Is America Still America?

[j3374]

This is true and should concern all of us.

Sometimes I turn from Foxnews to another channel to see how the left is covering the story. THEY AREN'T EVEN COVERING THE STORIES.

I asked a liberal buddy of mine what he thought about the IRS targeting conservative groups. He said "I haven't heard about it". He considered himself fairly informed. But the likes of MSNBC chooses not to cover these stories. Instead they find something to cover that fits their narrative of 'old gray haired men are evil.

Have you considered the possibility that neither party is telling the entire story? I've heard from several FOX viewers on this thread so far that claim that the liberal news stations are not covering the whole story. Do you really think that FOX is covering all sides in a "fair and balanced" manner, like it claims to? Are you sure you value objectivity and truth over having your already formed beliefs affirmed over and over again?

Both sides of the story have its own self benefiting narrative and censorship. If you don't try to balance your news from both sides AND include some public or independent sources, you're only getting propaganda.

I don't think this country is what it once was either. In some ways, it needs to change. The world is different than it was when our country was formed. People are more informed and complex. Technology has changed the playing field and the way we do things.

Change is inevitable. In some ways, I think we've made progress. In many ways, we've veered way off course. I hope over time that we'll self correct and take back control over our country. Before we can do this, though, we'll need to address our own accountability issues, I think.

We need to educate ourselves. Not just through college, but pay more attention to what's going on. As a society, we "self medicate" with reality shows, televised sports, video games and shopping. Our forefathers paid attention to what was going on in the world, even though their sources of information was very primitive and slow.

We need to start caring enough to get involved. A few of us care enough that we get fed up and are outraged. Most of us are apathetic and distract ourselves with the above mentioned distractions. When Americans start taking up arms and wanting to form militias to take back control, I always think, "why don't you take other measures that are afforded by our form of government?" Only a minority of us vote. We complain, but don't demonstrate. Private interest groups can have an impact. Heaven forbid we give up our own personal precious time and volunteer to make a difference.

We have to stop fighting each other based on political party ideologies. The more informed we are and learn who to listen to for empirical data, the more we learn what the truth is from the propaganda. It's okay to stay neutral on an issue until we're convinced with solid evidence and thoroughly informed. So many of us get our info from these biased, corporate news sources. We KNOW that money is the source of many of our problems, yet we loyally subscribe to a specific source that gets its power from the same corporate greed. That makes us part of the problem.

[Juced_porkchop]

the answer is HELL no and to be honest I almost dont care much anymore because WE as a country are not run by truth, honesty, and integriety, WE are run by selfish, greedy, power hungry mother Fu$kers that care little about the average person, UNLESS they are looking for a vote to keep them in office.

Nice Thread for a weekend... but thanks for pissing me off hahaha!!!

Bc

I live across the pond so might not have right to say this but... I F ING AGREE!!

[Juced_porkchop]

Have you considered the possibility that neither party is telling the entire story? I've heard from several FOX viewers on this thread so far that claim that the liberal news stations are not covering the whole story. Do you really think that FOX is covering all sides in a "fair and balanced" manner, like it claims to? Are you sure you value objectivity and truth over having your already formed beliefs affirmed over and over again?

Both sides of the story have its own self benefiting narrative and censorship. If you don't try to balance your news from both sides AND include some public or independent sources, you're only getting propaganda.

I don't think this country is what it once was either. In some ways, it needs to change. The world is different than it was when our country was formed. People are more informed and complex. Technology has changed the playing field and the way we do things.

Change is inevitable. In some ways, I think we've made progress. In many ways, we've veered way off course. I hope over time that we'll self correct and take back control over our country. Before we can do this, though, we'll need to address our own accountability issues, I think.

We need to educate ourselves. Not just through college, but pay more attention to what's going on. As a society, we "self medicate" with reality shows, televised sports, video games and shopping. Our forefathers paid attention to what was going on in the world, even though their sources of information was very primitive and slow.

