1. A voter | 10.12.09

The president should really be more concerned with issues that affect this country and not so focused on Fox News. He is working overtime to discredit anything associated with conservatism in his efforts to push socialism on this country. Mr. President we are citizens too and we have the right to have our voices heard just as you do, please don’t go after news agency just because you don’t like what they say. Freedom of Speech is one of our basic rights.

2. A patriot | 10.12.09

To “A Voter,”

You’re the problem with this country. Misinformed, paranoid and downright ignorant.

Please illustrate in what way the President is “pushing socialism on this country.” Are you referring to health care reform? Do you realize that a government option would increase competitive prices among health insurers, thus reinforcing the foundation of our free-market capitalism? The exacty opposite of socialism?

Or perhaps you’re referring to the concern over medicare which is–gasp–socialized medicine!

The White House is only concerned about Fox News, because Fox has a tendency of letting its editorial and journalistic content co-mingle–something that can be dangerous to the ignorant, gullible public–namely, you.

3. Macca | 10.12.09

A voter,

Your use of the word “socialism” proves a point. You do not know the difference between a news program or an opinion program.

4. javier diaz | 10.12.09

The president is doing the right thing to defend against a propaganda machine from the right wing and the republican party. I am tired of Fox news manipulating, misleading and misinforming the public with their right wing ****. Fox pretends that they are a news and uses the pulpit to preach criticism that is vindictive, untrue and slanted. Democrats are pictured as unloyal,liberal slanted and socialist. We have survived eight years of republican misgoverment which almost bakrupted our country and not once did fox criticise Bush for his poor goverment.

5. Another voter | 10.12.09

Dear A Voter,

Obama is exactly as socialist as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Teddy Roosevelt. Seriously. But in turning genuine conservative politics into a circus of outlandish statements designed to boost ratings, whatever the damage might turn out to be to Republic of the United States, the last thirty years of entertainment masked as commentary has stripped all meaning from words describing political positions. We can’t even have political conversations anymore because or it.

Another Voter

6. Another voter | 10.12.09

I’m sure the minute that his comments occupied cost the world dearly. I suppose in the hour it took for Bush to give his “mission accomplished” speech he could have really been killing Bin Laden.

Push socialism on this country? Next you’re going to ask to see his birth certificate.

You are aware that Regan was asleep with alzheimers for half of his presidency and Bush hit the sack at 9pm every night?

7. Laurie | 10.12.09

Hmm. It seems Obama has only one network negative toward him, and quite a few favorable. While Bush had one somewhat favorable, Fox News, and all of the rest a “burr in his saddle.” Doesn’t seem to me Obama has much to complain about. Unless, some truth reaching the public is spoiling his plans to “fundamentally transform” the US from a free market economy to a socialist country. Will he have to silence the free press before he can perform his “transformation”! Who is it he has working on this? Mark Lloyd? Cass Sunstein?

8. Susan | 10.13.09

With all due respect, we are already a socialist country based on the fact that 43 percent of our nation’s working to not pay federal taxes. That happened a long time ago. We should at some point admit to it instead of running from it crying foul. The problem with admitting to it is that we would also have to admit it is precisely all the social re-engineering that is taking us down. We promised too much without properly funding all those promises. It is interesting that during the campaign it was the focus of the Obama campaign to pledge to bring back the middle class by reducing their tax burden. Well when the stimulus lacked help for private business and instead shored up social programs that do not create jobs and therefore do not create national wealth, those middle/lower income citizens got the pink slip. As you can see from the stock market, businesses have figured out a way to not only reduce head count, but cut expenses as well and still show a profit. They won’t be hiring anytime soon thanks to the threat of increased energy tax, health care cost,VAT tax, capital gain tax, inheritance tax, etc. On top of that banks in the past 3 mos. are lending even fewer dollars to business owners for equipment purchases, expansions, and business expenses like payroll. The primary source of start-up money for small business was home equity which for many now is non-existent.

With regards to FOX, anybody advocating that it is healthy for the POTUS to be obsessed with a cable channel and their opinions should change citizenship and move to the world of Chavez. They have only ONE radio station now that is not state run. If it had been Bush aiming his guns at MSNBC because of their daily tirades against his policies, the progressives/liberal would be protesting in the streets. Chris Wallace is right. This WH is a bunch of whiners.

