LIBERALS AND THE MEDIA

For the longest time I had trouble understanding why so many people in the entertainment industry supported liberal causes. I thought it was perhaps nothing more than a coincidence. Whereas it was common policy years ago for entertainers to bite their tongues and say nothing which may compromise their careers, today it is more likely they will speak up at every opportunity and generously support liberal causes. It is of course their right to believe in such causes, but it troubled me why the lion's share of Hollywood and the media is inclined to be liberal. Then it came to me...

Over the years the media has become quite astute as to what the public wants, be it in music, television, movies, comedy, news, art or advertising. In other words, they have developed expertise in what sells to the masses. This, of course, drives programming. They have become so good at it, not only do they believe they know the interests and tastes of the American public, but what is best for them. Thereby they have become adept at manipulating perspectives, values and morality like Pavlov's dog, and therein rested my clue. Programming is dictated top-down, not bottom-up. They are not so much interested in what the masses want and need as opposed to manipulating what they want and need, thereby controlling what the public purchases. For example, suppose there are two products, "A" and "B." "A" is without question the superior product. However, if the entertainment industry convinces the public that "B" is better, "A" will undoubtedly lose out. This is amazing power by anyone's estimate.

Liberals share a similar perspective. They believe the public is not smart enough to know what is best for them and, unfortunately, there is a certain element of truth in this statement as many people behave like cattle, perfectly willing to have others prod them along in a certain direction. Further, liberals genuinely believe they know what is best for the masses which is why, not surprisingly, they believe in big government, another top-down approach for controlling the public. The entertainment industry and liberals share an elitist perspective over the public; "We know what is best for the masses." It should come as no small wonder therefore that there is a marriage between liberals and the media. From their perspective, the public only exists to pay homage to "the chosen ones" who thrive on their adulation. This is egotistical arrogance at its worst.

In contrast, conservatives believe government exists to serve the people, not the other way around, which is more of a bottom-up perspective. Of course, this means less control for liberals and the entertainment industry. Consequently, entertainer's are expected to stay in lockstep with liberal doctrine. If you are an up-and-comer in Hollywood, your career advances in proportion to your adherence to liberal causes. If you do not, you are openly criticized and reprimanded as what happened to conservatives like Tom Selleck, Dennis Miller, Janine Turner (TV's "Northern Exposure") who all have had to face the wrath of liberals.

When the "Tea Party" came along, the media greatly underestimated its influence and laughed it off as an inconsequential organization. As it gained in momentum and influence though, the media became intimidated and is understandably bent on its destruction as it represents the voice of the people, a group they are accustomed to controlling.

When you consider the compatible interests of liberal politicians and the entertainment industry, a marriage between the two parties seems rather natural. Their financial resources, as derived from the masses, also makes them an intimidating adversary. There are only three ways to hurt the marriage: to not financially support the products they offer (do not buy them), eliminate celebrity adulation (tune them out), and vote politicians out of office.

Conservatives like to believe there is either a single person or a central council calling the shots for the left. However, nobody believes President Obama is smart enough to be such an architect. Maybe not, but in order for conservatives to be successful they must be able to do battle on two fronts: the media and the left. They must devise a "divide and conquer" strategy that drives a stake between the two.

Keep the Faith!

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Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

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