We need to start caring enough to get involved. A few of us care enough that we get fed up and are outraged. Most of us are apathetic and distract ourselves with the above mentioned distractions. When Americans start taking up arms and wanting to form militias to take back control, I always think, "why don't you take other measures that are afforded by our form of government?" Only a minority of us vote. We complain, but don't demonstrate. Private interest groups can have an impact. Heaven forbid we give up our own personal precious time and volunteer to make a difference.

We have to stop fighting each other based on political party ideologies. The more informed we are and learn who to listen to for empirical data, the more we learn what the truth is from the propaganda. It's okay to stay neutral on an issue until we're convinced with solid evidence and thoroughly informed. So many of us get our info from these biased, corporate news sources. We KNOW that money is the source of many of our problems, yet we loyally subscribe to a specific source that gets its power from the same corporate greed. That makes us part of the problem.

Fox news is a joke... I hope everyone knows and sees that...

[lovbyts]

Fox news is a joke... I hope everyone knows and sees that...

Compared to who? They all have an agenda. Some are just more controlled by the party in power than others.

It all depends on what party you lean towards. IMO CNN cbs msnbc is a joke.

[likelifting]

If it wasn't for Foxnews we wouldn't know that the administration lied to us in attempts to get obamacare passed, as an example of Foxnews.

They played video of Gruber saying the American voter is stupid. It wasn't Foxnews saying it, it was one of the consultants himself that worked closely with the admin to write it, lie to us and get it passed.

Foxnews reported emails from top IRS officials who targeted conservative groups. Foxnews didn't just have commentary on it.

Foxnews had the whistleblower on to talk about the VA scandal.

Foxnews actually did some investigative reporting ( can you imagine that - sarcasm) into the tererist attacks in Benghazi. If you listened to Obama and Clinton, it was because of a video. Foxnews broke that story. Played video, interviewed US people on the ground at the time and we learned a far different story than the lies coming from this administration.

I don't care that much about the commentary coming from Foxnews, I care about the hard news coming from Foxnews. I can come to my own conclusions. But MSNBC and even CNN rarely covers stories or does any investigation. They just go with the Obama narrative and then calls anyone who opposes that narrative a racist.

[j3374]

All media outlets (especially for profit corporations) have an agenda and will spin their news in varying degrees. This is why, as consumers, we have to educate ourselves and balance our intake of news.


Fact-checking Fox, MSNBC and CNN: PunditFact's network scorecards | PunditFact

[lovbyts]

I would be more worried about the non profit. That means they are government subsidized so their content is controlled.

[Euroholic]

Compared to who? They all have an agenda. Some are just more controlled by the party in power than others.

It all depends on what party you lean towards. IMO CNN cbs msnbc is a joke.

Fox news has some hot birds ay i watch al jazera and a bit of fox news for my world news

[Metalject]

Compared to who? They all have an agenda. Some are just more controlled by the party in power than others.

It all depends on what party you lean towards. IMO CNN cbs msnbc is a joke.

Agreed. The idea that Fox News is agenda driven and other outlets are not is a pretty ridiculous statement, yet many tend to make it and believe it. From what I can tell, the media breaks down like this:

MSNBC, the big 3 networks and most of the print media are all far left and will present all news stories in a manner that promotes far left ideology. There are print exceptions but few.

Fox, for the mere fact that they do not present the information in a left leaning manner makes left leaning individuals assume it has a right leaning ideology. I see no evidence that the hard news is presented with any ideology leaning. Yes, Fox has opinion shows in primetime, as do all networks but hard news is simply that, hard news. A lot of people cannot tell the difference in hard news reporting and opinion pieces.

Online blogs, which are opinion driven, many seem to read these as if they're reading hard news reporting. How or why makes no sense.

The summary - most watch or read those who have an ideology that matches theirs and assume if the ideology doesn't then anything reported is a lie, which is a moronic view IMO.

