A Call For True Fairness

I'm making a bet here that if you're actually reading this page, then you have at least a passing interest in political affairs and of our government.

That said, I think most people, liberal as well as conservative, can come to an agreement that the media's handling of the presidential campaigns for both major parties has been anything but fair.

Go back to the summer of 2007, where the media was coming up with ways to shun some candidates by establishing "tiers" - there were the "top-tier" people - generally those with a lot of cash backup or with really bland agendas which won't do any good but sound all fluffy, then the "second-tier" candidates, generally people who actually backed up what they said and took a decisive stand on issues. These are the Mike Gravels, Ron Pauls, Tom Tancredos and Duncan Hunters.

Maybe for the next elections, and even for state elections as well, we can do some things befitting our American heritage of "equal treatment" and individual liberty:

1. DO NOT jump the gun and lump candidates into "tiers". Why not trust the people to make that decision? Or are you afraid a man (or woman) of principle will get elected? The media shun Ron Paul but he still makes pretty impressive showings despite getting support from the grassroots. My personal favorites, Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo, were written off almost from the start and essentially ignored by the media. How, I wonder, might they have fared if not lumped into the "long shot" bunch?
2. Let all the candidates into the debates. Fox denied Paul and Hunter access to debates, citing they "didn't have the room", which is a load of nonsense from a multi-billion dollar company. Am I to seriously believe that Fox couldn't afford a bigger table or at least a couple chairs and microphones? By not allowing all the candidates on, you're only stifling freedom of choice, you're not allowing people to hear the assorted platforms and ideas and therefore not allowing them to make a more educated decision.
3. What about some of the other parties? I know their support bases are small (I'm registered with the Constitution Party myself, one of a scant few in new Jersey), but their opinions need to be heard as well. Have debates where you get a few of the other parties involved. Put the Greens up there, but the Libertarians up there, the Constitutionalists, whoever wants to come be heard. Interview them on the shows like all the major party candidates do.
4. Please, media elites - Stop trying to predict the future! Polls change daily and don't mean squat. This election cycle has managed to make the whole lot of pundits look like utter jackasses and the frauds they are. Maybe this is a sign that the people have no respect for you and your biases.

If only the talking heads would just throttle back and let the democratic process work itself out without their meddling, maybe the country wouldn't be so close to veering so dangerously off course.

- F.D. for Two Joe Schmoes