Perspective - Media Influence
I have been in discussion with an old work acquaintance discussing politics. What I find fascinating is he is a smart man. I know him to be thorough and usually precise yet here he seems to by design or unawares bias to only focus on information that aligns with his feelings and fears, like too many other Americans I know. Today we were discussing how the Left (extreme Liberals) focused on Trump and the Russian collusion, which turned up nothing yet they still believe it. I agreed with him that they do continue to believe and that liberal media promotes that, but Conservatives and conservative media do no better promoting the premise that Trump won the 2020 election and that conservative media promotes the 'stolen election' and voter fraud. below was my response to him regarding his claim that there was significant voter fraud...
Certainly. Any
illegality concerns me. But to think
that there is no fraud anywhere (on either side) is ludicrous in fact
naïve.
But what is important is that fraud significant enough to overturn an election?
Now I used to work as a poll worker when I lived in Indiana. I work as one now living in Wisconsin. I cannot attest that every state’s elections
are great but I can in those two. The
redundancies in place, the cross checks by people of both parties present both
for in-person voting AND mail-in ballots is awesome. I wish every American was involved in their
systems it would greatly reduce the skepticism.
But aside from my personal perspective let’s apply logic to this:
1] Multiple states (under Democratic AND Republican
oversight) have audited and re-audited and even re-re-audited their state
results and found NO indication of voter fraud significant enough to overturn
the election. Arizona even found hundred
more votes for Biden. Georgia is a
completely Republican state election team from Governor down and no fraud
found.
2] YouTube videos show fraud. This to me
is the height of wanting to find a lie and cutting the video to prove it. Every single YouTube video from the ‘boxes
under the table’ to the ‘truck delivering votes’ was independently reviewed and
the FULL video found to contain no fraud but a real / valid explanation even
after independent investigations.
3] Now let’s go further to those who say they have evidence
but have NEVER produced it. And I don’t
want to hear about the media… there are so many conservative and moderate media
outlets that would LOVE to break the story of the century. But the data never appears. Mike Lindell – even on his own TV channel and
media outlet doesn’t show it.
And really – Trump is a powerful man… just ask him, he’ll tell you there is no
one smarter or better and he has powerful friends and none of them can bring
this data / information into light of day.
Well if that is true… if the liberal Democrats are that
smart and devious to over throw the election and thwart all attempts to bring
the data to light… then aren’t we screwed?
C’mon – they are NOT that smart.
4] Even at the last moment in Congress no evidence was
brought forward. Granted 137 Republicans
voted to not approve the results but the rest did and with the Democrats the
vote was passed. If any 1 person had
brought evidence you don’t think that could have swayed at minimum ALL
Republicans – perhaps even Pence?
So – to my point about media. The Liberal focus on racism and use that as
their battering ram, while the Conservatives harp on a rigged election and that
mail in ballots are fraught with peril (even though 8 states use only mail in
voting)
Table
18: States With All-Mail Elections (ncsl.org)
People don’t trust because they don’t know and when the
“snake oil salesman” comes to town and tells them – well they believe it if it
matches what they want to believe.
People don’t understand their government, they see only the
superficial. I ran for office years ago
(lost) but learned a lot and that is why I am actively involved ever since. Its not a perfect system… there isn’t one…
but if people understood it. Really
understood it and did the work necessary to keep freedom it would be
awesome. But instead they listen to
select media and crap commentators never checking things.
Too many take freedom for granted.
There is a saying: “Tough times make for strong men. Strong
me conquer tough time and make them good.
Good times make for weak men who end up making times tough.”
I believe we are in a time where too many people are spoiled
and weak and think every freedom is essential forgetting the premise of the
Contitution’s Preamble:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote
the general Welfare, and secure the
Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish
this Constitution for the United States of America.
Freedoms without consideration for others is Anarchy.
Freedoms based upon the strength of the few or one is Autocracy.
So my friend responds with this...