9. Warren | 10.13.09

I wonder how all of you people who are defending the President’s decision feel about how MSNBC has covered Obama, with all of the “tingling feelings” that the reporters/commentators at that network get when they see Obama. Or how about the viciousness of CNN and MSNBC towards the previous president, most of which was NOT directed at his policies, but more at him personally (he’s an idiot, a drunk, a war criminal, etc.). I don’t think you would be saying the same is Bush’s spokesperson had come out and said these things about MSNBC. You would have called it childish, and talked about how Bush was trying to subvert freedom of the press.

Please, try and convince me that you wouldn’t have responded that way if Bush had done the exact same thing. I’m up for a good laugh.

The double standard is so apparent. Remember the “Socialism” poster about Obama that surfaced a few months ago, and how people who supported Obama were furious at the “racist” depiction of him (how it was racist I still don’t know and no one has been able to explain to me). But none of you were upset when the same poster was done to Bush. Back then, it was a worthy political statement and “speaking truth to power”.

It’s sad, but you people have actually become exactly what you despised the Republicans/conservatives for being. You called them lemmings for thinking that Bush could do no wrong and supporting him blindly. Well, take a good look in the mirror, you’ll see a lemming staring back at you.

10. B | 10.13.09

To ‘A Voter’
This isn’t a free speech issue. No one has denied (or is actively working to deny) Fox News of their 1st Amendment rights. This is simply holding them responsible for their content.
And before you throw around words like ’socialism’ learn what they actually mean.

11. AWBilinski | 10.13.09

Partisan politics by a major media outlet? Shocked I am! Almost as shocked by the accusations of a socialist agenda … well … not really given the amount of tax breaks afforded to corporations, not to mention TARP money which was doled put by the Bushies without benefit of a receipt to say where it went and whatever other example of wealth reallocation that has been going on under various administrations albeit with a different name. Still, I do feel that civil discourse is taking a hit and that Fox News (read: Rupert Murdoch) is a major contributor to this deterioration. But, I also feel our President needs to get beyond this kind of attitude. Fox and the Hard Right are not going away and are just as much a part of the democratic process as the Democratic Far Left. They all have a voice and attempting to freeze them out shows Obama as untrue to democratic principles while simply giving Fox the opportunity to wrap itself in self-righteousness. Not a pretty sight I assure you. I mean, can you imagine Mike Huckabee wrapped in an American Flag like a toga? The image does leave me feeling a bit nauseous. Besides, Mr. Obama should read up on his Machiavelli; Hold your friends close and your enemies closer. Cheers!

12. L Turner | 10.13.09

Since the government has bailed out banks, investment firms, and GM, they now own banks and a car company and are now talking about getting into the health insurance business. Of course they are funding this with increased taxation on those greedy wealthy capitalists they are trying to restrict salaries for, but less tax burden on the poor at the same time they give them more benefits. Sure sounds like the definition below in its early stages–like the frog in the stock pot, some people may not realize there’s a problem until the water boils. As for myself, I can see the handwriting on the wall, and the government wants more of my money because they are going into a level of debt that we can never repay China. And when China owns American, we WILL be socialists if not worse.

Socialism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Socialism refers to various theories of economic organization advocating public or direct worker ownership and administration of the means of production and allocation of resources, and a society characterized by equal access to resources for all individuals with a method of compensation based on the amount of labor expended.
Most socialists share the view that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital and derives its wealth through exploitation, creates an unequal society, does not provide equal opportunities for everyone to maximise their potentialities and does not utilise technology and resources to their maximum potential nor in the interests of the public.

13. JC | 10.14.09

What is our public education system, or transportation, or postal service, etc. SOCIALISM!?!?!?! Doesn’t the private industry compete within each of these realms? Charter schools, Fed-EX, etc? Plus, everyone is so worried about gov’t interfering with business, but doesn’t business already interfere (and own) most of our politicians? What’s the big deal then? Maybe some of these private enterprises should be held accountable. Try spouting about socialism when your insurance company won’t cover your illness, or a pre-exisiting condition, but then you are charged an arm and a leg for services that can be taken away. That’s a brilliant profit model, and it comes at our expense. I’m willing to bet that most of these morons who declare that this is socialist, in fact have insurance or are just too stupid to realize how they are being jipped!

14. Sri | 10.14.09

@Turner. Thanks for the Wiki definition of socialism. As I recall, wasn’t President Bush first involved in buying up banks, insurance firms and even car companies before Obama got into the bandwagon ?
This is a political, social and financial need - not a naive descent into socialism as you and other Bush apologists suggest. If you want to know what socialism is, maybe you should spend a few years in socialist countries (try Canada and Europe for a start).

