Nope, you should listen to emprical facts. All the data is out there. Inflation numbers, unemployment numbers past and present, voting records, ect ect ect. It takes a bit more dedication but if you want to be informed you have to look past what people are telling you and look at what's really happening.

People writing books want you to agree with them, or reassure you that your view is correct. news just wants to get ratings, politicians just want to get elected. A guy entering numbers into a database has no motive other than to get his work done so he can go home.

they really talked about that on the news?

Here's an example from the other topic of how people will use numbers to mislead you. But if you look at the numbers you get a clearer picture.

Timmah posted

something you will never hear from the mainstream news...
The average unemployment rate during the Bush years is running lower than during the Clinton years.

Numbers from US Misery Index

June 7, 1996-- Here is how the mainstream news (Dan Rather) reported that the unemployment rate jumped up to 5.6%:

“The government came out today with its latest report on unemployment. It says the unemployment rate rose slightly, 2/10ths of a point last month, up to 5.6 percent – still low overall. And the numbers, pure and simple, can be misleading. Economics correspondent Ray Brady tonight has the story behind them.”

January 4, 2007-- And, here is how the AP reported on the current unemployment rate of 5.0%:

Hiring practically stalled in December, driving the nation's unemployment rate up to a two-year high of 5 percent and fanning fears of a recession.

Employers last month added the fewest new jobs to their payrolls in more than four years, according to the employment report released Friday by the Labor Department. The report showed that employment conditions are deteriorating, strained by a housing slump and credit crunch that are sapping economic strength.

"The economy is getting hit by some body blows. The big question is whether the economy can withstand it or will it take a fall," said Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics.

UPDATE: Here's CNN's headline :
"Jobs weak, unemployment soars"
Since when is a 5% unemplyment rate described as soaring?

Sounds reasonable no? He's got numbers, but they are sadly manipulated to fit his agenda. Go to the link his kindly posted the "US misery Index" and look at the unemployment rates and see what is actually there. Compare Clinton and George Bush. Ah, see what he did there? Don't listen to people giving you numbers, go look at the raw numbers. Don't listen to people telling you about voting records, go look at the records.

Oh, OK. I see where you're going. Look at the issues from both sides and make a proper decision based on who you agree with more.

*Looks at issues*

Still McCain....

The media is more than just the news. It's politcal adds, talk shows, radio shows, books. And yes there is plenty of those accusations in the various media outlets.

lol, that's fine. I could care less about McCain or Obama. It's just when people try to claim they are educated, when their "education" is a media fed sham.

And it's not a matter of looking at it from both sides, because both sides are represented by the media. Don't look at it from both sides, look at the empirical data rather than what the sides are telling you.

Vagabond for President!

The Obama v. Hitler comment(same with anti christ) stems from his ability to move people with his tongue.

His speaking mezmerizes unsuspecting listeners (just look at Oprah crying her eyelashes off)

Hitler was the same way. (no is referring to the actual message, just the presentation)

I believe in the Douglas Adams theory of politics. The problem with it is that anybody who wants to be the most powerful man in the world, shouldn't be. Thusly the only way to get a leader is to find a well informed possibly insane savant, lock him in a cabin in the middle of no where and occasionally have a few people ask him "hypothetical" questions on policy, then implement his answers.

And out of all the great orators in history you picked a nazi. What's your point?