diesel prices

[GolfAddict]

I get my news from NPR radio and The News Hour on PBS. I don't bother listening to the rest. I despise Fox news for their half-truths and right wing agenda...but I will admit that CNN, CBS, etc. are "left-leaning".

There is so much "spin" in the media today that the common person simply cannot trust what is presented as "news". Truly objective news sources are rare and invaluable.

This is an interesting topic for me. I am (obviously I'm sure) conservative, and to me, NPR and PBS are also "left leaning."

**I don't pretend to speak for all Conservatives. My views represent those I know or have indicated like mind.**

This is my observation. Conservatives tend to like Fox News. It gives the news and then editorializes on the right. Liberals tend to like CNN, MSNBC, and pretty much any of the rest because they give the news and editorialize on the left.

When Fox News came on the scene it rapidly rose in viewership as many Conservatives flocked to it. In the view of many of us, we finally had a news outlet that editorialized on the right, or "leaned right". For many of us, the major networks, cable news, and public broadcasting were almost indistinguishable in there editorial presentation of the news and all leaned left.

To me, it is entirely understandable that Liberals tend to dislike Fox News so intently. It's no different than than the feelings some of us Conservatives have when listening to left-leaning news outlets.

Many Conservatives will view Fox as being more "fair and balanced" because they tend to have a similar ideology, in many areas, to us.

Many Liberals will view the other networks as being more "fair and balanced" because they tend to have a similar ideology, in many areas, to them.

The way the Fox tends to be singled out by Liberals reinforces my belief that Fox is pretty much the only one out there leaning right.

When some of us see Fox News so denigrated by others, it kind of warms our hearts to know there is no longer a monopoly (perceived by us) by the left in the news.

Hmmmm... I'm not really keeping on the topic of diesel prices am I? Sorry...

 

[US American]

All the news outlets (tv, radio, print) have been tainted by subjectivity, whether it's a political or monetary (ratings, sales, etc) agenda. The objective news source does not exist in this country.

I read Fox News (conservative), the Seattle Times (liberal), and my local rag (liberal). It's on me to draw my own conclusions. I filter through the bs and look for the facts. I fact find for a living so it comes easier for me.

The government does a lot of great things but they screw a lot of things up. I feel the government has gotten too big and is growing unchecked. Cutting the fat would be great but a lot of programs and departments are essential at basic levels. Just my opinion, slot it wherever you like.

 

[dsgsr]

The Left & Right are what's wrong with this Country. We need too get back in the Middle and be for Commonsense.


David

 

[countryboycansurvive]

The news came out yesterday that government debt in the US amounts to $44,215 for every man, woman and child in the country and yet there are people on this board talking about what a great job the government is doing. That is just un friggin believable. Our children are doomed. Democracy is a failure when half the population is too ignorant to read the writing on the wall.

 

[miramadar]

To me, it is entirely understandable that Liberals tend to dislike Fox News so intently. It's no different than than the feelings some of us Conservatives have when listening to left-leaning news outlets.

Many Conservatives will view Fox as being more "fair and balanced" because they tend to have a similar ideology, in many areas, to us.

Many Liberals will view the other networks as being more "fair and balanced" because they tend to have a similar ideology, in many areas, to them.

Well said. I'm a liberal...and hate Fox news. But I do understand why conservatives like it. I would prefer news that didn't lean either way, but I guess they don't make that anymore.

The news came out yesterday that government debt in the US amounts to $44,215 for every man, woman and child in the country and yet there are people on this board talking about what a great job the government is doing. That is just un friggin believable. Our children are doomed. Democracy is a failure when half the population is too ignorant to read the writing on the wall.

That is an incredible fact. I'm a liberal, but I definitely don't understand how we can "live beyond our means" for so long and think that everything is just rosey. Trimming the fat is definitely needed. Part of that "fat" is subsidies and tax breaks to uber-rich energy companies.

The sad fact is that no one in America is willing to take the bull by the horns. We all realize that we're in a world of crap, fiscally speaking. But all Washington wants to do is point fingers at someone else and try to secure their next term in office. I personally don't mind paying taxes...so long as the tax code is fair and the money isn't wasted. But we all know that the tax code isn't fair (I probably paid more in taxes last year than GE...Mit Romney has like a 15% effective tax rate...etc.) and the money is sometimes wasted on counting fish in Mississippi or giving food stamps to folks who are able to work but just won't.

