We have witnessed an extraordinary rousing of the American people this summer over the issue of amnesty for those who illegally overrun our nation and compete for American jobs, while demanding that the taxpayers provide them and their families an array of health, education and welfare accommodations. In an avalanche of phone calls, letters, e-mails, and faxes, the people reminded their political representatives that they serve as the peoples’ representatives and can be replaced.
Some Members of Congress were prepared to defy overwhelming opinion against amnesty for illegal aliens until the pressure became too intense and they feared for their political lives. But as soon as the measure was defeated, some Senators began to resent being told how they should vote and began to blame “talk radio” for riling up the masses. Senators of both parties, who apparently think they were sent to Washington to be served rather than to serve, began to call for the reinstatement of the so-called “Fairness Doctrine.”
The misnamed Fairness Doctrine was repealed in 1987 because it was anything but fair and had the effect of muting free speech and the discussion of controversial issues. Many saw it as a violation of First Amendment Free Speech principles.
Under the Fairness Doctrine, if points of view were expressed through the broadcast media on any topic, contrasting views had to be given equal time. If there were six different points of view on an issue, all would be granted equal time. These requirements, far from encouraging free speech, had the effect of muzzling it. Most radio stations are privately owned, for-profit enterprises, and could not risk the possibility of having to provide air time to every contrasting quirky point of view, regardless of how extreme or unrepresentative the view might be.
As soon as the Fairness Doctrine was removed, “talk radio” as we know it was born and commentators like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mike Reagan, and Bill Bennett have earned huge national audiences and are carried on hundreds of stations across America. Despite many well-funded attempts by those on the political left to match these successful conservative giants, the left has fallen far short. The left has found that there is little national audience for its commentary that disparages America, degrades our military, advocates for bigger government, and promotes policies that offend most people of faith.
Over 90% of talk radio is dominated by conservatives. Americans have made these programs the success that they are because they express points of view shared by most Americans. Far from being “brainwashed” by these programs, Americans have been encouraged by their new-found realization that there are millions of other Americans who share their traditional values and think as they do. More importantly, Americans have been joined to other like-minded Americans through talk radio, and they are making their collective voices heard loud and clear.
Stung by their defeat on the Senate Amnesty Bill, those Senators on both sides of the aisle who see themselves as an elite, governing class, and who don’t want to be bothered by the views of ordinary Americans, are now intent on restricting our free expression. This is an old instinct. It is the instinct of Fidel Castro in Cuba, Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, and Vladimir Putin in Russia.
The national argument America has had with her leaders this summer may well be a very healthy one for our republic. Americans have realized how important their involvement is in the workings of our government, and we have learned that we can play a decisive role in the direction our nation takes.
Most importantly, we’ve also learned who represents the people, and who those politicians are that hold the people and their views in contempt. The frustrations and concerns that drove so many to call, write, fax and e-mail Senate offices now need to be felt in the most important poll of all, the one taken on Election Day. After all, as Alexander Hamilton once said, “Here, Sir, the people rule.”
(Agree? Disagree? Please share your thoughts with me by clicking on the e-mail address to the right above.)
Some Members of Congress were prepared to defy overwhelming opinion against amnesty for illegal aliens until the pressure became too intense and they feared for their political lives. But as soon as the measure was defeated, some Senators began to resent being told how they should vote and began to blame “talk radio” for riling up the masses. Senators of both parties, who apparently think they were sent to Washington to be served rather than to serve, began to call for the reinstatement of the so-called “Fairness Doctrine.”
The misnamed Fairness Doctrine was repealed in 1987 because it was anything but fair and had the effect of muting free speech and the discussion of controversial issues. Many saw it as a violation of First Amendment Free Speech principles.
Under the Fairness Doctrine, if points of view were expressed through the broadcast media on any topic, contrasting views had to be given equal time. If there were six different points of view on an issue, all would be granted equal time. These requirements, far from encouraging free speech, had the effect of muzzling it. Most radio stations are privately owned, for-profit enterprises, and could not risk the possibility of having to provide air time to every contrasting quirky point of view, regardless of how extreme or unrepresentative the view might be.
As soon as the Fairness Doctrine was removed, “talk radio” as we know it was born and commentators like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mike Reagan, and Bill Bennett have earned huge national audiences and are carried on hundreds of stations across America. Despite many well-funded attempts by those on the political left to match these successful conservative giants, the left has fallen far short. The left has found that there is little national audience for its commentary that disparages America, degrades our military, advocates for bigger government, and promotes policies that offend most people of faith.
Over 90% of talk radio is dominated by conservatives. Americans have made these programs the success that they are because they express points of view shared by most Americans. Far from being “brainwashed” by these programs, Americans have been encouraged by their new-found realization that there are millions of other Americans who share their traditional values and think as they do. More importantly, Americans have been joined to other like-minded Americans through talk radio, and they are making their collective voices heard loud and clear.
Stung by their defeat on the Senate Amnesty Bill, those Senators on both sides of the aisle who see themselves as an elite, governing class, and who don’t want to be bothered by the views of ordinary Americans, are now intent on restricting our free expression. This is an old instinct. It is the instinct of Fidel Castro in Cuba, Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, and Vladimir Putin in Russia.
The national argument America has had with her leaders this summer may well be a very healthy one for our republic. Americans have realized how important their involvement is in the workings of our government, and we have learned that we can play a decisive role in the direction our nation takes.
Most importantly, we’ve also learned who represents the people, and who those politicians are that hold the people and their views in contempt. The frustrations and concerns that drove so many to call, write, fax and e-mail Senate offices now need to be felt in the most important poll of all, the one taken on Election Day. After all, as Alexander Hamilton once said, “Here, Sir, the people rule.”
(Agree? Disagree? Please share your thoughts with me by clicking on the e-mail address to the right above.)
