Media and Public Policy

I appreciate the watchdog role of the media. Too often, though, the media engages in helpless hand-wringing that only serves to further disengage the public. In its varying forms, the charges are the same -- elected officials are in it for themselves and could care less about the public and, by the way, they respond only to special interests, not constituents. Those predisposed to believe such conspiracy theories are further inflamed, and those who are not are further turned off to the entire process.

I wonder if it is cause or effect that, in my very politically-active corner of the state, the newspaper editorializes in a constructive manner (e.g., the County surely didn't break any laws; in fact, it probably made the right decision; but, no gold stars are awarded for the process followed, and more input should be expected in the future. And, not a single suggestion that the officials involved are sorry human beings). This is the type of watchdogging that leads to increased citizen involvement and, ultimately, to results.

If any constituent wants to talk to me, my cell phone number is 435/668-7759.