"Just the Facts, Ma’am!"

Post #43

My recent blog on courtesy (see #42) included a reference to Jack Webb’s character in Dragnet, who was known for his line, “Just the facts, ma’am.”  Too often, facts are woefully absent in our policy debates today.  I fear that voters will not become informed on the issues when conversations are based on rumors or allegations.

Let me offer two examples that bear out my concern:

1)      A recent Harris poll showed shocking ignorance among respondents answering questions about President Obama, of which:

• 23% believe he is anti-American;
• 20% believe he is “doing many of the things that Hitler did”;
• 25% think he was not born in the U.S. and so is not eligible to be president;
• 13% believe that he wants the terrorists to win; and
• 32% believe he is a Muslim (in fact, he’s a Christian).

Are these results based on gullible acceptance of “facts” presented by right-wing media commentators? Could the respondents actually hold such beliefs, or are they blinded by fear, hatred, or racism?

2)      Closer to home, I gave a “pop quiz” to my students at Montgomery College on the just-passed health care reform plan.  Every one of them knew that it had passed, that most Democrats supported it while Republicans opposed did not, and that President Obama had worked hard for its passage.  (That’s especially impressive, considering they were on their Spring Break during debate and the final vote!)  But sadly, they were murky on the details.  Two thought that health care would now be free for all Americans, while another suspected it would be more difficult for her to find insurance because the bar for coverage would be raised! 

Both these examples make me wonder about information sources.  Are they hearing only from those who have no desire to offer a balanced presentation of the facts?  I have confidence that Americans, when fully educated about an issue, can come to their own conclusions.  While I may not agree with their opinions, I could respect them if I thought they had access to the same facts and data that I did.   Only in that way can we truly engage in a spirited and constructive debate regarding the best choices for our state or country.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What are your preferred information sources?  Do you seek outlets that profess to be “fair and balanced” or those that actually present both sides?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#43) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.