Hi everyone -
I appreciate your patience today as we worked together to understand the tech aspects of having a class blog that allows for individual postings rather than only responses to mine.
I see that the blog already has a few "followers" - nice follow through! Although I should let you know that, again, the point of this course component is to co-create an information source, meaning that you are only technically a follower.
Please create your blog if you haven't yet done so - becoming a follower is one step; you will still create your own blog just as Morgan did. Let me know if you have questions as to how to do so, but I am hopeful our in-class practice with Morgan will help you get started. Remember that you start by hitting Create Blog in the upper right corner.
Looking back at this afternoon's discussion, please post a reply providing your take on the following. Again, this is an intro posting, and I am not asking you to provide references, just to get the ball rolling. (PLEASE, though, actually answer the questions. "I have no idea" or "That's what I'm here to learn" are NOT acceptable answers . . . .):
1. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being no problem and 10 being absolute catastrophe), how do you rate the fact that only a handful of corporations dominate production of the bulk of all the newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, books, and movies? Why?
2a) What is the most important issue presented in the first three articles you've read for this class?
2b) What IS the population health-oriented perspective on this issue (the perspective that will create the most good for the most people) - the "right" side?*
2c) What are the chances that health reform legislation will get it "right" on this issue? Why?
See you Thursday!
* And I mean "right" in a sincere sense. I'm not asking you to tell me what you believe I believe is the right side. I'm asking you to explain what you see as the right side, given that - for this class - right means starting with the population health perspective.
Dr. P
1. Only having a handful of corporations means that there are only a few people running the show. With having only a few hands in the pot only a few opinions, perspectives, and voices are seen or heard. I believe this is why newspapers, news networks, and other forms of information are one sided or biased. They have no diversity and everyone in the network follows the same perspective or mission when it comes to their published information. I rate this as a seven just because we would be much more informed and have a much more diverse opinion on matters if stations or productions were owned by a more diverse group that is larger in number.
ReplyDelete2a. Health Insurance is the most important issue being presented in the three articles and they all talk about how people are trying to reach a solution to the unaffordable health insurance issue. Co-ops, overseas health care, and public option are the three solutions being presented.
2b. Personally I believed the idea of public option was a great idea. Although just with the other two there are flaws that would need to be addressed, public option seemed the most practical. Of course employees and consumers would be contributing to the employer’s payment they must make for health insurance it was a small increase in places that would not greatly affect the consumer or the employee. I believe this would be the most good for the public and that this is what I believe is the “right” option.
2c. I do not believe they will get it “right” on this issue just because it’s a difficult subject and with every option they provide there are flaws and questions that must be fixed and answered before it would ever be effective and survive on its own. Before they can put anything into place every detail must be worked out and they have yet to do that with these three options. Too many flaws will lead it to failure.
1) The fact that only a handful of corporations dominate the production of most of all media is not that upsetting to me. Information can be accessed through a variety of mediums and most view points are represented one way or another. I would rate this at a four. It could potentially be a catastrophe if there was an overwhelming bias towards sides but because I believe there to still be a good balance, it is not a problem for me.
ReplyDelete2a) How the public will pay for and receive health insurance is the most important issue presented in the first three articles. The first article discussed employers providing health insurance for its workers, the second discussed how Group Health Cooperative worked for Washington, and the third article explained how some American’s were going to foreign countries to get procedures done because it was less expensive than having them done in the United States.
2b). The public option plan would be the best plan that would be good for everyone. It would provide health care and services to anyone who was in need.
2c) The health reform legislation will probably not get it right for everyone because there are so many different opinions on the health care debate it would be impossible to please everyone.
1. I choose 1. I guess that it’s really not that big of a deal to me that there are larger corporations that dominate production. I look at it like the bigger you are the more chances the company can purchase and own smaller businesses. To me it is not really a big deal.
ReplyDelete2. A. I thought that the most important issue in the three articles was reading about how companies with 19 or more employees they have to start to spend for health care. I have worked at a place where there were only five employees and it is crazy to think that if there were more employees we would have to pay for health care.
B. I don’t think that there is really right side to this. I think that companies should try out different styles to find out ways that will help that individual company. One thing may work for a company and that same way might not work for another.
