While Mr. George A. Fogg has a right to offer “Another View” concerning MaineCare cuts, I am disappointed that the Press Herald would publish something that was so devoid of rational reasoning (“Demand for MaineCare fueled by people’s poor planning,” Dec. 19).
It was nothing but a rant. He cited no facts or specific examples to support the bases of his opinion.
Just who are these people “who did not use that self-restraint”? Which benefits is he referring to? What specific group of people is he talking about?
Given the polarized tenor of today’s society, where people gravitate toward news sources such as Fox and MSNBC — which appear to have no interest in offering a balanced assessment of the issues of the day, but are more interested in pandering to a narrow group of viewers who do not want to hear anything that would challenge their narrow, inflexible thinking — it is incumbent upon the rest of the media to be responsible and thorough with their reporting, editorializing and opinion pieces.
Freedom of the press was included in the Constitution as a vehicle to ensure that the voting public received a diversity of opinions in order to make informed decisions in the voting booth.
I believe the press has an obligation to provide the public with information, and when opinions are offered that there be a clear indication that the opinions are based on a reasoned assessment of available facts and data.
To do otherwise is an insult to the reading public. It creates an uninformed public and perpetuates gridlock.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
