What is fair? MUST things be balanced?

The term "fair" can mean many things to many people. In baseball, a ball struck by a bat is foul or fair. A fair raffle would be based on drawing tickets completely at random. Both of these examples are measurable and certifiable.

On the other hand, the definition of a fair day will vary based upon personal experience. In the game of golf, less talented players are given a handicap to make the game fair. In public education, there is a movement to "level the playing field" in order to foster a fair society. In these examples, fairness is subjective.

Children will claim, "That's not fair!" when given directives by an adult. Often, this is because they are not aware of the broader knowledge base from which the adult is operating.

So, what does it mean when the news media claims to be fair? To me, "fair" in this context should mean "based in truth, with a commitment to pursue truth beyond the limits of political correctness and popular ratings".

"Balanced." Hmm... I think of Lady Justice holding her scale. I think of me sitting on one end of a teeter-totter in kindergarten, facing a friend at the opposite end. By dangling our legs carefully forward or back we were able to maintain the board parallel to the ground. Sometimes I would face two friends or more. If I leaned backward, and they sat closer to the center, or fulcrum, we could achieve balance.

I do NOT think of the Fairness Doctrine, which insists that every point of view should get equal exposure - hence, balancing the coverage.

I do NOT think that thirty or sixty minutes of network news should be bundled so that we have neatly distributed, predictable coverage that balances the time available and still leaves time for commercials. (How is it possible that the major rival networks cover nearly the same stories in nearly the same order day after day?)

In nature and in world events, balance is a dynamic principle, involving random and disproportionate as well as repeating events that perpetuate the existence of our planet and its inhabitants. I don't think that balancing coverage of events is a desirable characteristic of journalism. To attempt to make it so is to arbitrarily move the events closer to, or further away from the fulcrum; an even more contemptible practice is to leave them off the teeter-totter entirely, in order to project the illusion of having balanced coverage.

I think that true principles should get more coverage than false ones. I think that the good guys should get more exposure than the bad guys. (I think obscurity is what many criminals deserve, except when public safety is an issue, when their fate can serve as a deterrent, or when their lives change for the better and their progress can become an inspiration to others.) I think the different networks should develop original and unique formats for collection and dissemination of news, so that we can vary our viewing and try to more fairly put things in balance for ourselves.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Response to President Obama

THE WHITEHOUSE
WASHINGTON

Good afternoon,

Over the past few years, many Americans have seen their health insurance premiums skyrocket, while the quality of their health care declined. One of the reasons I pushed so hard to pass health care reform this year was to make sure that American consumers get what they pay for when it comes to their health care.

Today, we're launching a new provision of the Affordable Care Act that does exactly that. Next year, insurance companies will be required to spend at least 80 percent of the health insurance premiums you pay on your health care, instead of overhead costs like advertising and executive compensation. If they don't, they will be required to give you a rebate or cut your premiums starting in 2012.

I asked Nancy-Ann DeParle, the Director of the Office of Health Reform here at the White House, to break down what this means for you and why it's so important:




This new rules will make our health care marketplace more transparent and ensure you get the best value for your premium dollars. And it is just one of the many parts of the Affordable Care Act that are already making our health care system stronger. Here are just a few ways the Affordable Care Act is helping you and your family:

HealthCare.gov. This new website helps you find private health insurance coverage that's right for you and your family and now allows you to compare pricing for the options available to you. In 2014, there will be many more affordable private plan choices.

Patient's Bill of Rights. Insurance companies can no longer place lifetime limits on your care. If you're a young adult under the age of 26, you can stay on your parents' plan, and if your child has a pre-existing condition, insurance companies can't deny his or her coverage.

Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. If you have a pre-existing condition and are having a problem finding coverage, the Affordable Care Act created a special insurance plan just for you.
Help for Small Businesses. If you're a small business owner, you may be eligible for tax credits to help provide insurance for your employees.

Free Preventive Care. If you're purchasing a new plan, you’ll get preventive care like cancer screenings, well-baby and well-child check-ups, and blood pressure or diabetes tests for free.
These aren't just talking points. These changes are saving people’s lives and saving you money, and we will continue our work to implement this landmark law and make our health care system better for all of us.

Sincerely,
President Barack Obama



THE WHITE AND BLUE HOUSE
LA MESA

Dear Mr. President,
I am in receipt of your emailed letter of this date on the subject of health care reform. I found it disturbing. The actions you propose, and the rationale you offer for taking them do not match my perception of reality. Yes, my insurance premiums have increased through the years. I attribute this to inflation generally...a flaming inflation fanned by yours and by the previous administrations' fiscal policies. The quality of my health care has not diminished. If anything, it has improved.

To punish the insurance companies -- in this case by forcing them to restructure -- is a governmental abuse of private enterprise. The market, driven by consumer behavior, is capable of straightening out our health care system.

You have exquisite skills in community organization. I think your skills would be better used in educating and organizing consumers in matters of health care and health care insurance, rather than in villifying and brutalizing the corporations that actually provide services and jobs for our citizens.

Very respectfully,
Bradley L. Hill
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)