Pardon My Politics
Politics From The Left, The Right & Somewhere in BetweenIs the Fairness Doctrine Designed to Silence Conservatives?
The Fairness Doctrine isn’t just designed to muzzle conservatives. Its effect and intent goes far beyond that simple objective.
As evidenced by the effects of the Fairness Doctrine from its inception to its repeal, its true objective is to muzzle free speech. This is the true goal of the Fairness Doctrine. Since its repeal, the explosion of the variety of talk radio has been tremondous.
There is also another, subtler assumption within in this question, which is inherent in the question. The unspoken assummption is that government has the “ability” to create a level playing field and more importantly, government has the “responsibility” to do so.
This assumption made by both Republicans and Democrats, can be evidenced by the rise of the “size” of the Federal Government since the 1930’s.
In the 1930s, 12% of the national income was consumed by government. Since then, 44% of our national income is consumed by government spending, and if we include the 14%, the cost of of government mandated regulations, this raises the amount consumed by the federal government to 56% of our national income. Milton Friedman stressed the need importance studying the effects and costs of government mandated regulations, because these costs are not covered nor do they budget for them. In addition, there are “no” budgetery controls for these costs. These figures were taken from a website called, “The Grandfather Economic Report”, created by Michael Hodges, who descrbes himself as a concerned parent and grandfather. The website is: http://mwhodges.home.att.net/
The reason for this rise in the size of American Government is socialism. This is the root belief behind the expansion of governmental regulation in the United States.
It was a governmental agency, (The FCC), that created the, “The Fairness Doctrine”. This regulation was not voted in by Congress nor was it debated by the general populace. It is another example of how the attitude of “government knows best”, has permeated our society since the 1930’s.
I am always get nervous when I see the government attempting to over-step its bounds using vehicles such as the Fairness Doctrine. There are many reasons for this nervousness as evidenced by the above statistics, but also because many people in the United States have bought the assumption that we “need” the government to take away all obstacles, to smooth over all problems, to regulate all issues, to take away all our worries, to mediate all disputes, and to protect us from all forms of harm. The Fairness Doctrine is a small example of that attitude.
The American public ultimately decides who they will listen too. If Liberal’s and others, can’t seem to sell their ideas, than maybe they should revisit their premises, or marketing strategies, or even, God forbid, to re-examine their liberal beliefs and values to determine if they are truly the voice of the American public, as they maintain.
In conclusion, the Fairness Doctrine inhibits free speech. It is also a reflection of the belief that big government has the ability and duty to “regulate” speech in America, especially if it helps Liberal’s! It is socialistic in nature and a reflection of the rise of socialism in America since the 1930’s. It is also a attack on the free market concept in America where the market, i.e., the public, determines what they will or won’t buy.
Please note that I am not a Conservative, Republican, Libertarian, or a card carrying Democrat! I am a registered Independent. I am 1/2 Native American, but I am more American than Native. I say this because I believe in the Constitution, the Founding Father’s concept of small government, individual rights and the only economic structure that can obtain and maintain these ideals; capitalism.
About the author: Visit Ray Blacketer’s personal and business web site, http://rblacketer.ipower.com/
Source: EzineArticles