The solution - people need to grow up and start wearing big boy pants and making decisions and learn how to shape their views on convictions, common sense and simply sane methods rather than ideological ones. This is, however, an impossibility for some. This holds true with those that lean right and left, but in my opinion, far more so for left leaning.

[likelifting]

It's not just about how they are covered or if they are left or right leaning, it's that MSNBC doesn't even cover them.

At least cover the story and let your viewers decide.

I think that is why they are IN THE DUMPS with viewership.

[lovbyts]

Agreed. The idea that Fox News is agenda driven and other outlets are not is a pretty ridiculous statement, yet many tend to make it and believe it. From what I can tell, the media breaks down like this:

MSNBC, the big 3 networks and most of the print media are all far left and will present all news stories in a manner that promotes far left ideology. There are print exceptions but few.

Fox, for the mere fact that they do not present the information in a left leaning manner makes left leaning individuals assume it has a right leaning ideology. I see no evidence that the hard news is presented with any ideology leaning. Yes, Fox has opinion shows in primetime, as do all networks but hard news is simply that, hard news. A lot of people cannot tell the difference in hard news reporting and opinion pieces.

Online blogs, which are opinion driven, many seem to read these as if they're reading hard news reporting. How or why makes no sense.

The summary - most watch or read those who have an ideology that matches theirs and assume if the ideology doesn't then anything reported is a lie, which is a moronic view IMO.

The solution - people need to grow up and start wearing big boy pants and making decisions and learn how to shape their views on convictions, common sense and simply sane methods rather than ideological ones. This is, however, an impossibility for some. This holds true with those that lean right and left, but in my opinion, far more so for left leaning.

Well said. Its like watching Opera or Donahue and thinking its hard journalism.

[j3374]

Agreed. The idea that Fox News is agenda driven and other outlets are not is a pretty ridiculous statement, yet many tend to make it and believe it. From what I can tell, the media breaks down like this:

MSNBC, the big 3 networks and most of the print media are all far left and will present all news stories in a manner that promotes far left ideology. There are print exceptions but few.

Fox, for the mere fact that they do not present the information in a left leaning manner makes left leaning individuals assume it has a right leaning ideology. I see no evidence that the hard news is presented with any ideology leaning. Yes, Fox has opinion shows in primetime, as do all networks but hard news is simply that, hard news. A lot of people cannot tell the difference in hard news reporting and opinion pieces.

Online blogs, which are opinion driven, many seem to read these as if they're reading hard news reporting. How or why makes no sense.

The summary - most watch or read those who have an ideology that matches theirs and assume if the ideology doesn't then anything reported is a lie, which is a moronic view IMO.

The solution - people need to grow up and start wearing big boy pants and making decisions and learn how to shape their views on convictions, common sense and simply sane methods rather than ideological ones. This is, however, an impossibility for some. This holds true with those that lean right and left, but in my opinion, far more so for left leaning.

FOX is conservative. This is the reason that conservatives prefer to watch FOX. If it seems center to a viewer, it's because the viewer matches the FOX demographic. The same applies to the liberal outlets.

Ranking the media from liberal to conservative, based on their audiences - The Washington Post

[j3374]

I would be more worried about the non profit. That means they are government subsidized so their content is controlled.

True, public media isn't free of influence either. This is why I believe that everyone's news input needs to come from a variety of sources. NPR absolutely airs interviews with politicians and pundits that are critical of Obama- maybe not as much as FOX, but it does happen. NPR also takes donations from the Walton Foundation (created by the family that owns Wal-Mart). So they're not free from corporate influence either.

[Metalject]

FOX is conservative. This is the reason that conservatives prefer to watch FOX. If it seems center to a viewer, it's because the viewer matches the FOX demographic. The same applies to the liberal outlets.

