LYING would not be surprising – or unusual.  And, I’m guessing that his (and Roger Ailes) defense against those who believe he should face accountability – especially since he, himself, suggested such in regards to Williams, will be that he’s being attacked by “liberals.”

So, back to my main point.  I really wish this would lead to the discussion that seems to me to be the one that is necessary.  What is the agenda of Fox “news.”  Obviously, at least in my view, they are not a “news” outlet.  They are the chief arm of the GOP propaganda “machine” that has been brainwashing unsuspecting Americans since the days of Ronald Reagan.  As I remember it, Limbaugh came on the scene somewhere during the middle of Reagan’s administration (my initial turnoff to him was when he compared himself to God) and Fox wasn’t far behind.  They’ve succeeded in turning the word “liberal” into something with a negative connotation with many of their viewers/listeners and they’ve succeeded in turning good Americans against each other over “wedge issues” that are irrelevant to most people’s daily lives.  And, they’ve played an integral part in allowing people like Karl Rove, Charles and David Koch, Ailes, and others to push a right wing agenda that actually turns people against the government that they, themselves, desperately want to have COMPLETE control over.

If you really believe America is not susceptible to a fascist regime – look beyond the surface of what’s going on in today’s politics.  And, if you believe, as republicans would have you, that it is the democrats who are the problem – look up the phrase “political projection” – the republican operatives are expert at this AND they have used the “Big Lie Theory” to expertly subvert the minds of many good well meaning Americans plus (and expertly, I might add – they are very good at this) a majority of state governments and they’ve got their sights set squarely on the White House in 2016 (to go along with their control of the courts, the Congress, and the so-called “liberal media”).  With the help of “Citizens United,” the gutting of the voting rights act, UNLIMITED funding, and other covert strategies (along with democratic ineptitude) – they just might succeed.  And, for those of us who don’t believe “liberal” is a dirty word, the consequences could be catastrophic.  These people have even convinced their base that it’s “liberals” who are threatening their constitutional rights – they truly believe the “end justifies the means,” and their goal is a stranglehold on the major institutions in America.  I’ll finish by saying again, Bill O’Reilly’s lies are nothing new, let’s discuss the “Big Lie Theory” that is the driving force behind Fox “news.” (GOP TV)  Lets discuss the TRUTH about what a corporate/government partnership really is.

Facts about pathological liars: Pathological liars often confuse truth and falsehoods and, during a structured interview, are inconsistent in their responses. Pathological liars may believe their lies are the truth. Pathological liars are intelligent, manipulative and may be self-centered. It is unknown if pathological lying is controllable by the individual. It is possible that a pathological liar may believe his lies to the point that he is delusional.

I guess I continue listening to MSNBC as I drive around (on my Sirious XM car radio) because I keep hoping that at some point there will be a journalistic push to actually “tell it like it is.”  Of course, I end up listening to Chris Matthews (I’ve written before about this frustration) and, while I don’t end up (most of the time) shutting it off like I have to do with the right wing “talkers,” the frustration is almost worse because I believe Matthews “knows better.”  People like Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity or, to a lessor degree, people like Lars Larsen are simply “pimping” for the “invisible” (not so much anymore with the “outing” of Charles and David Koch) “puppet masters” who dictate what they are going to say.  Matthews, on the other hand, in my mind is simply more focused on entertainment than real information – thereby playing into the hands of those on the “right” who will spend BILLIONS in 2016 to complete what Karl Rove calls the “permanent republican ‘majority.'”

Most people I know – even if they’re “ditto heads” have some idea of the motivation of Limbaugh and the other right wing “shock jocks.”  The effect of Matthews (and people like him – who are considered on the “left” by many) is much more surreptitious.  For example, today on my way home from whatever I was doing I tuned into “Hardball” – the MSNBC program that Matthews has which is right in prime time in the East.  Of course, the first thing he was ranting about (as he’s often to do) was ISIL and questioning why we can’t simply exterminate them.  (I always get the “hint” he thinks Obama should simply bomb them to “smithereens” as if that would be easy to do) Then, what really set me off today, was the ensuing discussion about the “front runners” for the 2016 republican presidential nomination.  According to Matthews that would be Jeb Bush and Scott Walker.  He may or may not be correct on that “front,” but what caught my attention – and, confirms things I’ve “alleged” about Matthews in the past – was his contention that he wants a “contested” presidential race in 2016.  I take that – and as I listen to him I believe he’ll work toward that end – as him wanting something that brings an audience to his program with little regard to the consequences of what happens to America if Rove’s “dream” comes true.  (I also gathered, by his lack of discussion regarding Walker, that his “pick” to make 2016 a “contest” is Jeb Bush – yikes!)

