Are we "tabloiding" and "Celeb News-ing" the entire election season by focusing on everything but the issues?

Question

The issues aren't being discussed. --At all.

Personalities, style, funny bloopers, chain emails chock full of lies, "gotcha" embarrassing comments made by people the candidates knew (but never the candidate himself), popular rumors, public reaction to popular rumors, poll results, the two possible First Ladies and their sense of style, titillating nuggets of biography, appearance schedules, celebrity endorsements, stars at fundraisers... all this and more from the Celeb News style book, but no issues.

Is Celeb News (political glitz reported in the style of Entertainment Tonight) or Tabloid News (trashy supermarket checkout "gotcha" scandal-baiting) the only thing that mobilizes American passion any more? What does this say about the health of our culture (certain aspects of which we are supposedly so protective)? What kind of president do we expect this will yield for the United States?

Answer 1

strange... here in NZ it's all about them criticizing each other on what they've done wrongin the issues to try gain public support ie in the health care system, railways, etc. we just had a country wide protest held by the truckies because of a political muck up. so yea, to me it all seems like in america it's all celebrity-ized. it's strange to me... hmm....

Answer 2

THE JOB  & THE URINE TEST



(I sure would like to know who wrote this one! They deserve a HUGE pat on The back!)

I HAVE TO PASS A URINE TEST FOR MY JOB, SO. Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay  me. I  pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees  fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine  test with which I have no problem.

What I do have a problem with is  the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine  test.  Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check  because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I  do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their  ***, doing drugs, while I work. . . . Can you imagine how much money the  state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public  assistance check? Pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you  don't. Hope  you all will pass it along, though . . . Something has to  change in this country.

Answer 3

Unless the population demands intelligent news reporting, we will be feed dumbed-down, distorting rubbish. After all, one of the worst offenders just got a contract of $400 Million!!!!!

I get my news from NPR, France24 and DW, without advertisement or (what's good for) shareholders.

The MIS-information, thinly veiled as questions, on this site alone, by either side of the political spectrum is hair-raising. It shows  deplorable levels of ignorance, something to be feared more than weapons!

Answer 4

Your right! But the real question is "Why do they do it this way"

I don't think you will like the answer!

Answer 5

Well said, and I totally agree.  The MSM have taken our election system and turned it into a cheap TV show, much like Jerry Springer's show, but with politicians.  

You won't hear much about real issues, that wouldn't win any ratings battle.  It's a sad state of affairs.  Most people don't inform themselves about the real issues so they don't want to talk, or even hear, about them.

You know there's a problem when Fox wins the ratings battles.

And another thing, the president went to Tim Russert's funeral but has never been to a soldiers funeral, that I know of.  Think about what that says.

Answer 6

It really seems that there is more discussion of the issues at the Oscars than in the election.