C. I honestly don’t know how health reform legislation will get it "right" on. I really don’t know enough about the health care issue to know if there is a right way or a wrong way. I believe that policies should be tried out and see what works and what doesn’t.
1. I'm not sure how to put a number to it. But I have an issue with that few amount of people being able to control what goes on air. Being part of a the journalism community I know how things work, and what Mr. Boss-man says to air, does. Same (of course) goes for not airing, making things more interesting, etc. So knowing that pretty much all of the main stream news is controlled by the CEOs gets to me. But we have no choice other than to trust it because we weren't there when the event was happening. But then again that's what happens with other things like foods too. So it's bound to happen, still nothing we can do about it other than know it may or may not be skewed to Mr. Boss-man's liking.
ReplyDelete2a. I think the most important issue is health care (article 1). It is because it is the cause of the other articles. If health care was fixed and perfect for everyone, people wouldn't be traveling to Mexico on a surgery vacation. So when it is fixed than everything else should (hopefully) clear up too.
2b. In my opinion, there should be a public option because all people should have a right to live healthily. But if it causes more trouble than it's worth than it shouldn't happen. But in a perfect world I think it should.
2c. There is no way that anyone can make this issue "perfect". There are always going to be flaws and some people are going to be apposed to it. There's never going to be one plan that everyone from both sides of the senate will like it.
1. I would rate the issue of corporations dominating most media outlets a 9. I have several issues with how the mainstream media is controlled, but perhaps my biggest complaint is that the majority of consumers aren’t aware that the media sources are controlled by a handful of opinions. To me the idea that the media sources aren’t transparent about their biases and that the number of controlling companies is getting smaller is a potentially horrifying step in the wrong direction of reducing freedom of press which is one of the most basic foundations for a republic.
ReplyDelete2a. For me, the most important issue in the first three articles is the idea of co-ops. I think that co-ops like Group Health may work to solve some of the insurance issues, so it’s worth looking into.
2b. I agree with the idea of co-ops as part of the solution to the health care crisis. In a co-op the doctors aren’t being paid based on the number of appointments or the number of tests ordered. This allows the doctors to practice medicine and not be worried that they aren’t ordering enough tests to receive their financial rewards.
2c. I think that there is no chance that health reform legislation will get anything right on this issue simply because if a health care reform bill is passed it won’t be an actually solution to the multifaceted issue of health care. There is no real chance that any bill will be passed that is radical enough to actually dramatically change health care towards the direction that it needs to go.
1. I would rate a 1. Big media conglomerates are fighting and loosing the battle with modern day technology, the internet. Ten years ago I think that this argument could have been made, but now there are too many alternative sources. The internet has changed everything, providing many outlets. So I don’t see much of a threat, because everyone has a way to voice their opinion in one way or another. The “handful” of big corporations cannot control everything with so many sources.
ReplyDelete2a. I found that the most important issue discussed in all three articles that were assigned to us was one of the two burning question “..Should there be a “public option” that competes with private insurance( A public Option that works, by William H. Dow, Arindrajit and Carrie Hoverman Colla)? This is such an important issue because having “public option” would eventually kill all competition rather then create more.
2b. The perspective that’s going to do the most good for the people is having no “public option” that is going to compete with private insurance. “Public option” would turn quickly from an option to a dominant force, killing all competition. It would be unfair competition to private insurances. We can’t have the government riding in on their trojan horse to save the day because this may cause a domino affect, leading the government with more power. Once the government has more power they may creep in and eventually take control of healthcare in general, killing off private healthcare, causing our insurance to be like Canada’s.
2c). I personally think they wont, I don’t think it will happen. There are too many competing interests, so whatever happens is going to be a compromise of what everyone wants. I think they will try to satisfy everyone but in the end satisfy no one.
1.) On a scale, I would say that my response would be an 8. I find the fact that any corporation domination of the media frightening. With only a few people controlling our papers, magazines, TV, and books, the public is only getting a few opinions and views. When there are only a few people calling the shots, they are going to present the information that the corporation wants and how they want it perceived. In a free speech country, how are we only getting a few voices heard? How do we know what is truthful and what is not? I believe it is important to have as much unbiased people calling the shots as possible.
ReplyDelete2.)
