OK, so I may not be a "regular poster" here, but I have been reading the boards since the "AOR/Hard Rock Hot Spot" days. and I couldn't agree more with Michigan Girl's post.
When I first registered to vote, I registered as a democrat, since my family have been lifelong dems. I found that most of the time, I didn't agree with their policies and agendas (the same as I didn't agree with republicans a lot of the time as well),so I became an independent in 92 (I voted for Perot).
There is hypocrisy on
BOTH sides. Case in point, compare some of the headlines between Obama's Inauguration and Bush's 2nd Inauguration.
Headlines On Inauguration Day Date 4 Years Ago:
"Republicans spending $42 million on inauguration whilei troops die in unarmored Humvees"
"Bush extravagance exceeds any reason during tough economic times"
"Fat cats get their $42 million inauguration party, ordinary Americans get the shaft"
Headlines on Obama Inauguration Day:
"Historic Obama Inauguration will cost only $120 million"
"Obama Spends $120 million on inauguration; America Needs A Big Party"
"Everyman Obama shows America how to celebrate"
"Citibank executives contribute $8 million to Obama Inauguration"
The other point is why is there such an uproar over Limbaugh's comments?
MSNBC has 2 anchors (Olberman and Matthews) that are flat out Obama supporters, and
EVERYONE knows this.
Why should Obama give a rat's ass what Limbaugh has to say, when their are just as many in the media that are supporters of him.
In fact, didn't his own Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, say during the Bush Administration
"I'm sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and disagree with this administration, somehow you're not patriotic. We need to stand up and say we're Americans, and we have the right to debate and disagree with any administration". Why is this situation any different.
I also think the "Fairness Doctrine" is unfair. This is America, shouldn't we be allowed to voice our opinions and say what we want? If you don't like what is being said or broadcast on radio or tv, shouldn't you just change the dial? This is the major reason that Howard Stern and other broadcasters went to Satellite Radio, for the freedom to say what you want.
The bottom line is that supporters of both partys in this country, are going to side with their party 95% of the time.
Any broadcaster or political commentator with ANY integrity will call out their party's leadership when they are wrong (which for the most party I see neither side do).
People should vote on candidates stances on issues( be them Dem or Repub),not because of party loyalty.
I have voted for both Dems and Repubs in my lifetime.
I truly wish there where viable Independent candidates to choose from. Unfortunatley, most of the indy's have turned out to be crack pots.
I think there should be a 3rd party called the "common sense" party. In my opinion, that's what this country really needs.
The bottom line is, their is bias and hypocrisy on both sides. One side of a political party is just as guilty as the other.