So its the Republicans that promote cheating hey. That's their deal? Hilary throughout Trumps entire term said 'Trump knows he's an illegitimate President' She trumpeted that he cheated and still does. How about Stacey Abrams. Come on Tony. Go back and read everything I have said about the election. Never once did I say it would have overturned the election. In fact I even said Pence did exactly what he should have. My biggest issue is that Democrats are trying to loosen not strengthen the integrity of our voting system. If you can deny that I would be shocked! Are you ok that Republican poll watchers were sent home in Atlanta under the supposed water main break which never actually happened. Are you ok that in PA Republican poll watchers were left to stand outside the room and then election officials covered windows with cardboard? When activities like that go on our election system will be viewed as corrupt by whatever party loses. Not just Republicans
So I wasn't sure how to respond. I never want to alienate someone or anger them, and even after I re-read this I felt I had not accused them so this was my response...
Hi (Name Deleted)
First, let me clarify that I am not accusing you but making
the point that media on both sides slant things.
Now to address your DM in order…
So its the
Republicans that promote cheating hey.
Now where did you get that from my post? I said that many ‘believe’ that the election
was fraudulent, not that they did anything fraudulent.
Never once did
I say it would have overturned the election. In fact I even said Pence did
exactly what he should have.
Agree – you never said that.
I was using it as an example of how the left plays the race card and
right plays the fraud card. But it does
seem apparent from your post that you think there may have been extensive
wrongdoing.
My biggest
issue is that Democrats are trying to loosen not strengthen the integrity of
our voting system. If you can deny that I would be shocked! Are you ok that
Republican poll watchers were sent home in Atlanta under the supposed water
main break which never actually happened. Are you ok that in PA Republican poll
watchers were left to stand outside the room and then election officials
covered windows with cardboard? When activities like that go on our election
system will be viewed as corrupt by whatever party loses. Not just Republicans.
I guess I will deny that.
Each of the items you mention were facets of the total truth. The Governor of Ga (Republican) As was the
entire voting / election staff.
Check out this link. Georgia
Elections Director to Leave Position - The Georgia Star News
You never addressed each of my bullet points in regard to
extensive fraud. I believe the election
was done correctly. I believe that mail
in voting (as it was done in Wi) is as safe as in-person. The redundant checks and cross-checks are
amazing.
I think the integrity of our voting system is fine but could
always be better. But I also believe you
don’t strengthen it by eliminating methods of voting (Mail-in or drop box). You find ways to make voting easier and more
readily available to all, just do it with securities in place.
For example, in Wi – voter ID is required.
Each in-person vote is checked against a register and cross
check by at minimum 2 other people not of the same party. Any person who has no
ID cannot vote. Voter ID is by license, power
bill with their specific name on it matching the address on file and the
process goes much further.
Mail-in is no different.
The ballots are received PRIOR to election day and verified that only 1
ballot received per registered person.
On election day a special team of Dems & Reps open the mail-ins and
verify proof of ID (submitted previously with ballot request) and then follow
the same process as thouh that person had come in themselves to vote.
So, to summarize, I don’t think you believe the election was
fraudulent unless you tell me otherwise.
I think the systems across the country have withstood test
after test both run by the states AND by independent agencies.
I think that the fraudulent hype is a red herring by the far
right because NO ONE has produced any info to the contrary and they have plenty
of media platforms to do so.
I believe the system can be improved but NOT by restricting
anyone’s ability to vote in any way. IMO that is the first step toward
Autocracy.
And I agree with you that Dems and Reps both play that card
but to Al Gore’s credit, while he felt otherwise, he openly supported the
Supreme Court decision in a peaceful proper transition of power unlike
President Trump who to this day says it was a fraudulent election.
Stuff like that is how democracy ends in my opinion.
These are discussions that need to happen more often but BOTH people need to supply proof of what they believe or think. We must be able to substantiate our viewpoint or then at least be open to understanding the others if they have evidence.
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