Principles, Publicity, and Public Health

I started my work on this blog with the full intent of covering the media circus surrounding the government shutdown and Obamacare.  I was going to point out some of the illustrative language used by both sides of the debate such as “holding America hostage” and similar emotion inducing statements.  But then I read the headlines about Ted Cruz’s marathon speech from the senate floor.  Ted Cruz had control of the senate floor since 2:41 pm on Tuesday afternoon and maintained the floor until 12:00 pm today. 

Headlines captured the bias of the media organizations for example

·         Fox’s headline read “Cruz vows to speak against ObamaCare until unable ‘to stand,’ as vote looms” 

·         CNN said “Obamacare: not in a box. Not with a fox.”   “As shutdown looms, Cruz reads from Dr. Seuss.”

·         Washington Post – “Senator Cruz continues night-long attack on Obamacare

·         New York Times – “Senator persists battling health law, irking even many in his own party.”

Though it is true that Cruz did read from Dr. Seuss during his 21 hours at the podium there were many other issues that he addressed such as full time workers being transitioned to part-time employment, politicians who don’t listen to the people, and small business owners.  Mark Rubio answered questions posed by Cruz regarding how Obamacare would have adversely impacted his family when he was young and Cruz was also supported in his views by other senators since from the time that he maintained the floor. 

Now that the marathon speech of Cruz is over the headlines are no more helpful than they were during the more than 21 hours that captured the attention of the media.  Only now the headlines read after more than 21 hours on the floor Cruz votes with the democrats.  It is fascinating to me that the 100-0 vote is publicized all in of the mainstream news outlets and internet, but the idea that the senators voted for cloture is completely lost in translation.  The senators voted unanimously that the issue proceed to be debated in the House of Representative.  Another vote on the issues at large is expected to be held on Friday.