Biased reading of tea party poll

Published 12:01 am Monday, April 4, 2011

An article in Thursday’s Herald written by a Los Angeles Times reporter carried the headline “Nearly half in U.S. sour on tea party” with the sub-headline “A recent poll finds 47 percent hold an unfavorable view of the political movement.”

This is a good example of the biased press. The other truth of the matter is that more than half in the U.S. favor the tea party and 53 percent hold a favorable view of the political movement but the press certainly doesn’t present it this way.

The article goes on to say the tea party is a collection of different groups that are loosely united in their view of opposing big government, taxes and spending. Again the press puts its spin on it instead of saying most Americans oppose big government, taxes and spending.

When it comes to politics and major issues facing this country, the press needs to start presenting news in a factual and unbiased manner and stop trying to sway the American public one way or the other.

Ray Scudder
Lake Stevens