In the past, I’ve written about how Chuck Todd, another of the political “experts” on NBC/MSNBC, allows himself to be used by politicians – seemingly unknowingly.  In Todd’s case, what made it worse for me was his mega-blunder was a boon for Mitch McConnell.  To me, no one who thinks as a progressive should be doing anything but exposing McConnell for all the reasons he should be “disqualified” to be a U.S. Senator instead of helping him in his re-election bid.  So today, Matthews started talking about Jeb Bush – with, I’ll give him some credit for a few pointed “questions” Bush will face in the upcoming primary season and campaign should “we the people” be subjected to another Bush in the 2016 election, the hint he wants Bush to be the “man.”  What really bothered me was Matthews left me with the impression that he would be looking to find a strategy to present Bush in a way that would make the election “competitive” – because, that’s what “the people want.”

Well, I’ve got news for Mr. Matthews – I believe there is a growing number of Americans who DON’T want to see Rove’s dream come true.  And, even more who don’t want another Bush.  Let me give you a few reasons:  first, the Supreme Court (which deplorably anointed Jeb’s brother president in 2000) is already on a “collision course” with being the WORST court in American history – ie “Citizens United” (the decision which OVERTURNED 100 years of attempts to keep corporate influence out of politics) along with the McCutcheon decision which further opened the “floodgates” to rich people buying politicians (America’s Congress is ALREADY CORRUPT to the CORE) – plus the GUTTING of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (allowing numerous voter suppression antics by republicans seemingly within days of the decision) just to name a few of their decisions TAILORED for the so-called one percent.  Should republicans “finish the job” (that is control of the Courts, the Congress, the Presidency, and the media) – simply from the standpoint of the Supreme Court – the damage will last for at least another generation!

Then, when you take into consideration that the Koch’s have already PUBLICLY announced their intention to spend UPWARDS of a BILLION dollars to buy the next president, all you have to do is look at their “agenda” to get an idea of what to expect if they pull this off.  For starters, Koch Industries has a “track record” as one of the LARGEST POLLUTERS in America.  Instead of “cleaning up their act” their solution to the “problem” is to eliminate the EPA.  If you’re as old as I am you remember that the EPA came into existence during the term of Richard Nixon (one of the main reasons why “conservatives” hated him) and it has helped to “clean up” major portions of America.  Nixon would be a liberal compared to these people!  I still remember, as a child back in the late 1950’s, being driven across country by my parents and driving through a town in Indiana where there were signs next to a river which said “don’t throw burning material into the river, it will catch on fire.”  While we have a long way to go in cleaning up our environment, I believe it can be said we’ve come a long way since those days.  The Kochs want to “turn back the clock” and get rid of the EPA.

The Koch’s (and their supporters) are at the head of the list of “climate change” deniers – and, it won’t take many presidential terms with people following their lead to get us dangerously close to (or past) the “point of no return” in relation to our need to reduce the effect of fossil fuels on our atmosphere.  Read Naomi Klein’s “This Changes Everything” if you need a bit more input on this subject.

Then there is the New Deal – or, I should say, what is still left of it.  The Koch’s, and the people who they are affiliated with, HATE  the New Deal – they’ve been ranting against it since the days of FDR (well, now we’re talking about Charles and David’s Dad – and those who formed the John Birch Society back during the Eisenhower years – they actually referred to Eisenhower as a “communist sympathizer”).  They’ve managed to “chip away” at many of the breakthroughs of the New Deal and winning the White House in 2016 could very well “finish the job.”