Ranking the media from liberal to conservative, based on their audiences - The Washington Post

I'd say that chart is fairly accurate. I'd also say that the outlets that showed up on the far left and right side of the scale really shouldn't be viewed as hard news. The ones on the far right of the scale are primarily opinion shows and do not claim to be hard news. The ones on the far left of the scale are pretty much the same, although I'm not sure how Steward and Colbert even fit on this list since their programs are comedy, satire and while opinion driven are not really news but rather entertainment.

Fox news on that chart, their placement, again not a surprise. The vast majority of Americans are not liberal, that's actually a very small minority of people. Most are either centrist or conservative leaning to a degree. Although, in my opinion, many (not all) but many who fall into the dead center are completely unaware of most things, which is why they choose the center.

Most Americans, your every day guy who keeps up with politics and world events a little bit doesn't want an ideological view from either side. The news outlets on the left side of the scale are all heavily ideological and since most American's are not that's why their ratings are also pathetic. Fox has stronger ratings, in part because many feel the hard news isn't ideological and in part because the hard news isn't presented in a fanatical fashion in either direction.

But the most important fact, people should take news as it really is. If someone does this or that and that is factually what happened, Person A blew up building B, who that news is presented by shouldn't affect whether it's true or not, but it does for many people. This is called insanity, ideological insanity.

[Rwy]

Fox news is a joke... I hope everyone knows and sees that...

Some people on this forum think its gospel. Its mind boggling. i have watched my father who once retired sat on his butt (deserved it after busting his ass) watching TV. He has been watching Fox all day and he has become so negative.

Anyhow The reality is two party politics has failed. The people need to take the power back and the system needs to be re-vamped. How thats done, I have no clue. Liberals buy votes by giving minorities money, and Republicans buy votes through the street, big business and religion.

[Metalject]

Some people on this forum think its gospel. Its mind boggling. i have watched my father who once retired sat on his butt (deserved it after busting his ass) watching TV. He has been watching Fox all day and he has become so negative.

Anyhow The reality is two party politics has failed. The people need to take the power back and the system needs to be re-vamped. How thats done, I have no clue. Liberals buy votes by giving minorities money, and Republicans buy votes through the street, big business and religion.

The issue with the two party system in the U.S. is simply that the two parties are largely identical. There really is very little difference. Sure, they may have some differences on certain social issues, but the stances on those talking points are simply made to gain votes. But think about it, elect a republican or democrat, either one, and this is what you get:

*Spending and more spending along with irresponsible spending.
*Insane tax laws - whether one thinks various tax rates are reasonable or not the laws themselves are moronic.
*Tremendous regulation - where the regulation occurs might vary somewhat depending on the party, but overall you end up with insanity.
*Larger government
*Politicians who buy votes (both parties do this equally, democrats have just become a little better at it on the presidential side)
*People who tell you how to live your life
*Bailouts - both are equally guilty.

Where is the difference?

Another issue, why the two party system is failing, because individuals expect government to do things for them. Our system isn't set up for government to fix anything. It's not the governments job to create jobs, it's not their job to provide anything beyond national security. It's governments job, in the U.S. to get out of the way and allow you the choice to take care of yourself. That's why America worked so well and unlike any other country before with so much success and that's why it's now failing, because government no longer does this.

We are a country founded on the idea that man has the right to take care of himself. It may not always work out but he is free to choose for himself the steps he takes. And government was viewed as a necessary evil to protect this right, nothing more. But we've reached the place like every other nation where we expect government to take care of us in some way. We no long wish to rule ourselves, we have asked to be ruled and that's what we've gotten.

[likelifting]

Some people on this forum think its gospel. Its mind boggling. i have watched my father who once retired sat on his butt (deserved it after busting his ass) watching TV. He has been watching Fox all day and he has become so negative.

Anyhow The reality is two party politics has failed. The people need to take the power back and the system needs to be re-vamped. How thats done, I have no clue. Liberals buy votes by giving minorities money, and Republicans buy votes through the street, big business and religion.

It's not gospel to me. The videos of people like Gruber talking about how to get obamacare passed, in his own words, is what is important to me.