A. In my opinion, the most important issue brought up is health insuance in San Francisco; the public option. It is showing the start of a program that has been put into action and has proven to be beneficial. Hopefully it could be used as a model for the health care reform for the nation.
B. My perspective is that the pubic option is suitable for all. However, not everyone sees it as a perfect fix to our health care crisis. just like any reform that will be put into action, there will be wrinkles to iron out. But overall, many people do like it in San Fran.
C. I have faith that legislation will get the health care reform bill as right as they can. It is new and with anything that starts out there will be trials and errors, but after several years after it is put into affect, I have hope that everything will be pretty close to perfect. With that said, anything that is put into action will not help every single individual in the country. My belief is that the government will try to do right by everyone.
1. I would have to give this a 8/9. I strongly dislike the fact that my news is being censored and controlled by companies who just want to make sure their products get sold, and people watch their commercials. Have you ever noticed how they have the most shocking/disturbing story at the end and keep giving you "updates" throughout the hour? The fewer the corporations, the fewer the opinions that get highlighted. It's extremely difficult to find news that is unbias. One GOOD thing that sshould come fromt his knowledge is a persons ability to question sources, ask questions, research, and form opinions for themselves.
ReplyDelete2a. The state of our health care system is an important topic in all of these articles.
2b. The public option would be right for our country. As of right now America's healthcare system is a huge part of out economy. This way, the public option can be used for both supplementing an already existing HMO, or to provide basic care for those who aren't able to retain private insurance for themselves. Everyone deserves at least the basic care, and America should offer that.
2c. At the moment, I don't think this issue will be solved the "right" way anytime soon. Everyday there is something new to question, or a moral issues that need to be discussed.
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this issue being a 1. There are hundreds of news paper companies, as well as hundreds of other companies to where there is a reasonable amount of competition in the mainstream media. Corporate competitive media is preferable to government controlled media or censorship. The internet and the blogosphere also provide unlimited access to news and opinion.
ReplyDelete2a) The most important issue in the first three articles is mainly the health care debate in general. "Should there be a public option that competes with private insurance?" Without answering the question, this is the most important issue.
2b) Yes, currently 84% of Americans have some form of health insurance coverage; it is questionable whether overhauling the current system is necessary. Less ambitious changes are preferable. The first thing that needs to happen is to allow the sale of health insurance across state lines, and they need to stop insurance companies from denying coverage after a customer becomes ill and loses their job.
2c) The democrat's attempt at health care reform is a Trojan horse by which they hope to achieve a single-payer system. Once the Government controls health care they control our lives.
1) Well I would ahve to say that yes, there is a definite promblem with all media sources being owned by large corporations, because in a sense like I said, the news is rigged. It is only talking about certain stories, or maybe printing all the stories, yet only providing one side of the argument. And this my friends is not helpful to us, common folk trying to well imformed on today's issues.
ReplyDelete2) A. The main issue in these articles, is ultimately health care and what id the best option for the greater good.
B. As far as what is the "right" option for America...I'm not too sure yet. I mean i would say yes every American deserves health care and that's what the government should provide for all employees. But things start to get tricky when we start to decipher exactly what should be covered with health care, as far a abortion, elective surgery..etc.
C. Everyday new ideals and strategies are being arised inorder to solve this great debate and find a happy medium to please everyone. Although this hasn't happen yet. I don't think that there is any plan that is going to make everyone happy, therefore everyone needs to stop thinking so selfishly and think about their counrty as a whole.
1. I would rate the issue that the large corporations owning sections of the media a 5. It is not a good thing or a bad thing in my opinion. Unless it is a complete grassroots source, it is going to be somewhat biased. It just depends on how deeply you look into the story. The news corporations need to be funded somehow and when large corporations own them then they get their money.
ReplyDelete2a. The most important issue pertaining to the first three articles were paying for health care and providing insurance for the American people.
2b. I feel that there should be a public option for people who are not insured by their work place. Private insurers should still be around for the competitive edge.
2c. I do not think that this reform will be right the first time. There is no way to actually please everyone in this country. I think that trying out different options is the best way to try and please everyone.
1) On a scale of one to ten I would rate the issue of big corporations dominating the prouction of bulk of our media as a five. I am not really up to date on the issue so for me I believe that so far this is not really doing good or bad for our society. If more corporations begin to dominate more fields then my five on the scale would probably increase because if only a few corporations are controlling the newspaper, Internet, Tv, ect.. we will only be getting the information from what perspective they are choosing to inform us about.