These people are so far to the “right” that they managed only one percent of the vote when David Koch ran against Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election. (he ran as the VP candidate on the Libertarian “ticket”)  And, if you’ve been paying attention – their philosophy is that if they are supporting you (ie Senator or Representative in the House) you will vote with their interests EVERY time!  My representative is a young lady (who I pretty much disagree with, but I like and respect) who is a republican and she voted against the “flow” on either 5 or 6 votes (meaning she has a something resembling a conscience) out of over 500 votes and the local GOP is in the process of CENSURING her!  You read that correctly, 5 or 6 votes out of OVER 500 with democrats and she’ll probably get “primaried” in the next election come 2016.  (I was talking to a Christian friend of mine the other day and he looked a bit disbelieving when I mentioned the term fascism in relation to the Kochs and their agenda, but they act like tyrants!)

The Koch forces started off the new legislative session by showing their allegiance to Charles and David for all the money the two brothers have “invested” in our “tea party” run Congress.  This should be a HUGE “wake-up call” to all “progressive” Americans – but, with people like Matthews in position to be the voice – it more than likely “aint gonna happen!”  The republicans started the session by going after Social Security (trust me, they HATE Social Security) – and, they did it in the typical “MEAN SPIRITED” way republicans do things these days – with complete contempt for what Jesus Christ referred to as “the least of these.”  The republicans are attempting (and may succeed) to CUT the benefits of disabled recipients of Social Security benefits by 20% – and, in the process, apparently trying to pit disabled Americans against elderly Americans (the category I happen to fall into).  With the exception of actual Social Security support groups (Social Security Works, etc.) and the likes of LIBERAL Congressional members like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren (along with a few others) taking up the fight, you would hardly know this is happening.  People like Matthews are more interested in manipulating a “contest” for 2016 – than “fighting the good fight.”

Then there’s the Keystone XL pipeline – a pipeline that will cross America’s heartland, intersecting about 110 miles of the Ogalalla aquifer, and deliver MILLIONS of barrels of the DIRTIEST oil on the planet (the tar sands oil that originates in Alberta Canada) to refineries in Texas from which the oil will be shipped to China, India, and other countries around the world – but, with virtually none of the oil intended for America.  The Kochs stand to profit in excess of $100 MILLION from this pipeline and “we the people” will be left to clean up the mess – which is a byproduct that is apparently dirtier than the oil itself.  The enduring value of this pipeline in terms of permanent jobs (republicans are calling it a Jobs bill – of course, it’s the FIRST “jobs bill” since the Tea Party took over the House in 2010) will be around 35 to 40 PERMANENT jobs.  All this to create mountains of pollution around the Texas refineries and THREATEN the water supply of untold MILLIONS of Americans from South Dakota to Texas itself.  The very FACT this is one of the first bills of this Congress shows how deep the CORRUPTION of our Congress really is – yet, people like Matthews give us hardly a whimper on the subject.  It’s more important to him that we have a “contested” election two years from now – when the reality is that until this version of the republican party is put away into the history books America will continue the steady decline she’s been on since the Reagan Administration gave us “trickle down” economics and anti-government fervor.

Finally, Matthews was struggling to accept that the ISIL crisis that he so often rants about is a direct result of the Bush/Cheney administration.  While he kind of brought up the question of how will Jeb confront the issue of his brother he certainly didn’t take the same tact that his buddy Chuck Todd took with McConnell’s opponent in the Kentucky Senatorial election – declaring her “disqualified” because she didn’t want to disclose who she voted for (obviously, the McConnell forces were attempting to get a sound bite with her saying she voted for President Obama in a state where Obama is NOT popular).  I don’t expect to hear Matthews (or Todd for that matter) say that Jeb Bush is DISQUALIFIED because he was responsible for the election of his brother by suppressing an untold number of votes in Florida during the 2000 presidential election (by rigging voting machines, hanging chads, etc.) or giving an HONEST appraisal of the HORRIFIC consequences of the Iraq invasion (or the ineptitude of the invasion of Afghanistan) and Jeb’s role in the Project for a New American Century – the group which was lobbying for the invasion before Bush/Cheney took the oath of office.  That might minimize the chances of a “contest” in 2016, because even Matthews understands the rest of the republican “hopefuls” are kind of like a circus sideshow!