I wish other news outlets would do some actual reporting instead of kissing up.

The Benghazi murders are horrible. We wouldn't have got that news if not for investigation.

I want to know what my government is doing. MSNBC doesn't do crap.

[ChrisG217]

I struggle to understand why the usa has such weak immigration policies. It is already an established country It has so many people without work and yet they seem to just keep allowing more people to flock in and give illegals citizenship. Why cant they just Consolidate from the inside then if more labour is needed bring in more people. i may be crazy but does this not make sense? And i saw on tv that illegal immigrants are being issued drivers licences is this not crazy? Its stuff like this that make the outside world laugh. The usa is meant to be the big bad wolf and yet there crumbling from the inside.

Not to mention that americans call it wheres waldo when it should be wheres wally!!!!!!!

Votes homie, most of the illegal immigrants here are of hispanic descent. The hispanic vote is on of the largest in the country when it comes to elections. Catering to them gives that political group a huge advantage when it comes to votes, hence the liberal vote. Reagan must be rolling in his grave.

[ChrisG217]

FOX is conservative. This is the reason that conservatives prefer to watch FOX. If it seems center to a viewer, it's because the viewer matches the FOX demographic. The same applies to the liberal outlets.

Ranking the media from liberal to conservative, based on their audiences - The Washington Post

FOX news is the most watched cable news show in America surprisingly. And my preferred news network.

FOX NEWS CHANNEL MARKS DECADE AS THE NUMBER ONE CABLE NEWS NETWORK – Fox News Channel Press

Kind of baffles me since this is a liberal dominated country these days. Oh and MSNBC can suck it, Rachel Maddows just needs to go away.

And I couldnt find a link that is current, that is from 2012. When Obama was probably at his most popular with the media.

[ChrisG217]

When you consider that America was an idea, does that idea still exist? U2’s Bono said it best “England, great country, but not an idea. Ireland, great country, but not an idea.” But what was the idea? I submit the idea was simple – live free, make own choices, keep what you earn, give to those you wish, submit to no government and if you do these things without hurting anyone else you are free to continue doing them.

Soldiers, military guys – when you fight, are you still fighting to protect this idea or are you fighting for a government? Does there come a point in time when following orders simply because they’re given is no longer the right thing to do?

Citizens – does there come a time when you no longer hold pride in your country? Is there a point when the lyrics to the songs that represent it are hollow? If you are a free society that is over its government and not a society (like all others) that has a government over it, does there come a time when you no longer support it? Does there come a time when people say they will no longer pay taxes to a government that has aborted and perverted “the idea”? Does there come a time when people say they will not obey a government that has aborted and perverted “the idea”?

Where is the line? Where and when does this “no more” point exist? To say it doesn’t exist is foolish. The very basis of the idea came from exactly that, men choosing to say “no more.” And man is no different now, not at his core. So where is the line? This isn’t to say if and when that line is crossed that society will be successful in taking the idea back, that took a miracle the first time and would so a second. But the question is the same, when is enough enough?

To answer your question I'm going to say no. America is not the America I knew growing up.

Too many free handouts to people that don't deserve it.

An unpredictable economy where the college grad has to struggle to get a job to pay off his tuition debts.

Racism is out of control now. The Black majority (NOT ALL BLACKS) in this country will use this excuse of entitlement because of their skin color to push any agenda... See Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin tragedies as examples.

A govt. with more questions than answers and no accountability.

As for the miltiary goes... Their really is no fight anymore with the drawdowns happening. Many that joined after 9/11 was probably the last great wave of patriots. The millenials are slowly crippling the military now with policy change to cater to them. Everyone I know does not like what is going on in the WH. It's just another job to me now. Really no sense of a higher calling these days especially with how they want military folk to look and act, for example the tattoo policies that are being used to get people kicked out... Oh how I miss my shi**y deployments in the middle of nowhere.