15. Eric | 10.14.09

@Sri. Based on LTurner’s comment I don’t think he as fond of W’s steps toward socialism either. Just because someone criticizes Obama doesn’t mean that he liked W or is a “Bush apologist”.

There are many reasons why I don’t want America to be like the countries that you mentioned…and yes, I have lived outside of the USA and I’m glad to be back.

16. Independent | 10.14.09

Everyone has their prejudices - but don’t try to hide it behind ’socialism’ - Obama is not pushing socialism any more than any other president - he’s asking for responsibility, good-will and collectively making this place a better place. Republicans are not happy with that. Why? It’s easier to follow our TV mascot Glenn Beck than to allow for free thinking. Switch off the TV everybody - try to find your national pride again - I know it’s hard after having our country mocked for 8 long years, but deep down inside is the truth. In our progressive conciousness we did something great by breaking down conventions - let’s have some faith in the guy that we voted into power and give him the benefit of the doubt. If all else fails, we can vote in Palin next time around!

17. Jimb | 10.14.09

George W. Bush nationalized the entire airport security industry in mid September, 2001, even though the people working those free market jobs at Logan airport did nothing wrong. FoxNews’ commentators did not complain about this encroachment on free enterprise by the government. In autumn 2001 the government bailed out the airlines. The Department of Homeland Security was a new cabinet level bureaucracy, which FoxNews applauded.

Laurie claims that FoxNews was “somewhat favorable” of Bush (way to downplay one’s personal cheerleading squad). There is no way that Rupert Murdoch’s cable channel can be considered Fair & Balanced when they heavily invest in promoting anti-government protests and spurring the crowds that show up at those corporate sponsored events.

Maybe CNN and MSNBC spent money on anti-government protests during Bush’s administration. But if they did I’m sure FoxNews would still be talking about that.

18. Dena King | 10.14.09

It would be interesting to see inside the hearts and minds of all the strong opinions going back and forth and see what lies at the basis of it. What truly creates such strong feelings? Only the speaker knows. These polarized positions reflect fear/something that threatens a difference in opinion? Who benefits most by each of these positions? The arguments will go on and on but can we remember that the most important thing is not personally maligning people for doing what they think is best but calling the issues to task to ensure that truthfulness, forthrightness, and what our country was founded on: “…a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation..” {you can find the rest in the Declaration of Independence} are ensured.

19. Deb | 10.14.09

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the FREEDOM OF SPEECH, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.(1)

(1) US Constitution; Bill of Rights; Amendment I.

It’s pretty clear to me that right is guaranteed to all … from the highest office in the Land to the highest rated entertainment channel.

20. A second voter | 10.14.09

Socialism is using the results of each worker to benefit the society as a whole. Punishing those who are healthy by madating they pay a fine in order to opt out of having health care is socialism. A government who wants to control “to big to fail” companies is socialism. Our country is a mixture of both capitalism and socialism. It’s not if but how far we go that has people upset.

For those who say that FOX news is a problem it’s because they either never watched it since their minds were made up. Or they watched one show or saw the highlights on the Huff Post and weren’t strong enough to view it with an open mind and judge forthemselves. I have watched MSNBC and will watch some shows but over all I find they are too far to the left for my taste. Just like some on FOX are too far to the right for me. But I’m a big boy and I can decide for myself, wait isn’t FOX always saying “We report, you decide”?

21. Journalism 4.0? | 10.15.09

This issue isn’t about socialism or capitalism or Bush or Obama (or {most} of their respective policies for that matter)- it’s about responsibility in the media, and the need for there to be a clear separation between news and entertainment.
All the major network “news” broadcasters are guilty of pandering and sensationalizing in the battle for viewers and profits (’I'm Just Saying…’ . Really? Who told you this segment was a good idea?)

Democracy (or representative republics) cannot -cannot- survive without an informed public. And the masses cannot be truly informed until there is both personal & corporate responsibility. It is up to us to demand change, and deny our dollars if those demands are ignored.

When will the News Revolution begin?

22. third voter | 11.09.09

I shall sum up everyone’s debate with a quote from by Margaret Thatcher…. “The problem with socialism is.. sooner or later you run out of everyone elses money” anyone after me choosing to try to debate that fact is pretty much futile. One other thing, when you tax the rich, and companies that provide careers for the middle class and poor, then what you get is less pay and less jobs to the middle class and poor. When the top has to pay more then it will always cause a increase in prices for goods, less pay raises and less jobs to the middle and bottom. Funny thing is you never hear how the left which is for these tax hikes to the rich how it will not affect everything all the way down to the bottom. You do not have to have a degree to see that just common sense.