Distractions take away from crucial issues
Do you remember how strange it seemed when George Stephanopoulos brought up the contraception questions at the Republican debate several weeks ago? The contestants along with the viewers were all wondering where is this line of questioning coming from? I believe the answer is now clear — it came from David Axelrod, whose specialty is forming public opinion. I remember after the whole Catholic Church issue somewhere saying “the president really stepped in it this time”; if he stepped in anything I think it was intentional. Do you recall how out of place it sounded for President Obama when he said something about Jesus approving his tax plan? All of a sudden contraception, abortion, gay rights and religion are the hot topic at debates, on the news and radio talk shows. Well done, Mr. Axelrod — and not so much Republican leadership.
Although the current administration is putting as much positive spin on the economy as they think we will swallow, they have successfully taken attention off the 14 million unemployed, the 30 percent of mortgage holders underwater, the stagnation of business expansion (other then GE, GM and few other green Obama favorites) and mostly the $15 trillion and growing debt. Last time around many were led into believing the whole media driven hope and change program, but now there is an actual record to be considered and we can’t lose sight of it no matter how hard our attention is jerked in another direction.
Not too long ago there was a short-lived story regarding evidence that several members of the president’s staff had attachments to companies that received grants and loans totaling close to $4 billion ... hey look, the president can sing!
Marc Thomsen
Elk Grove Village