The introduction of healthcare reforms is ripping America apart. I don’t recall any issue since Vietnam provoking such vitriol.
According to Republicans, Obama is the devil incarnate, steamrollering damaging reform onto a reluctant nation, while most Democrats believe it to be the President’s finest accomplishment.
Battle lines are drawn and the spread of misinformed anecdotes rampant. I actually heard one commentator say that Obama’s healthcare reforms will result in America having a UK style system where accident victims are left on the side of the road for hours.
It’s impossible to gain an independent perspective of the pros and cons from the media.
The quality of debate is stifled by TV anchormen who refuse to allow open discussion, frequently interrupting any interviewee who voices an opposing view to their own.
How I longed for John Humphries to probe and tease out the facts. It seemed so amateur compared to our current affairs programmes.
The radio presenters ranted like lunatics, making any semblance of discussion impossible.
I didn’t have time to explore every available channel, but I was eternally grateful to return home to Radio Four.
The views expressed are Vic Barlow’s and not necessarily those of the Express