[Joco71]

Almost sounds like I'm pissed. lol

As Churchill once said..."To be young and not liberal, means you have not heart. To be old and not conservative, means you have no brain."

Love it.

Alot of wisdom in that Quote. Oh so true!!

[j3374]

I'd say that chart is fairly accurate. I'd also say that the outlets that showed up on the far left and right side of the scale really shouldn't be viewed as hard news. The ones on the far right of the scale are primarily opinion shows and do not claim to be hard news. The ones on the far left of the scale are pretty much the same, although I'm not sure how Steward and Colbert even fit on this list since their programs are comedy, satire and while opinion driven are not really news but rather entertainment.

Fox news on that chart, their placement, again not a surprise. The vast majority of Americans are not liberal, that's actually a very small minority of people. Most are either centrist or conservative leaning to a degree. Although, in my opinion, many (not all) but many who fall into the dead center are completely unaware of most things, which is why they choose the center.

Most Americans, your every day guy who keeps up with politics and world events a little bit doesn't want an ideological view from either side. The news outlets on the left side of the scale are all heavily ideological and since most American's are not that's why their ratings are also pathetic. Fox has stronger ratings, in part because many feel the hard news isn't ideological and in part because the hard news isn't presented in a fanatical fashion in either direction.

But the most important fact, people should take news as it really is. If someone does this or that and that is factually what happened, Person A blew up building B, who that news is presented by shouldn't affect whether it's true or not, but it does for many people. This is called insanity, ideological insanity.

Hey, great point about this chart including shows that were editorials or comedy. I looked at the graphic again, and noticed how it was labeled "media outlet" as opposed to "journalism" or especially "hard news". It makes sense that some viewers get their "news" from opinion and even satire, which both could fit under the broad umbrella of "journalism" along with "hard news". I guess even Facebook and internet discussion forums could be considered a "media outlet", even if not expressly "news". I've noticed that I get a fair amount of my news online, but will also verify with credible news sources afterward, due to my journalism experience in fact-checking in school.

Another point I wanted to point out about this graphic is their use of the word "ideology". In your post, you used it to define left leaning viewpoints, while this graph portrays it as a sliding scale that includes both major parties in varying degrees. Although I understand your point, I've got to agree with the poll's definition of ideology. Again, perspective is going to be affected by a person's placement on the liberal-conservative scale.

You also came to the conclusion that a majority of Americans are conservative by nature- I assume this is the conclusion that you came to after noting that FOX News has a much larger viewership. But according to PEW Research, it's actually because liberal viewers spread their viewership among several sources, and when they're all added together, equal roughly the same percentage as the FOX viewers, who almost unanimously watch FOX News. If anything, the poll results place the "average respondent" left of where they decided to portrait the "0", or neutral spot on the chart. I didn't take the time to look deeper to find out how they decided to place the 0 mark or put the "average respondent".

Political Polarization & Media Habits | Pew Research Center's Journalism Project

[j3374]

BTW, Metal,

In response to your belief that few people are "middle of the road" politically, I agree completely. I also agree that it's possible that a majority of the center could be the result of being uninformed or apathetic.

Just for the record, I'm registered as an Independent. I don't claim to be extremely informed in world and domestic events- I try to keep up with the basics. I'm more informed than a majority of my coworkers, but have a lot of areas that I'm admittedly ignorant about. Friends and acquaintances have perceived me as left or right depending on the subject matter and their own political vantage point.

I do make myself take in news from a variety of sources, though. I listen to PBS & NPR on the radio. I watch FOX online, and yes, I do watch some Colbert and Stewart online also (keeping in mind that it's satire). I do this specifically because I studied journalism and know how much the media can manipulate information and our views.

I don't vote or have a strong stance on issues that I feel like I'm not well informed on. I try to listen instead and learn instead of taking a stance most of the time.

[likelifting]

Left of center, middle of the road, right wing, etc etc. as long as people are informed, it's certainly their right to vote how they please.