ReplyDelete2a) I think that the biggest issue presented in the first three articles we read would be whether the government is going to make a public co-op for health insurance. We all know that health insurance is a very costly amount of our economies money. Washington is one of the first to promote this co-op so it will be even harder to prove whether this is a good plan or not for the enrire country to also try this new plan for health insurance.
2b) The population health-oriented perspective would mean that the co-op would cover as much as 12 million people statewide, health centers would find ways to reduce costs and improve quality, and it would leave doctors with more time for their patients which would reduce the number of patients actually attending a doctor because with the help of the co-op doctors could attend to patients questions and needs from home over the internet or phone.
2c) The health reform legislation will hopefully get is "right" on this issue because it will not only be helping out patients, but also the doctors helping these people. With Washington already on its way to help prove this plan of action hopefully the government will take a closer look to this solution on health care coverage and see that it has positive potential to help everyone out in the end!
1) [ 6, problematic] The fact that only a handful of corporations dominate the media is must concern the public. However, given the corporate society in which we live, the need for consumers to search for accurate, unbiased information, is stronger than ever. No, I do not beleive that such monopolies should exist in media. These circumstances can become catostrophic if we, the public, are to be swayed due to the interest of the conglomerates.
ReplyDelete2)Employers should be required to pay for their employees' health insurance. However, criteria need to be established that deem an employer able to sustain the added burden of employee health care for this option to work. For example, small business owners whose yearly gross is less than an amount deemed able to provide for employee insurance, must be exempt from doing so. Such a situation may allow for employees to seek out further training and education in order to obtain proffesional positions, while enableing smaller buisinesses to profit.
To be completely honest, I would have to place my opinion at a 5. Reason being is because some companies owning media outlets can be a good thing like raising money for certain issues like literacy. On the other hand, it can also be bad because those corporations that own media outlets can put out what they want, when they want it.
ReplyDelete2a. The most important thing in the articles was how new ideas are being set into place. Health care is a big issue and the articles brought forth light that maybe we as a country can make some changes that will benefit employees.
2b. My perspective is to keep trying to come up with ideas to make changes to the health care system in this country. If Europe can have an effective health care system, why cant we? In terms of being on the "right side", politicians need to make health care affordable for EVERYONE!
2c. I really don't see the health care system changing at all in my lifetime. I think that as long as the government continues to just poke at making the right changes, this will just continue to be a shouting match with no real changes being made.
1. I rate a 5. I do think it’s a big deal if these corporations are forcing to share information that is not true. I don’t think it’s a big deal if the corporations are sharing reliable information for the consumers. It’s important the corporations are practicing what they preach.
ReplyDelete2.
a.The articles are presenting the issues we face with our health care system.
b.I believe everyone deserves health care, but I dont think our economy and consumers are ready to face a different health care system.
c.I don’t think our legislation will ever get it right. There will always be disagreements between legislation and consumers. It’s impossible to make everyone happy because everyone is different when it comes to taking care of their own health and others.
1. I would have to rate the situtation a 7 for a couple of reasons. First, the free press has always been the "free press" meaning that one can print whatever they feel, no matter how skewed, how random, and how relevant or irrelevent what they choose to write may be, which leads me to not trust ANY media's story for cold hard truth. Second, with many newspapers owned by one person or group, theorietically they can give an idea some credit by posting similar stories across multiple news outlets leading the public to believe what could be a bogus idea or claim; allowing the owner to have massive munipulative power over the masses.
ReplyDelete2.
a). The most important issue in the first three articles in class involves medical tourism.
b). The population's health-oriented perspective on this issue is the 'right' one, safer, cleaner, better facilities are here in the U.S. compared to other countries. When getting health care in the U.S., Americans are doing the best for their country by not only getting better care, but keeping health care related jobs in America and not shipped to other countries. It would be best for us to keep these jobs here and not in asia like what has happened with a large segment of the manufacturing industry.
c).Legislation most likely will get it right because as long as there is dialogue between the parties, usually a 'right' compromise is a product. But, relating to the first question, peoples of the parties' views may be manipulated by our own wonderful free press.