‘Massive’ Pre-Existing Condition

JFP,

Thank you for puting a "white face" on the health care mess this country has allowed the insurance and drug companies to create (with the full support, coooperation a cheer leading of our elected officials in DC). This entry as well as your cover story is a refreshing change from my opinion of "media business as usual".

I have noticed that both the conservative and "so called liberal" media (so-called liberal because the 10 major TV/Cable media and print networks are in fact owned by the conservative corporate leadership who have demonstrated their propensity to dictate editorial and operation policy in their news rooms), consistently showcase black faces in their progrossive leaning news stories the vast majority of the time.

The media did this during Katrina, during the election of Obama, during the "sub-prime loan crisis, etc. As blacks make up only 14% of the total population and much smaller percentages of the participants of the voting, economic and health care systems of of America, this "black facing demonization" of these critical issues that effect vastly greater numbers of white Americans does a major dis-service to the entire country.

This is similiar to the media showcasing a Delta farmer who has 1,000 acres as being hurt by farm policy and subsidy reduction when 90% of all subsidies goe to the huge corporate farm conglomerate who effective hide behind the small farmer to score markeiting points and sympathy from the gullibe, ingnorant and mis-informed American public. National Public Radio (NPR) does this all of the time.

Thanks for breaking the mold. Is this a JFP Policy or just a lucky co-incidence?

Casual, we strive for diversity in every possible direction -- and, more importantly, to tell the whole story. The whole welfare/health-care story is not just about one race, and solid reporting shows that without any special effort to diversify the coverage. I always say it's easier to be diverse than not to be -- if you take your blinders off.

And I agree: Too many white people are undoubtedly against health-insurance reform because they are drinking the Koolaid that, suddenly, they are going to have foot the bill for socialism to help people of color and immigrants. No doubt.