I listen to XM satellite radio every morning on my way to work, and every evening on my way home from work. Since I have a 70-mile one way commute, I get more exposure to news and politics than I would imagine a typical commuter does.
It occurred to me this morning while listening to ABC News that the United States of America has turned into a panic factory. We are fed stress all day long from hundreds of sources. You would think the world is about to end any day now based on the clamor coming out of my radio every day. Television is no different. Everything is designed and presented in a way that enhances or overstates whatever issue is being discussed. Here are some examples of the issues as presented through the eyes of ABC this morning:
Global warming – we’re all going to die underwater SOON! Luckily we have hundreds of artists who will sing about this issue until you are sick of it.
Iraq – no hope. It’s well past time to give up and get out. Nothing but death and destruction over there.
Health care – 47 million Americans are dying in the streets because we don’t have socialized hypochondria and unlimited free pills for everyone.
Man, I just don’t know how I’m going to get through my day. Everything is horrible.