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The Wages of Spin Our democracy is being overwhelmed
and undermined by "spin." Reckless, irresponsible public relations and
propaganda campaigns polarize our politics leaving us disgusted and
disengaged. Increasingly, this is due to stealth public relations outfits that
pose as public policy research organizations. These “think tanks” claim to
educate the public. Actually, they seek to frustrate, confuse, and confound
honest public debate and discussion. While some of what these “think
tanks” produce may have token educational value, their major purpose lies
elsewhere. They adopt and abuse not-for-profit public charity status to benefit
undisclosed for-profit private interests. They hide funding sources to carry out
tactics pioneered by the tobacco industry. For years, Big Tobacco fended off any
real response to the simple reality that cigarette smoking causes cancer. How
did they stall action on this massive public health issue? They promoted
"tobacco science" - slanted studies passed off as research carried out
by scientists paid to deny the problem. Success came as previously critical news
outlets became willing to “balance” independent scientific studies with
these contrary “findings.” Now, many groups apply this same
tactic to other policy issues. Here, the term "think tank" is a
helpful ruse. Not much thinking about public policy actually occurs. For the
most part, they twist facts and figures generated by others to draw contrary
conclusions. The more accurate term for such outfits is "spin shop."
Such partisan promotions have become a regular part of the national political
scene since the 1980's. Now, scaled down versions have set up shop on the
local level to lobby state legislatures. While spin shops find their roots in the Far Right, groups across the political spectrum are responding in kind to varying degrees. The end result is a polarized and politicized environment where rationality and reality are displaced by anger and emotion. Every issue is turned into an irresolvable shouting match that few wish to engage. On a national level, the damage is already incalculable. The question is whether we will allow the same pattern of corruption to corrode our own communities and legislatures. *** |
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