Eric Boehlert: How Beltway journalism is destroying our faith in government

[babylonsister]

https://pressrun.media/p/how-beltway-journalism-is-destroying

How Beltway journalism is destroying our faith in government
Both Sides Olympics
Eric Boehlert
1 hr ago


By purposely misreporting on Covid-19 relief that Democrats are trying to get passed over the year-long objections of Republicans, the press is deliberately undermining Americans' faith in government and its ability to respond to a national crisis. By pretending "Congress" is not able to function, and that "leaders" and "Washington" are failing the country, the press not only gives radical Republicans political cover, the news coverage has spread a dangerous lie during a national health crisis.

The long-term consequences of this colossal media failure could be dire, as reports pour in about anxious Americans furious with "Congress" for the lack of aid, even though the fault rests entirely with Republicans.

snip//

This was how a Congressional reporter for the Los Angeles Time explained the situation on Twitter this weekend [emphasis added]:

Dems passed a bill in May they knew had no chance w/ Republicans. The GOP didn't even consider it. Neither side spoke for months. It wasn't until millions of people were about to be harmed that they came back to the table. So yes, all of Congress waited until the last minute.

That truly is an astonishing lens through which to view scandalous Republican behavior. It's especially bewildering to blame Democrats in the House for passing a massive, $3.4 trillion Covid relief bill in May even though "they knew [it] had no chance w/ Republicans." Democrats were supposed to not pass a relief bill because they suspected Republicans in the Senate might not support it? That's now how the legislative process works. Worse, to then suggest "Congress" waited "until the last minute" to act, after just acknowledging that Democrats voted in May, makes no sense.

That's how committed journalists are to the Both Sides narrative —they're willing to twist themselves into pretzels to make sure "Washington" and "Congress" are to blame. And in the process they destroy faith in our government.

When Democrats recently tried to pass new relief that featured $2,000 checks to eligible Americans, a New York Times accused them of trying to "jam through" the bill, and referred to the move as "political theater."

There's nothing theatrical about trying to feed and shelter desperate Americans. It's what the government is supposed to do in times of crisis.

[Klaralven]

1. I wouldn't expect Congress to function much better in the next two years

With both houses near 50-50 splits it's not going to be smooth sailing.

[madeup64]

2. Yeah that's probably true

Even jf Dems take the Senate Sen. Manchin and "centrist" Republicans senators will be "worried" and "concerned" about any legislation that is supported by the left even mildly. And even if that doesn't do it, the Filibuster isn't going anywhere under Schumer most likely.

[HariSeldon]

6. I agree the situation is bleak, even with Senate control

The best I can hope for is that we do take control of the Senate, and then use a budget reconciliation bill to totally soak the rich...make them wail and gnash their teeth. Then offer slight easing of these measures as leverage to get Democratic priorities through to Biden's desk.

[Tommymac]

10. At least Sen Schumer will bring legislation to the floor for a vote.

It will not sit on his desk for years if he becomes Majority Leader.

GOTV GA - We must get Jon and Raphael to Washington NOW.

50/50 is HUGE.

[jaxexpat]

8. TIME OUT!

Congress and the constitution are functioning per their design, performing their mission perfectly.

How dare I say such a ludicrous thing? Such an obvious misstatement? A blatant untruth? Do I not read the news?

I say it because of the fact that the ONLY thing standing between societal dissolution and anarchy has been constitutional methodology such as that embodied in the two houses of congress. The House and the Senate work within guard rails, if you will. Those rails are also filters providing a sort of emission control. (At this time paper masks are sufficient.)

We have two viable parties in our system and one of them has gone substantially rogue. Many people are confused about which one. Their confusion is pretty easy to explain. It's that there are those who find profit in perpetuating the confusion and they've bought up the media through which people get their knowledge about current events. They've also bought up the majority of the minority party. (This, after placing a pretty high bid for the majority party. That expensive ploy elucidated them to the futility of trying to herd cats.)

Without the lies, used as currency in this free-for-all which we dubiously title "the national discussion", congress would be puttering along perfectly. But when confused people actually vote, like they do in alarming numbers these days, congress STILL manages to rein in the chaos. Granted, it's a close thing and a bit of scary drama at times but it's the absolute opposite of help to impugn congress in some blanket condemnation. The constitution is not a perfect document, not even close, but it does provide a framework wherein the majority has a good chance against the assholes of the world.

Don't take this on faith. Simply acknowledge the fact that it is congress, despite their memberships, and the USSC, despite its membership, which has, heretofore, curbed the most egregious excesses of Trump inc. and some other folks as well. When the owners and buyers, the assholes, try next time it will only be the same clunky congress which stands in the way.

place baby here .......
place bathwater here.