I grew up in a democratic household, but many family gatherings ended up in a little table pounding debates about politics. It's all good IMO.

When we hear about the constitution, it's normally FREEDOM of SPEECH or RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, but one of the most important to me is the RIGHT TO A FREE PRESS. It hugely important.

While many of us are getting up to go make a living, who is watching over our Govt? There are obviously checks and balances in our govt. But I expect the press to work for us too. To me it's almost an obligation of theirs to investigate our Govt. it's not just a right IMO.

So that's what irritates me about not even reporting some of these stories. That's what gives me pause when people aren't even informed on issues. That's what irritates me about MSNBC. They don't have an obligation, but I wish they felt like they did.

I love this country. I served in the US military. But part of being a citizen is to vote for what you believe. Fight for what you believe. If I'm a little too opinionated about some of this, I apologize. It's just my nature.

[j3374]

likelifting-

Thank you for your service to our country. It wouldn't be what is is (good and bad) without you guys.

I "liked" your post because of your appreciation for for knowledge and validating BOTH party ideals. Most do not have the ability to be this objective.

I agree that one of the keys to any form of democratic-type government (including our democratic-republic) is freedom of speech. Many soldiers have died to preserve this right. But the there has been a struggle in America to balance this issue with national security. The right seems to resent Manning and Snowden, for example, for their whistle blowing on the government. The left hails them as heroes who, as you mentioned above, have held the government accountable by exercising what has been regarded as a first amendment issue. As you can see, it's not really a black and white issue, as many media outlets will present it as.

Another murky first amendment issue (should first amendment be capitalized?) is the climate change issue. The left claims that the scientific evidence is almost irrefutable, almost unanimous among scientists who study this field, and want the right leaning media to cease and desist. The conservatives claim that it's a politically motivated conspiracy. This is another issue that media manipulates and only partially informs its viewers on depending on their own bias.

[Euroholic]

Well from what i just saw apparently liberia, burma and the usa are the only 3 countries who officially use the imperial system. Metric might be the answer to your problems. It is 2015.

[Metalject]

Hey, great point about this chart including shows that were editorials or comedy. I looked at the graphic again, and noticed how it was labeled "media outlet" as opposed to "journalism" or especially "hard news". It makes sense that some viewers get their "news" from opinion and even satire, which both could fit under the broad umbrella of "journalism" along with "hard news". I guess even Facebook and internet discussion forums could be considered a "media outlet", even if not expressly "news". I've noticed that I get a fair amount of my news online, but will also verify with credible news sources afterward, due to my journalism experience in fact-checking in school.

Another point I wanted to point out about this graphic is their use of the word "ideology". In your post, you used it to define left leaning viewpoints, while this graph portrays it as a sliding scale that includes both major parties in varying degrees. Although I understand your point, I've got to agree with the poll's definition of ideology. Again, perspective is going to be affected by a person's placement on the liberal-conservative scale.

You also came to the conclusion that a majority of Americans are conservative by nature- I assume this is the conclusion that you came to after noting that FOX News has a much larger viewership. But according to PEW Research, it's actually because liberal viewers spread their viewership among several sources, and when they're all added together, equal roughly the same percentage as the FOX viewers, who almost unanimously watch FOX News. If anything, the poll results place the "average respondent" left of where they decided to portrait the "0", or neutral spot on the chart. I didn't take the time to look deeper to find out how they decided to place the 0 mark or put the "average respondent".

Political Polarization & Media Habits | Pew Research Center's Journalism Project

No, I made my conclusion regarding more Americans identifying with conservatives through polling. Gallup does this poll every year and the gap isn't even close. Of course that makes you wonder how liberals ever win, probably because most people have become so ill-informed they rarely know who they're voting for. But when you ask the basic questions, most identify with conservative view points. The number of people that actually call themselves liberal in the U.S. is fairly small. Here's an OK article on this by the WP: Conservatives outnumber liberals in 47 states - The Washington Post

Between you and me, when it comes to what people watch and read (news) I don't think most have any idea what they're watching and reading. As much as Gruber shouldn't have said what he said, he wasn't entirely wrong. I hope that changes, but I think it will require a true disaster to change.

