For anyone who feels there is more than meets the eye.. to this systematic society in which we are encouraged to live…. From the Mind of Doc Rx… to a blog that can redefine the ages…. all content you view here, of course… is, “Within The Margin of Error”
I am astonished by recent statistics, illustrating our country’s overwhelming opinion that our government is in need of major reform. It is not so much the consensus that startles me, rather the fact that we tolerate having our needs ignored. We are willing to disagree but not to disobey or demand reform, as Gandhi did in India, as Mandela did in South Africa, and as Dr. King did for our great nation. Are we so used to prevailing in the end, that we have forgotten how much effort is needed to achieve greatness?
We have many leaders living here today who have taken the first step towards reform, however instead of taking the next step, they choose to serve themselves financially and ultimately reform nothing. They criticize policies, administrations, and legal precedents that shape our nation today, and they enjoy the support of millions while talking about what needs to be done. Michael Moore is one of these people: a left wing extremist
who makes controversial documentaries criticizing our government from elected officials to the legislation. Like many reformists in the entertainment industry, he enjoys an extremely large liberal following made up of fans waiting for his next work. Bill O’Reilly is another extremist who is quite influential, but not by making documentaries, rather by giving his opinions on a news telecast aired daily on Fox News. Contrary to Mr. Moore, Mr. O’Reilly represents an extreme right-wing point of view and is an advocate for Republican agenda. Bill Maher is another man, who is increasingly influential as a politically driven comedian discussing issues in a comedic format for on national television. Currently his show, Real Time, is aired on HBO where he is free from the censorship that governs non-premium cable networks.
Though he tends to support liberal-minded thinking more than he does conservative-minded thinking, he does not blindly support either agenda; rather he is a comic and criticizes anyone in the government who he does not agree with. I have examined three media icons who discuss political issues with very different styles from three different areas of media: film, daily cable talk shows, and weekly premium channel talk shows. I would have to say that Bill Maher is the closest of the three to actually encouraging followers to take steps towards reform. While Moore tends to distort and deceive in order to prove a point, and O’Reilly tends to be overly concerned with his own ego, Maher seems to slice through the boundaries of what most consider to be politically correct across lines wouldn’t dare cross
Again, I reiterate, the criticism voiced by the people mentioned above is not what bothers me. I am bothered by the fact that the criticism is coupled with a lack of intention to use their influence to make a difference. They need to see the potential that comes with a sea of ready and able followers, not only to believe, but to take appropriate action until a difference is made. However, instead of joining forces with someone with a plan, they are content manipulating facts in effort to distort opinions about the system while doing nothing to correct it.
The viewers represent the nature of the vast majority of our citizens. Meaning, they hear viewpoints from members of the media, like O’Reilly, Moore, and Maher, and they adopt them as their own. Whereas, in the past, newscasters reported facts and it was up to us to interpret these findings and form our own opinion. For this very reason, Walter Cronkite once said, “It is clear to me, that the present day media has taken over the world.” If today’s journalists only aspired to report with the integrity and respect of the late Mr. Cronkite, instead of the partisan reporters of today, perhaps that quote would not be so sadly accurate.
However, since reporters today are employees of large media conglomerates with varying political agendas, company executives ensure a political twist is added to the actual story. Stations employ people who have viewpoints directly in line with the view of their respective stations. This ensures that fans of various comedians, journalists, and hosts will adopt the viewpoints and opinions of the mother corporation. While viewers claim that certain television personalities speak their mind, they fail to realize that these people only speak their mind within the political boundaries in which they are directed to abide by. Popularity and ratings mean nothing if the host does not fall in line with the greater agenda of the mother company. Glenn Beck had the second highest rated show on CNN but was fired for his “unconventional” views, which happen to be conservative which clashed with CNN’s normal liberal feel. This is why he is now a star on Fox News; his popularity is only important if he can manipulate his audience to have the same opinion as the higher-ups at the mother station. All TV personalities must stay in line with the beliefs of the corporation at large, thereby proving (as Mr. Cronkite stated) that the media has indeed, taken over the world. When the news is allowed to be reported in a way that deceives viewers to think a certain way, vote a certain way, dress a certain way, etc. it should no longer be called news. This should alarm every last citizen who values our freedom as Americans; for freedom is dying right before our eyes and we don’t even have the ability to have an opinion on it anymore.
This essay, no doubt, will be written off by the masses as the ramblings of a conspiracy theorist as they flip the channel to get their instruction on how to behave in this bi-partisan system. So, if you must see concrete evidence of the mind control being performed by our media, consider the chart below. Of the 1000+ channels on various cable services, 95% of the channels are owned by only six corporations. This is not a typo: News Corp, CBS, Viacom, Disney, Time-Warner, and GE have systematically tapped into every demographic in this country and even created competing stations under the same umbrella as to appear diverse. When you turn on the TV, as much as you like to think you have 1000 choices, at best you have six political viewpoints, cleverly disguised into a variety of entertaining shows. When cable was invented, the CEO of CBS accidentally spoke while his microphone was on backstage saying, “We are going to create enough networks to appeal to every demographic in this country. Eventually they will all tune in to what we tell them to, ultimately ensuring that they tune-out from reality.”
As a member of one of the most innovative and resourceful generations in this country, I see the potential crisis looming. Our predecessors had the challenge of maintaining our nation’s greatness while working towards a better tomorrow. However, as the time to pass the reigns nears, this nation is crumbling, and my generation is being handed the reins to a chariot without wheels, let alone a horse at the other end of the reins. I am capable of rallying masses around me for numerous reasons, but one in specific: my observations and opinions represent those of the majority of this nation. I do not claim to be one of the great men I mentioned in my opening, but I aspire to be in their company one day. I aspire to join forces with the critics mentioned above and really make the viewers begin to think. The problem is that if I inspire too many people to follow my lead, on any one of these 1000 channels, I will be taken off the air and effectively silenced. We have allowed them to have enough power to actually eliminate anyone who has ideas contrary to their agenda. Who will stand by me and scream that we, the people, will not be silenced and our minds will continue to be free. The time for change is now and it is up to every one of you to start demanding it. There are 49 million people in this country living below the poverty line. They are tired of being stuck in a system that is built to fail them. Imagine what 49 million people could do with the right leader at the helm, if we all stood up together in protest. There isn’t an army in this world that could stop us; after all we only want what so many have died to give us. We want what the power elite have taken away and we will not stop until we get it.
Imagine the masses I could motivate if given the chance. Does anyone doubt me? They doubted this man… and I’m twice as motivated. I am tired of being kept in the dark about my own life. How about you?
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