[ancianita]

13. +1000

Thank you. When journalism fails to inform our consent, the House Speaker is our source.

[Klaralven]

15. The constitution did not envision the current two-party system

The constitution does not design a system where the government is the arena for competition between two political parties.

That started during the Adams and Jefferson administrations, grew by Andrew Jackson's administration, and reached maturity under Lincoln and the aftermath of the Civil War.

It is not a particularly good system because the parties themselves are only vaguely democratic in their processes for anointing leadership, which allows for undue influence by factions, intraparty skulduggery, and interest group takeovers.

The two-party system also results in the greatest social division and conflict.

[theaocp]

3. This is why you do nothing but attack Republicans.

Whenever and wherever. You call them the problem. You pivot to attacking them at every opportunity. Here’s an unfunny joke you can tell: what’s in the way of helping people and rhymes with Republicans? Never stop. Ever.

[colsohlibgal]

4. A Proper Step

These are not normal times. This is 99% on the Republicans who sold whatever tiny Soul they had to this lying Grifter and his family of Grifters.

And when Biden takes over he better not say it is time to move on because it isn’t.....we can’t let New York do it all.

On top of all the malfeasance and criminality we need structural change to level the playing field.

[abqtommy]

7. What I see is that Beltway Journalism is destroying what's left of faith in Beltway Journalism.

[Garion_55]

9. the senate DID NOT HAVE TO PASS THE HOUSE BILL!!!

its like everyone forgot school house rock up there in dc.

house passes a bill. senate passes a bill. they come together and compromise a bill.

thats it.

the senate was unable to pass ANY kind of bill to get to the table with the house. thats the fault of mitch. its his job to get 60 votes on a bill

[DanieRains]

11. And Billionaires Own The Major Media Companies Stock

And are raking it in like never before.

Distract, steal, distract, steal and on, and on, and on.

Anyone else notice?

[Scubamatt]

12. So True, But . . .

Can’t agree more strongly with Boehlert’s observations about the mainstream media normalizing Republican obstructionism, and cloaking it in a “both sides do it” theme. BUT, why do we such a poor job at getting our message out? Where is our Faux News? Where are our Clear Channel Radio Stations? Where were Nancy and Chuck through this process (or their surrogates) chanting DAILY about the gamesmanship of the Republicans. (And, don’t get me wrong, I think Pelosi and Schumer do a masterful job of INSIDE politics - my critique is directed toward their externality outside the Beltway). The average American has to be force fed a message REPEATEDLY and CONSISTENTLY for it to sink in. I realize media ownership tilts the playing field against us, but we really do need to work harder and smarter about getting our message out than we currently do, AND need to make media reform a part of our platform (Bring back the Fairness Doctrine?).

[KS Toronado]

16. Congress will soon bring back the Fairness Doctrine, meanwhile...

We should be encouraging Hollywood to make movies about our political misfunctions, and hope they're
blockbusters. Start with one about how trumpig bullshitted his way into the White House only to enrich himself.

[ancianita]

20. Hope so. The original was revoked. Maybe that means a new law must be passed.

[KS Toronado]

14. Is it time to change the ways congress operates?

If the House creates a bill and passes it on to the Senate, they have to vote on it?
Every bill should be one issue and related issues only? No more building highways in a school budget.
That's just 2 ideas, I'm sure someone has even better ones.

[ffr]

17. Exactly! The press has failed us, with the both sides do it bullshit!

I listen and I watch, but as soon as anyone speaks using such language, it goes off.

Unfortunately, a lot of people hear and belief what they want to believe based on what they're being told by the press. Until Americans can stand on their own two feet and think for themselves, it's up to the press to inform them.

[c-rational]

18. Yes it is the corporate media, the reThuglican media. They will frame the message to suit them.

We should learn that. Maybe the Dems should have passed the same or similar bill each week, similar to the Rethugs passing repeal acts for Obamacare. Then hold weekly press conferences excoriating the imbalanced new coverage and both siderism.

We often speak how the reThugs are (for want of a better word) better (more effective) at messaging. Might it possibly be due to the fact that at heart Dems are just better people, wiser inividuals and as is stated in the Dhammapada...

Never offend
By what you think say and do.

[Bobstandard]

19. Rerfect example: Trumps veto threat

Anybody could see that Trumps threat to veto the anemic pandemic response bill was just more of his BS. He’s pulled the same stunt before and the (forgive me, but..) lamestream media doesn’t just fall for if, they run with it!

And now they’ll dismiss Pelosi’s attempt to get a $2000 check to suffering Americans a political theatre instead of an attempt to deliver desperately needed aid.

[betsuni]

21. K&R