Ever since the Watergate scandal, Americans have been
distrustful of the government, especially politicians. Politicians continue to
have a negative stigma because of the media coverage they receive. Scandals,
backroom deals, and other negative actions are reported so often to the
American people that when Politicians are really trying to get things done,
it’s not believable. I believe the majority of Politicians are good people who
want to make a difference for the constituents they serve. When it comes to
down to Congress taking action, the media dramatizes the debate process, making
it seem as though no one is willing to get work done. In reality, it is a great
idea to have a contentious political process because it ensures that all views
are being heard. So why is that when members of Congress are actually trying to
get work done, the media reports it as though there is always a hidden agenda?
Take for example, Marco Rubio and the immigration plan.
Rubio’s plan involves tight security around our borders,
enforcing and modernizing the immigration system, and having people come into
the United States based on skills not if they already have a family member here. He also calls for fines for those illegal immigrants who
are already here and they would have to wait at least 10 years before they
could become a permanent resident of the United States. Marco Rubio and other
members of “The Gang of 8” proposed bill is a bi-partisan approach to help
address the problem of illegal immigrants. These Republicans and Democrats have banded together to actually pass some sort of reform.
However, the media is portraying this immigration reform plan as a stepping
stone for Rubio to get into the White House.
We all know the kind of media
coverage a politician receives can either hurt or help their political future. Marco Rubio has recently been getting a great
deal of media coverage because it is believed that he will run for the 2016presidential election. The problem with getting too much media attention is
that the media portrays your actions as having a hidden agenda. On Sunday,
Rubio headed off to all the Sunday talk shows to promote his immigration reform
plan. Just because Rubio is concentrating on immigration reform, does not mean
that he is only doing it for the Presidential bid. I think as a society, we
should start to get away from the theory that politicians have a hidden agenda
when they are actually just trying to do their job. I believe it is good for
our democracy to have our politicians argue about this issue and then come
together to make an informed decision. The media is portraying Republicans as
not wanting to consider this plan because it is too liberal. In reality, this
is a bi-partisan plan, after all there are four Republicans and four Democrats
who are working together. Having democrats praise Rubio and his bi-partisan
plan is not a bad thing! It just means that he is actually trying to be a work
horse not just a show horse. Work horses, like Rubio and other members on this
bill are Legislators who actually come up with plans instead of just talking
about what needs to be done. Show horses are usually legislators who are very
vocal in the media, usually criticizing other members of a political party.
Nevertheless, I believe that Marco
Rubio’s immigration reform plan is something worth talking about. Not because
it could potentially get him in the White House one day, but because immigration
is something that this country needs to address. I think the way the media is portraying his
plan is not fair to the actual issue; immigration should be addressed because
we need a solution. As someone who has
constantly supported the Democratic Party, I think this reform is a great
bi-partisan plan and something worth talking about, not just because the Media
thinks it will benefit Rubio. Republicans and Democrats should get together and
work on this plan instead of constantly criticizing the other parties for not
doing anything. It is clear that we need more work horses than show horses in
Congress.
