Educational Media Reviews Online

According to polls and media reports, Americans hold negative opinions about their political system. Elected officials spend too much time attacking each other and not enough time solving national and international problems. Representatives, senators, and presidents are perceived as being "in the pockets" of individuals and groups that provide the most money for elections. At the same time, many Americans express satisfaction with their own representatives and senators.

These three videos from Films for the Humanities and Sciences Life Choices series explores these issues. Two programs examine the hostile environment of contemporary American politics and who pays for elections, while the third presents a positive look at the workday of two US Senators.

If You Can't Say Anything Nice explores the toxic environment surrounding modern national elections. While dirty campaigning and politics is nothing new many in government, the media, and the general public see recent elections as particularly nasty affairs. Factors contributing to this sentiment include the demise of government officials in the eyes of the public, media coverage concentrating on scandal and personal lives rather than debating major issues, and politicians use of negative campaigning because, unfortunately, it works with a large portion of the general public. Political commentators Mark Shields and David Broder along with Harvard political scientist Michael Sandel, paint a very discouraging picture of qualified individuals unwilling to participate in government due to the environment, and other individuals in government concentrating on personal attacks and scandal at the expense of significant problems and issues effecting the country. However, Jean Bethle Elshtain of the University of Chicago sees hope. While acknowledging problems, she forecasts that Americans may, out of disgust with national politics, increase their involvement in local issues. New ideas and attitudes developed at the local level may provide plans for positive changes in Washington DC. While not providing significant new information, the program provides an excellent overview on this important issue.

Campaign Finance Reform explores the role funding, especially large donations, play in elections and government. This issue is seen by commentator Mark Shields as the greatest challenge currently facing American democracy. While limits on contributions were enacted following the Watergate scandal, these laws are now circumvented, allowing huge sums of money to flow into campaigns. Soft money, contributions given to political parties rather than candidates, receives considerable discussion. Such donations increased from $80 million to $200 million dollars between 1991 and 1996. Obviously, these contributions, from individuals, businesses, and interest groups, also carry expectations of influence on major legislation and government programs. Furthermore, the need to raise large amounts of money for elections forces candidates to spend considerable time raising money instead of spending time on major issues. This favors incumbents over challengers, thus limiting political participation. And, as the Supreme Court has declared political donations a form of free speech, only the politicians are in the position to change the system. Shields, Broder, and Sandal are joined in commentary by Ann McBride of Common Cause, Fred Wertheimer of Democracy 21 and Representative Christopher Shays in this negative portrayal of campaign financing. The excellent overview updates the 1992 Frontline series program The Best Campaign Money Can Buy(1992).

Finally, the series ends on a positive tone with A Day in the Life of a Senator. Echoing Films for the Humanities and Sciences 1995 program Congress: A Day in the Life of a Representative, the tape presents the workday of Texas Senator Kay Baily Hutchinson and Vermont's Patrick Leahy. During the senators' ten to twelve hour workdays, they cover topics from major national and international issues to meeting with voters from the home state. Both Hutchinson and Leahy express their love of serving as senators and frustration with the slow pace of passing legislation, lack of time, and echoing themes in the other two programs, such as the time spent raising money and the hostile political environment.

All three programs present little new information. However, the series provides a clear synopsis of major problems and concerns facing Americans in reforming government. The set is highly recommended for school, public, and academic libraries.