I could go on and on about my frustration with people like Chris Matthews (and other journalists who should “know better” – and, I realize maybe the problem is that I’m attempting [or hoping] people like Matthews would act as journalists) who seem to be OK with the republicans completing their goal of what would be generously called an oligarchy and could harshly be called a Mussolini type fascist government (that is – a corporate/government partnership) if it raises ratings for their shows.  Instead of acting like the “muck rakers” of the early 20th century – who were responsible for uncovering what was ostensibly a similar “partnership” as the Koch’s and their “ilk” are pursuing – we are stuck with people who want to see a “contest” with no regard to the potential consequences.  Fox “news” has succeeded in imbedding the “concept” of “fair and balanced” into the “mainstream” of what is transported across the airwaves (While, being the engine for the GOP propaganda “machine”) as “news” and, in the process, has turned the focus of American journalism away from speaking Truth.  In the process, in my view, we’ve ended up with people like Chris Matthews more focused on ratings than on reporting the TRUTH.  The Koch’s have BILLIONS to spend on manipulating the minds of unsuspecting Americans – which they’ll do with an unending barrage of TV adds that have NO relation to the truth – they don’t need people like Chris Matthews helping them succeed!

As I’ve mentioned before on previous posts I’m reading “The Bully Pulpit” by Doris Kearns Goodwin which is focused on the administrations (and lives) of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.  I recommend the book (Goodwin also authored “A Team of Rivals” about the administration of Abraham Lincoln among others).  What’s probably the most interesting about this book are the parallels from the so-called “Gilded Age” or the age of the “Robber Barons” to today’s America.  A couple of my recent posts are focused on the now infamous “Koch Brothers” who seem to be cronies to the likes of JP Morgan and JD Rockefeller and there’s much more in this book that makes the reader think of today’s “current events.”

For example, (I’m getting toward the end of the book) at some point near the end of Roosevelt’s administration and the first year or two of Taft’s administration Congress passed the “Tillman Act” (this was in 1907 toward the end of Roosevelt’s terms in office) and the “Federal Corrupt Practices Act” (this was passed in 1910 during the 2nd year of Taft’s administration) with both pieces of legislation aimed at curbing the influence of corporate money in federal elections and creating limits and disclosure on contributions.  What is so interesting to me is, as I look back on American politics since the Supreme Court appointed GW Bush as president in 2000, watching the roll back of reforms (such as these two) by the right wing “machine” that has flourished since 9/11.  This movement initially gained serious momentum and has progressively evolved in America since the election of Ronald Reagan.  In essence, the Bush appointees to the Supreme Court – Chief Justice Roberts and Judge Samuel Alito – were the driving force behind “Citizens United” – the Supreme Court decision (debacle) which overturned the Roosevelt and Taft accomplishments (along with another 100 years of Congress trying to regulate money in politics).  Click HERE if you’d like to read more about these two laws (well, former laws :o(

The ultimate irony here is that these laws were designed to prevent EXACTLY what is presently transpiring in America – and, that is a corporate/government partnership.  (The definition, ultimately for this “partnership” – over time – becomes fascism)  If you’ve been paying any kind of attention to the past few election cycles in America you can see the incredible influence of the money now being thrown at political leaders by the “boatload.”  Just last week it was announced that the Kochs (and their brethren) are planning to spend $900 MILLION to buy (and “own”) the next President.  And, if you think I’m kidding, just look at the obvious evidence from the 2014 mid term elections.  Republicans gained control of both houses of Congress and, wouldn’t you know it, the FIRST item on their agenda was to repay the Koch’s by passing a bill authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline.  And, to the dismay of many “liberals” like me, our so-called “liberal media” didn’t seem to notice the obscene connection.  I mean, this is the MOST obvious form of political payback – BLATANT – that I can imagine.  I mentioned the other day that I wasn’t surprised to hear Joni Ernst – one of the “Tea Party” beneficiaries of mounds of Koch money which even she admitted made her candidacy possible – when giving the response (? – it didn’t seem like a “response” to me) to President Obama’s State of the Union Address making a pitch for the Keystone pipeline instead of talking about ALL the other issues facing Americans.  The Keystone pipeline will not benefit more than a few Americans, it is a MAJOR threat to our environment, and ALL the oil (and dirty byproducts) will be shipped abroad (everything goes overseas but the pollution associated with gathering and refining the tar sands).

