The Politics of Diversion
A fellow called me up the other day to ask why so many middle class and blue collar Americans were "fooled" into voting for George Bush. The guy screamed that he was going to start an "impeach George Bush," movement. I thought for a few seconds and told him that it was unlikely that a Republican Senate, a Republican House and the same Supreme Court that awarded Bush the Presidential office, would even start such an investigation.

On the substance of the question, why, so many Americans don't vote, what the caller perceived, as their interests, is more complex. I did put the question to Congressman Bernie Sanders (Ind.) from Vermont. His take was interesting. He said that it amounted to what I have always called the "Politics of distraction." He said that people were fed a steady diet of Michael Jackson and entertainment programs. He said that the new near monopolies of media outlets and who was running them was a large part of the problem. He said that if the American people heard programs that weren't boring (like PBS often is) they would become interested. I said that I wasn't so sure.

On the other hand, I'd like to believe it.

- posted by Alan @ 1/15/2004 09:52:00 AM