I was driving home the other day listening to MSNBC on my satellite radio when there was a discussion (one of many) about the candidacy of Donald Trump.  Of course, EVERYONE seems to be trying to predict when Trump will finally self-destruct, but, in this instance, they were referring to Trump’s on again off again “feud” with Fox “news.”  What struck me was the comment made by Michael Steele (former republican chairman, now a pundit on MSNBC) referring to his claim that Fox is in the business of “creating news” (a comment I wholeheartedly agree with) followed by the half statement that went something like “we all are in the business of crea…….” at which point he collected himself and rephrased whatever he was going to say.  My point is that Steele came as close as anyone I’ve listened to who is involved in our “news” to saying what many of us believe to be the truth.  They are in the business of creating news and not reporting news.

This is not much different from the recent comments of Kevin McCarthy,  who was the presumptive “heir apparent” to John Boehner as Speaker of the House but can’t get past “the tea party,” as he admitted (what any sane person who pays attention to American politics already knew) that the “endless” Benghazi hearings have succeeded in bringing down Hillary Clinton’s poll numbers.  Of course, the hearings are “disguised” to be some kind of “investigation” of a tragedy that the republican house members just can’t get enough of.  You have to wonder, what will they think of next when faced with the potential reality that “we the people” prefer Bernie Sanders to Secretary Clinton.  Put on your seat belts for all the “socialist” comments along with the socialism FEAR mongering.

Somehow, against my will – but due to my technological ignorance, I installed a program that I can’t figure out how to get off of my computer that opens up to “news” coming from Fox “news.”  So, every time I open an internet browser on my computer I’m reminded that today’s “news” media is more about creating news than reporting it.  It’s almost as if the National Enquirer has morphed into being “mainstream” media.  And, those involved are finding more and more ways to intrude on the privacy of “we the people.” (I finally figured out how to remove the “Fox” intrusion off of my computer)

I’m pointing this all out (again) because I almost get sick to my stomach when I choose to watch (or listen) to what is considered the “mainstream media.”  Actually, at one point, I thought MSNBC would provide a “counter balance” to Fox and those who are their “minions,” but the reality is that the cable news business is a business first and news organization – well, I want to say “later,” but I even have a hard time typing that word.  MSNBC is purging those who would be “liberal” from their ranks, the “talk radio” world is and has been controlled by the right wing for decades (example: After Mitt Romney’s defeat in 2012 Clear Channel – owned by Bain Capital – Romney’s company – shuttered the local “liberal” talk station for a Fox “sports” station that generated about 1/8th the listener-ship).  MSNBC recently (I think, I’ve actually stopped listening for the most part) replaced Ed Schultz with Chuck Todd – the same guy who allowed himself to be totally “played” by Mitch McConnell in the last election.  These people are so obsessed with being “fair and balanced” that they are constantly “played” by political operatives who “get” that the worst thing that happens when they lie is a few “Pinocchio’s” from website fact checkers.  The “news” won’t call them out for fear of being labeled “biased.”

Tonight, after the first democratic debate I couldn’t help myself from tuning into MSNBC to hear the comments and there was Chris Matthews essentially blasting Bernie Sanders and promoting Hillary Clinton – of course, while sitting in his pundits chair right along side Clinton’s campaign manager. Do these people (like Matthews) just assume that “we the people” are so stupid we won’t notice the impropriety of this type of “reporting?”  Honestly, I hope others in more significant places than me noticed this and actually report it.  How can someone give an unbiased view of a debate when pandering to the manager of one of the “combatants?”  Clearly, those in places to matter will be doing what they can to prevent Sanders from gaining the nomination.  I’m sure that Matthews believes Bernie is unelectable, but that does not excuse this clear conflict of interest.

In the debate, Sanders was correct in saying we need a “revolution” of people who are educated to what is ACTUALLY happening in this nation which is allowing a select few to continue a MASSIVE redistribution of our nation’s wealth from the middle class to the so-called 1% at the top.  I’m sure people will line up to twist his use of that word (revolution) in such a way as to scare voters who are unfamiliar with him from considering his message.  For those of us who believe in the New Deal of FDR and what it did to create the greatest middle class in the history of the world Bernie Sanders is a refreshing voice.  I’m sure those who “create the news” will do everything they can to ensure Sanders is a “flash in the pan.”

On a related note, today I read that Rupert Murdoch has succeeded in purchasing the National Geographic magazine (and what goes with it).  Most people won’t even notice – but, this is another step in the process of the right wing’s propaganda scheme to continue the bludgeoning of our middle class – in this instance, at the expense of the fight against “climate change.” It won’t be long and you won’t hear a whimper from National Geographic in an area where they’ve been one of the loudest voices.  That’s how the “golden rule” was explained to me years ago when I was taking an economics class in my early college days:  “Them that have the gold, makes the rules.”

When MSNBC is finally purged of all liberal voices (I suppose Rachel Maddow is next) all that will be left will be a conglomerate owned by Murdoch (he, of course, owns Fox “news,” the Wall Street Journal, and many other “news” outlets) and other right wing zealots (MSNBC, I believe, is owned by GE or Comcast – either way, not good) who deny climate change and encourage “trickle up” economics.  These people will continue sucking the wealth from America’s middle class until there is nothing left to suck – and, then they’ll be off to the Riviera or some other exotic place. (Murdoch, for example, is an Australian and the leading outside stock holder in his Fox “empire” is a Saudi Prince)  While doing so they’ll continue “creating news” so that the minions who’ve “bought” their shtick will go to their economic graves thinking the democrats caused the deficit (and every other bad thing you can think of).  (Have you ever had a political “conversation” with a Fox “news” “expert?”  The best way I can explain it is “enlightening” – and, if you don’t get my drift, I mean that TOTALLY sarcastically)

This assault by those who are busy “creating” the news – in a way that benefits their insatiable desire for more wealth – seems endless.  Yet, a true liberal is gaining momentum.  As I listen to Bernie Sanders, I have a hard time disagreeing with much of what he says.  Of course, there is not a candidate out there who’s going to hit the “spot” on everything – let’s face it – each one of the millions of voters are different as are the candidates – but, his focus on the middle class and working class of people, in my view, is where the government should have their focus.  Yes, we need business, we need entrepreneurs, we need investors, and on and on – but, at this point in time, it is the middle class, the working poor, the infrastructure of our nation, the inner cities, the rural areas which have been isolated by the job loss from globalization, our education system, our health care system, and the list goes on, that needs the focus of our government leaders.  EVERYONE will benefit from addressing these needs.  And, if this has any chance of ever happening, we need our media to return to reporting the news instead of creating it!  What will it take?  Well, on this I also agree with Bernie – it will take a “revolution” of people taking ownership of their privilege to be voters in this great nation and taking the time to educate themselves on the true issues of the day without the brainwashing of Fox “news” and their minions.