t makes me more convinced how important it is that we figure out how to expose the agenda driven bias rampant behind most media sources.
Many good people are busy leading their lives and want to believe the best about the government (they sense something may be wrong, but are willing to give the new administration a chance) . The media is trying to make the Tea Parties out to be some fringe group.
I think that this battle has to be engaged. Without truth it makes our work a lot harder.
I wonder if we could get a rating system for reporters that gives low scores for misleading stories?
Or if anything like that exists currently?

Thank you for your words. I feel the same!

How can we take back our country?
Meaning return it to a place where the people have more representation.
How many people here feel that the government is hearing what is on our mind, and representing our concerns?
Can we get an area on this site that is dedicated to suggestions, or is their one already?
Can we have suggestions that we could rate (by + or -) to express our thoughts on whether it is important.
Then take the ideas that have a higher + number and let us all discuss how to follow through with it, and whether it is practical and/or possible.
One thought I have is creating a bill to be voted on, to take away legislators' power to vote themselves raises.
I think that they should be treated more like the rest of us, not like Kings and Queens.
Isn't that what we tried to get away from in England?
We want people in office that actually care for, and want to help our country. They need to live by the same rules that govern us.
It is ridiculous! They should be more responsible, with higher penalties to pay for bad behavior, or poor choices! They have the unmitigated gall to stand as our leaders and representatives, and get to be sheltered from what we are going through, and speak lies and initiate self interested policies. Then they often have little consequences resulting.
It is appalling, what is going on today, if you want a limited responsible government.
Furthermore why wouldn't this be acceptable from a bipartisan view?
Which "average Joe," citizen, Democrat or Republican would have a moral problem with making their government
more on a par with all of us?

Look, I would acknowledge that some of the attitude is not real sensitive, but it is certainly understandable.
I'll even give you credit for speaking out against the majority opinion here, but what you do not do is show much proclivity for seeing the truth that is in the other side of the argument.
It is not an act of racism to expect that the government should uphold the laws, and that English is the language of the United States, and should be used in places of business, unless advertised as some sort of specific cultural experience.
I could just as easily say to you, go on, be a hater of those who love America, and believe in borders and in the founding principals.

Thanks for your thoughts. I am just trying to think, what are the practical steps that we can take?
I think as you, and obviously rrd724 do, that the media is so key in this equation. I talked to many people that voted for Obama that said they had problems with him, but were more concerned about Palin.
The media is so intertwined in why this perspective was common that it is a real travesty in my opinion.
I would have had a lot less problem with Obama if he had presented himself honestly, openly espousing the real agenda that he was and is about, and if people had voted for him on that basis.
The fact is that he still is not at all openly transparent about his true identity and passion, and goals.
I really don't know what he is about. I'd love to believe that his goal is to be the best possible president to America, but his actions elicit questions, and do little to quell concerns from anyone who doesn't either believe in him like Jim Jones, or are so committed to the left, that all they care about is that he is going in their direction.
It seems that it is almost completely, blatantly obvious to most of us, yet there are many middle of the road people that seem to think that things are pretty much business as usual, other then the economic crises.
There are plenty of smart people out there. I just want to know how we can change the dynamics here.
It is common sense that it should be our right to have an honest information source, that serves as such a central element to us deciding what, and who we vote for.
My thought was one idea, what ever we can do to establish something like that I think would be good.
I hope that people will share info sources and any ideas.

I really think that the main stream media is responsible for a huge amount of degradation happening in this country by reporting news (which suggests that it is generally objective) in a way that supports a political agenda.
Most of us know of plenty of examples.
I would like all that are interested, to share info on watchdog entities that are already engaged in monitoring these news stories, and the people that promote them. So that we can utilize them and promote their success, assuming they are trying to be factually accurate.
I also would love to get a rating system going on reporters, kind of like ebay does sellers. They would get high marks for consistently being fair, honest and somewhat comprehensive in their reporting. The ones that are typically writing misleading articles could get some negative, and noticeable attention. The articles that are found to be weak, in the fact department could be linked to, and possibly critiqued. They surely could be afforded any rebuttal (which would only be fair), along with the information.
I wonder how the reporting might evolve if a large reputable and wide spread publication could provide this kind of information to the public .
What are your thoughts, and does anybody have any other ideas along these lines?

Thank you. I so agree with your last comment.. There are so many people that say to me we have to give Obama a chance. These are intelligent people who are not extreme leftists, but are generally insulated from a lot of info, via main stream media.
I didn't vote for Obama, but once he had won, I was truly more then willing to give him a chance. Was happy that history was made with him. The problem is that he has had plenty of opportunity to reach across the aisle like he said, and be the president of the "United States of America"
He has shown him self to be more like the champion of everyone who thinks that the United States is the main culprit in some really twisted revised history of the world. It's not a vision that he has, it is "His Version," of everything. He is allowed to talk in platitudes, and be held accountable for nothing (oh I guess he has the pressure of being in the public eye, like any other celebrity).
All I would ask of those who voted for him, and are not committed far leftists is to allow, promote, and expect some honest scrutiny. Also to discuss the honest questions that are being raised by those of us who see our government expanding into something, unimaginable just one and a half years ago.

I think that you make a great point about Soros and the left.
I think that we should all try to figure out peaceful, civil ways to combat this stuff.
This blog is a really good step.
It seems so critical to me, because it is a lot easier to destroy something then to build something, especially that is good and worthwhile.
Can someone tell me how this blog is organized in order to find where ideas are being discussed on things we can do? Is their a specific section for that? I haven't even figured out yet how to write on my own subject, just to post replies.
I think that we really need to work on publicizing media bias, when they don't report, or do report news, based on political agenda more then newsworthiness. I think that we need watchdogs on these people, calling into question blatant bias in reporting under the guise of "news."
I just think this is critical if we want truth and facts to reign, and affect the future outcome of this country.
It seems like people can just say almost anything without any accountability if they are a member of the press.
Thanks!

Is there more, or is that all?

know_nothing.
What is the meaning of life?