stu3@mhuxh.UUCP (Mark Modig) (11/02/84)
In my previous article, I basically said I was not voting either
Democratic or Republican in the Presidential race, and I said why.
Overall, I really feel that neither party really comes close to my
views, and neither do their candidates.
I really feel the media controls the race to a tremendous extent,
far too much. On ABC news the week one night in the week before the
second debate, they covered the campaign. They had a shot of Reagan
visiting a science class at some school. A kid asked a question.
The President couldn't hear him. The kid had to repeat it. The
President began to answer, and we get a cut to... our intrepid
reporter, Sam Donaldson, saying that the President had basically
finished the week except for the Al Smith dinner, and that he
planned to spend the time preparing for the debate, and getting a
lot of rest, closing with a remark to the effect that Reagan really
needed the rest. Then we switch immediately to see about the
challengers, and we see... a clip of Geraldine Ferraro, who says, "I
don't really think age should be an issue, but...", and proceeds to
bring up the topic.
Result: I feel that I am being told that the President is too old. The
film clip hints at it, our reporter does too, and Ferraro hints, and then
goes and slings some mud anyway. Now, Ferraro can say what she wants, but
I really feel like the whole thing was put together purposely. Why that
particular clip of Reagan? Why the emphasis on "rest"? Why that clip of
Ferraro? I feel manipulated. Not that the President isn't too old. I
think age as it pertains to the ability to stand up to the physical rigors
of the job is very important. Just because Reagan is X years old
doesn't mean he's incompetent (he probably is, but not because of
his age), but his overall health should be a consideration,
especially when you look at who takes over if he dies in office.
However, I am not too happy voting for a candidate who stops taking
his blood pressure medication before the debate so he will be "up" for
it, either. I would hate to have to call the White House every morning to
make sure Mr. Mondale took his pill that day. (:-)
Another example. Anyone ever remember the gaffe Ford pulled in his
debate in 1976, when he claimed that Poland and Eastern Europe were
not under Soviet control, etc, etc. The media crucified him for that
one, but I read in the New York Times a few weeks back that most people
at that time did not realize what had been said until the media
built it up.
Overall, this whole mess that is a presidential campaign in America
really brings home three things to me:
(1) There really does not seem to be a party for moderates in this
country at present. I think we need one that will give people who
are moderates a voice. Too bad things are set up to perpetuate the
two (rather than multi) party system.
(2) The debates are a shambles. In the last one, both candidates
consistently dodged the questions and pushed their own pre-selected
package of themes instead.
(3) The media, with its polls, focus on sensationalism, and
shallow, often biased coverage, control the minds and hearts of far
too many Americans, who make their choices based on all the wrong things
("I'm voting for Ferraro because she's a woman"; "I think Reagan
just sounds good").
It also points out just how divided we are as a nation, and how
much, I think, the "Me generation" philosophy has penetrated our
psyche:
We want more oil, coal, or even nuclear plants, but don't
put the facilities in my backyard. Yes, we need a new dump or
airport, but somewhere else, not here.
Or how about: I'm voting for so and so because of his stand on :
<pick one>
abortion
ERA
civil rights
womens issues
the environment
the arms race
education
the deficit
defense
etc...
because that's the only issue I am concerned about.
Granted, this isn't always true, but I see it both thru the media
and just talking to people, whether at work, or on the street, or at
rallies. Some people are more rabid proponents or opponents than
others, but the amount of one-issue decisions I see is both puzzling
and frightening.
What to do? I don't know. Is there really a problem, or is it just me?
Comments????
Mark Modig
..ihnp4!btlunix!mom