I personally believe that the end is in sight. Like great civilizations before us, we have grown too big and too complacent and we'll soon crumble under our own weight. And I'm not just talking about America...I'm talking globally. Human beings all too often don't realize their responsibilities to society...or just don't take them seriously. And societies as huge and complex as today's provide too many hiding places for those seeking to avoid their responsibility. And once a few start living on the gravy train, the rest of us start wondering what we're working for...if so many people aren't going to pull their weight. I personally believe that humans, like any pack animal, need to live in smaller units where their contribution is directly felt and required. Society has just gotten too big. Humans need to downsize. And downsize we will...eventually...either by natural causes or man-made ones. Nature always creates a way to "thin the herd". I'm not doomdayer here...I put no stock in the "2012" predictions. I think it's just fact.

 

[GolfAddict]

... I would prefer news that didn't lean either way, but I guess they don't make that anymore.

Agree, seems many years ago journalists decided it was their job to go beyond just reporting the news. Now it seems they tell us the news, usually with a slant, then feel free to go further and let us know how we should interpret the news...

Human beings all too often don't realize their responsibilities to society...or just don't take them seriously. And societies as huge and complex as today's provide too many hiding places for those seeking to avoid their responsibility. And once a few start living on the gravy train, the rest of us start wondering what we're working for...if so many people aren't going to pull their weight.

Reminds me of the history lesson from the early Pilgrims. Upon arriving, they organized basically as a commune, a truly socialist sort of structure. They very shortly re-structured (by the next year if I remember correctly) due to some "takers" that quickly learned that they could not pull their fair share but still enjoy in the fruits of other's labor.

I think you're right - in a small group this behavior is much more likely to be immediately apparent and corrected...


Your

 

[jonyyuma]

BOHICA- (Bend Over Here It Comes Again) Gotta love it when warmest winter on record, refined fuel is the US's second largest export now, lowest fuel consumption since 2001 and Imported oil went from something like 40% down to 20% now. Gotta love how wall street speculation drives up the price by just the hint of possibly a fuel crisis.

For once I would love to see oil bottom out and see all these traders lose there asses on buying oil futures than maybe they would be a little more reserved about constantly artificially driving the price up. Oil is just the new bubble to put your money.

Well, It looks pretty much that way to me too...They raise the PRICE because they can make more money...Selling the oil and processed FUEL to BRAZIL smells like treason to me..IMHO, and I left Politics out of it???

 

[RaydaKub]

To add to AKfish's list of things governments run, seemingly successfully, let's talk about Medicare:

I understand that you like the benefits of Medicare and it is keeping your healthcare costs under control.

But to hold that up as a successful gov't program? What is the measure of success? They pay a fraction of the real bill to the provider of medical services, so in order to stay solvent, the provider charges those not on Medicare a lot more. In order to keep the program solvent, the terms have had to be changed numerous times over the years. Contributions taken directly out of paychecks have had to be increased to meet the continued demand. Benefits paid have been cut. The amount of time just keeping track of the paperwork by the provider has skyrocketed. What if we could apply that time and expense to actual patient assistance? Is that really successful?

The entitlements of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other various programs are eating the govt alive. Entitlements are bankrupting our nation. There are individuals who benefit from the programs. Nobody can deny that fact. But to say they are successful? Successful at what?

Wow, are we off topic now...

 

[jonyyuma]

Gov't ment cannot even run the Post Office??

 

[varmint]

Yah, we're off topic, sort of, but it's an interesting topic, none the less. RaydaKub points out that Medicare only pays part of the true cost... that may be right, some of the time, but when I had insurance, I would get printouts every time my employer insurance paid for something... just for example, let's use blood tests: The lab might bill for $250, and my insurance might pay them $50- their negotiated payment. Now, when I get blood work, that full $250 is expected from me. Somewhere in the middle makes more sense to me, since I can ill afford to subsidize the insurance of others. My understanding is that lots of medical work is done, maybe begrudingly, for whatever Medicare will pay. I sure would like to see a practical, functional and sustainable solution to medical costs. I haven't yet, other than single payer insurance, where we all bit the bullet, young and old, healthy and otherwise. It works in Europe and Canada, combined with private insurance for those who can afford it in addition and want the premium care.