[Metalject]

BTW, Metal,

In response to your belief that few people are "middle of the road" politically, I agree completely. I also agree that it's possible that a majority of the center could be the result of being uninformed or apathetic.

Just for the record, I'm registered as an Independent. I don't claim to be extremely informed in world and domestic events- I try to keep up with the basics. I'm more informed than a majority of my coworkers, but have a lot of areas that I'm admittedly ignorant about. Friends and acquaintances have perceived me as left or right depending on the subject matter and their own political vantage point.

I do make myself take in news from a variety of sources, though. I listen to PBS & NPR on the radio. I watch FOX online, and yes, I do watch some Colbert and Stewart online also (keeping in mind that it's satire). I do this specifically because I studied journalism and know how much the media can manipulate information and our views.

I don't vote or have a strong stance on issues that I feel like I'm not well informed on. I try to listen instead and learn instead of taking a stance most of the time.

I understand where you're coming from. We all have lives we have to live and there's often not enough time to dig deep into every issue on earth...plus, let's be honest, sometimes it can be pretty stinking boring. I understand that completely, I simply wish people would put in more time and thought and realize how much a lot of things actually do affect their lives. Everything government does affects all of us greatly. Fortunately for government, the things they do, often the consequences are seemingly small at first, they go unnoticed and slowly build over time. Then once radical consequences have occurred, because the effects are often gradual, by the time they're massive we don't notice as much. It's sneaky, morally wrong and in my opinion extremely dangerous. Thomas Paine was right, government is a necessary evil, but it is certainly evil.

[j3374]

I found that poll link really interesting, Metal. Thanks for providing a source!

I guess that just blows the perception (mine, at that) that registered Democrats must be mostly liberal, and Republicans conservative by default.

[Metalject]

I found that poll link really interesting, Metal. Thanks for providing a source!

I guess that just blows the perception (mine, at that) that registered Democrats must be mostly liberal, and Republicans conservative by default.

At one time I assumed the same thing, but democrat hasn't meant liberal and republican hasn't meant conservative in a long time, at least not politically. Politically, in the present, republican means big government, regulate everything, define morality and call democrats bad. And democrat means bigger government, regulate everything even more, define morality and call republicans bad. I'd also add democrat means socialist, and republican means socialist but generally too afraid to admit it. This is what the parties have become. There are exceptions in both but very few.

I think most Americans, while they may have varying social views, overall most simply want to be left alone. They want to be allowed to succeed and fail by their own hand, to live as they desire and to let others do the same. But neither party on the hill represents this anymore. Yes, there are ideological Americans (non-politicians) on both sides of the fence, but they're not the majority. Unfortunately, the majority has become a bit lazy.

[Shol'va]

Agreed this country has plunged and I honestly feel it's read to collapse. Look at history, all the world powers ended up falling. I used to be intrigued by politics at one point, but now it disgusts me. It also been at a rapid speed as of late, it just seems they are constantly stepping backwards. I thought (going out on a limb here) Ron Paul would be our chance to pull things back around. We need a non politician, someone who is genuinely looking out for the best interest of the nation. Can this be done, I doubt it, I think the other branch's are to far gone also. Everyone just at this point cant work together. I dont even want to think about whats up next after this upcoming election, Im scared to think if Hillary Clinton becomes our leader.

I so glad I found my faith in Yahweh, now in Jesus I have hope.

Good Choice. He is the way the truth and the life....

[Euroholic]

Good Choice. He is the way the truth and the life....

Who is Yahweh?

[Motardpdx]

Enjoyed the post plus reading it reminded me of why I love America, cause we all have our opinions and the freedom to express them.👍

[Jesusbrah]

[Honkey_Kong]

Who is Yahweh?

Jesus's dad.