These politicians who will follow the wishes of the “puppet masters” are, to me, nothing more than political prostitutes.  And, as I’ve mentioned before many times on this site, I feel the same way about a large percentage of people who come off implying to the American public that they are journalists.  I’m not talking about the radio talk hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, and lessor characters like Lars Larsen – because they’re more like entertainers.  However, they’re doing the same thing – they’re SAYING things they are told to say by the puppet masters, whoever they are, for the money.  They are part of the Goebbels like propaganda scheme that’s been republican policy for over 30 years (and, obviously, it’s working)  I’m really talking about people like the Sean Hannity’s and Bill O’Reilly’s who work for a network that calls itself a “news” network.  If you haven’t figured this out yet, Fox “news” should be called “GOP news.”  Unfortunately, I know way too many adults who actually believe they get “fair and balanced” information from Fox.  They are almost impossible to dialogue with because the false information has been DRILLED into their brains by this effective propaganda scheme –  a “scheme” that also seems to avoid the “eye” of others in the “mainstream” media.  This is what earlier politicians (FDR and JFK) were warning us about when they cautioned us about the “war” from within.  (Now that I’ve said this, I have to admit that I rarely watch any network “news” anymore – because, it almost always turns out to be “tainted” – no matter where it comes from –  although I do like Al Sharpton).

These “news” people, or pundits, or actors (like Hannity and O’Reilly) are allowing (I should probably say “helping”) the corporate assault on America that is threatening the very foundation of our republic.  They are all about the money.  And, they’re obviously valuable to their sources because they’re getting a lot of money!  I read somewhere a couple years ago that Limbaugh was making $400 MILLION per year – yikes!  That considering there’s a HUGE abandonment of his show by major sponsors due to his repeatedly making racist and/or misogynist comments, not to mention all the “pants on fire” lies he’s been held to account for over the years.  So, what does that tell us?  Well, to me it says that Limbaugh keeping his “ditto heads” in line is worth it to whomever is giving him access to so many major channels in America – so, they’ll pay the “freight” whether he’s got corporate sponsors or not.  He’s said stuff WAY MORE offensive than Don Imus did when Imus was essentially removed from the airwaves – but, Limbaugh is keeping a large audience in line – voting right wing republican no matter what those right wing policies do to his audience.  The audiences of Limbaugh and Fox “news” are reported to be the most misinformed Americans!

So, we’ve got corrupted politicians doing the bidding of their corporate benefactors and a media that is more interested in ratings than true investigative journalism and the result is people like Charles and David Koch are being very successful in their attempt to take us (America) back to the Gilded Age.  What’s the scariest to me in all of this is that the two “bastions” that “we the people” would want to be able to count on to give us a defense against this corporate overreach would be the Courts and the media.  Well, the Supreme Court has shown clearly where it stands with “Citizens United” and, more recently, the “McCutcheon” decision which helped to open the “spigot” of money wealthy Americans are willing to spend to buy our political leaders even wider.  Additionally, the Court GUTTED the 1965 Voting Rights Act – by some accounts enabling right wing governors (and Secretary’s of State) across the nation to impose voting suppression laws that will disenfranchise 5 MILLION plus voters – and, I’ll give you three guesses (and the first two don’t count) who most of those voters would be voting for. (or what color their skin is – a quick addendum here – I HIGHLY recommend the movie “Selma” if you’re interested in getting a better view of what the Court did in gutting section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act)  You can count on this court favoring corporate interests at the expense of “the least of these” (in the words of Jesus Christ) for the foreseeable future. (Roberts and Alito will be there for MANY years to come! ugh!!!)

