Complexities

All of us have a variety of opinions regarding the issues of the day. Should we get out of Afghanistan and Iraq? Was it right to go into Libya? What is the best way to solve the nation's economic problems? Should gay marriage be legalized? Should Social Security and Medicare benefits be reduced? Should we legalize marijuana? Were the bailouts instigated by Pres. Obama at the beginning of his administration the right thing to do?

The very simple point is that these are complex problems. Unless the average citizen takes hours to research them, we cannot know the enough of the subtleties of these problems to make proper decisions regarding them. In the process of watching TV news, listening to the radio or even reading news magazines, we cannot dissect these issues sufficiently to make rational decisions regarding these complexities. The leaders of our nation and states have information we cannot fathom and, often, for security reasons, things we cannot know.

We each have our opinions. I will express many of mine in this blog. Because of the complexities involved, sometimes I'll be right and at times I'll be wrong. Let us each realize that we are fettered by blinders. Blinders that do not give us the whole view and blinders of our own prejudices. Blinders are also provided by whatever source we use to form opinions and gather news. Every source is limited by its own points of view. The late author, Michael Crichton, advocated that as often as possible, the citizenry should watch C-SPAN. He suggested C-SPAN is a primary source unfiltered by the prejudices of those who present the news. He was right, but watching C-SPAN to gather information would be a lengthy process.

Personally, I prefer the PBS Newshour and NPR for my news. Of course, they are filtered also, but at least there is enough discussion and depth that I feel somewhat accurate judgements may be made in spite of the filtering. Occasionally, I will watch TV network news, but very seldom. National and local broadcasts engage in too much filtering and are too focused on entertainment values.

I advocate listening, watching and reading a variety of sources from different  of points of view. Realize we are being manipulated from many sides, but in examining a variety of sources at least some of the complexities will be broken down.