I am not certain how serious I am, but often I think the daily newspaper ought to contain a "connections guide." It would suggest to readers what stories might profitably be read together.
This morning, for example, liberal columnist Matthew Miller says the President’s "obviously irresponsible" fiscal policy is producing a "yawn." He cites several reasons; including the Democrats’ fear of pointing out that it’s a "revenue problem." Translation: Washington has cut taxes too much and the political opposition hasn’t the courage to say "Stop!"
My "connections guide" would send readers from that to a report on the New Mexico State Legislature wherein we learn that three Democrats oppose (Democratic) Governor Richardson’s tax cuts, existing and proposed. They think the State needs the money to deal with Medicaid funding, for example.
Tying these two stories might spark a tentative conclusion that the Democratic Governor is not just fearful of arguing it’s a revenue problem, as Miller suggested, but is aping the Bush approach.
Or that the three Democrats are courageous. Or living dangerously. Or living in the past.
Picking up on the Medicaidl note, my "connections guide" would then send the reader to David Broder’s interview with retiring Health and Human Services boss Tommy Thompson, who argues Washington should further subsidize health insurance to reduce the number of uninsured. Universal (even near-universal) health insurance would relieve pressure on Medicaid and other elements of our dysfunctional system, wouldn’t it?
You get the idea. I’m sure many readers connect the dots on their own, but not all. Our daily newspapers are rich in pieces of information, but I rarely remember facts, events or moments that I cannot fit into a pattern. Which leads me to think a "connections guide" might help me and other readers move more easily from facts to meaning.