In “The Bully Pulpit” the role of investigative reporting is made very clear.  Much of the “progressive” agenda that Roosevelt (and Taft) was able to enact was the result of the public being “informed” about the TRUE dealings with, what at the time was called, the “trusts.”  Others referred to the political powers as the “machine” – does that remind you of anything?  Today we’ve got the “too big to fail (or jail)” banks in Wall Street that control a massive amount of America’s wealth, less than 1% of the American public owning a HUGE majority of the nation’s assets, people (and groups) that are focused on their self-interest (like the Koch’s, the Walton’s, numerous multinational corporations, etc.) “investing” in our politicians, too many politicians willing to accept the “investment,” and a media that seems intent on “looking the other way.”  EVERYONE I know who has any interest in politics is sickened by the OBVIOUS level of CORRUPTION in our nation’s capital.  Yet “we the people” are feeling less and less able to do ANYTHING about this – explaining why 63% of Americans boycotted the last election.

When the “liberals” in the broadcast media are people like Chris Matthews and Chuck Todd – well, to me, it’s kind of depressing.  (I’m getting pretty old, I know things will turn at some point, I’m just hoping to be able to witness it when it happens)  Todd is the one who bothers me the most.  Over the times I’ve watched him he seems to come off as if he believes himself to be an expert political observer.  To me, Chuck Todd is the perfect “pigeon” for those on the “right” attempting to manipulate the media.  I focus on Todd because I thought he played a significant role in helping republicans gain control of the Senate in the 2014 election – even to the point where he allowed himself to be part of Mitch McConnell’s campaign attack on McConnell’s opponent.  Todd characterized McConnell’s opponent as “unqualified” because she wouldn’t share her vote in the previous Presidential election (you know, the vote that is supposed to be on a “secret ballot”) yet he FAILED to mention the MYRIAD reasons why it was ACTUALLY McConnell who should have been unqualified.  I don’t know if people like Todd are afraid of powerful “leaders” coming after them or simply LAZY in their reporting.  But, to me, his actions make him “unqualified” to be a “moderator” on national TV.

I’ve written a few posts about Matthews – who knows better – but, can’t seem to resist “lifting up” republican wacko’s with the idea that it will make for interesting “Hardball” episodes.  Not evidently understanding the damage this nation will endure if one happens to succeed with the help of the BILLIONS that will be spent convincing America that the republican “wacko” is “for the people” and reporters who fail to REPORT the TRUTH about his/her candidacy.  (for example, no one seemingly wants to use the term “racist” in regard to why republicans continue their HATE barrage against Barack Obama whose administration has led to massive income for many of their benefactors – like the Koch’s who’ve gained BILLIONS during Obama’s terms in office – these attacks seemingly being limitless and needing no factual basis)  I still remember one of Matthews’ “shoot from the hip” rants, essentially lambasting President Obama, at the beginning of the Ebola “crisis.”  Of course, as it turns out, our president was ahead of EVERYONE else. He made thoughtful, calculated decisions that have gone a long way in helping to curb the outbreak, and yet I haven’t heard ONE PERSON who attacked him, admit that they were wrong and he was right.  Unfortunately, that’s the way our system works!  And, Matthews ends up as a tool of the Obama “haters” every time he thoughtlessly makes a “gut reaction” to a “crisis.”  He did this during the VA “crisis” – insisting that someone be blamed (not mentioning – or researching – the culpability of a Congress which refuses to fund the VA) and essentially challenging Obama’s leadership – with the result being General Shinseki (a great friend of Veterans) being forced to resign and – still today – a crisis not resolved because the REAL problem (today as then) is a Congress that says with their mouths “support our troops” and then with the “purse string” says “FU” to our troops – by underfunding VA Hospitals and medical staffing.  Evidently, issues like this are only “interesting” to people like Matthews when Fox or their ilk feel as if they can use them to attack the President.

In my view, what we need is another Roosevelt type president – and, I don’t see one on the horizon without a change in our “fourth estate” – the media.  Theodore Roosevelt gained prominence with the help of media reporters who were willing to “uncover” the damage being done to the average Americans by the greedy corporate “masters” at the turn of the 19th Century into the 20th.  In 21st Century America we seem to be reliving a similar scenario, but this time, the “masters” have apparently studied HISTORY more thoroughly than the progressives – and, if “we the people” don’t get a wake up call before 2016’s election, the damage could last well into this century.  The America that we leave to our children and grandchildren won’t resemble what our parents and grandparents fought so hard to leave to us! (I’m speaking from the perspective of a “baby boomer”)