originally posted 2008-01-21 12:29:56 -0500

I have promoted and bumped this post because I think it is really important in light of last night's Democratic debate. For more of my thoughts see my comment below.

I feel I've seen this movie before ...

The players are different, but the set is the same.

The puppeteers and myth-makers are out in force, pulling those strings and spinning those myths.

Media Reform Information Center

In 1983, 50 corporations controlled the vast majority of all news media in the U.S.
...

in 2000, the number had fallen to six. Since then, there have been more mergers and the scope has expanded to include new media like the Internet market. More than 1 in 4 Internet users in the U.S. now log in with AOL Time-Warner, the world's largest media corporation.

Minor adjustment and edit by GreyHawk. See comments...

Revised by Carol, No changes but update.I had a series of physical mishaps last week and so was not ontop of all the exciting (and otherwise) posts. The way that CNN deliberate shapes the political debate is not only infuriating but dangerous. By substituting lies and trivia and a good dose of horse rate mentality into their coverage, they no doubt succeed in channelling voters thinking, even I imagine critics such as myself. So I am front-paging this now to bring more intention to the situation.

I have done this by using the "revision" button. I have changed nothing in the text. I am not sure how this works but we shall all see.

Once again in the Corporate Media makes an "Executive Decision", about who America should see as their Viable Choices:

Hillary Clinton
Barack Obama
John McCain
Rudy Giuliani
Mike Huckabee
Mitt Romney

Only these Candidates were the Focus of the latest CNN Poll

Where is John Edwards in this Poll?

Let this serve as a warning to Edwards, and any other Candidate that would DARE to put the issues of "Economic Populism" back on the National Agenda:

LA Times - Jan 07, 2008
Chamber targets anti-business candidates

The mantra of the 80's and 90's was "Greed is Good!"

The mantra of the 00's seems to be "The World runs on Greed and Fear -- Get used to it!"

promoted by Carol. I recommend not missing the end which gives a very personal perspective of what the Edwards campaign represents.

When you ask people who are the Great American Presidents, you are likely to get a lot of different answers -- JFK, FDR, Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, among others.

But why do People name them? What did they do that was extraordinary?

All Presidents face challenges -- but why do some of them "rise to the occasion, and excel beyond all expectations?"

What is it that makes them Leaders?

John Edwards:

This isn't about petty politics or good intentions.

Corporate greed and influence in Washington are stealing our children's future.

The moral test of our generation is whether we're going to allow this broken system to go on without a fight or take on corporate greed and stand up for the middle class and American jobs before it's too late.

They aren't going to just give their power away.

Saving the middle class is going to be an epic battle, and that's a fight I was born for.