And so it goes...

State TV in Russia. The comments vary from praise to ones calling Russian tv "zombie tv" at a site asking for feedback from Russians about tv that bars Putin opposers. I don't care, one says, I live better now. Another says that the media is all controlled.

As a person with a disability, I've been struck at the utter lack of coverage of disability issues during the many hours of coverage on the 24/7 news stations. So called experts get on and talk for hours about the reality of our political system as of that day - but the content isn't geared toward information. Shouldn't we be voting based on candidates' platforms? Shouldn't we be able to choose the content more?

Am I comparing our system to one where Putin supporters disappear from the air? No, of course not. At least not literally.

But then, on the other hand, doesn't our media with its pundits resemble zombie tv in many ways? Think of the repeated messages, images and the fact that content is chosen by the powers that be. Content driven by viewers? I suppose one could argue that because of advertising, it is to some extent. But if we live in a place that's so free, then why isn't the political coverage more diverse? Why is there only partial coverage of the candidates' talks and, for the most part, short clips like 'bloopers' of apologies, speculative comments, etc.? I know what they say: people want this content, they want to be entertained or they won't watch.

So we're being sold a package, like news to go. One package du jour.

It's the internet, however, that's become more of a voice for the people, with diverse voices speaking up and information available on issues that matter to you as a voter. And, perhaps, in that vein, we can see television as having become somewhat censored in our country, simply because its control is held in the hands of a few driven by economic factors- and freedom about choice of content is incomparable on the web compared to tv which has become predictably - well- zombie-like.

I know Americans are too smart to fall for all of this. But today, of all days, it needs to be said: if we forget that when we watch tv, we're being sold a product and let media control the outcome of elections, then there are a lot more similarities to concepts like state TV than we may want to acknowledge.

And now down to brass tacks for a blog about disability issues. Has there been one day, during all the time that I've seen coverage for these primaries, that deals with disability platforms and issues? No. And I can't be the only one watching who feels this way. What issues are important to you? Have you ever sat and watched this coverage and then gone out to your car and seen the gauge close to empty and sighed because you know what it's going to cost you to fill it?

Yes, we have a lot at stake in this election. I don't want to be sold a package by the media. I want to hear about issues that affect my life. I want to hear about current legislative efforts toward making independent living more possible for disabled people, about efforts toward curbing the price of medical equipment, about better housing and transportation. How many links to disability topics do I have to tv shows? Very few. And for those about legislation or politics, I can't think of any off hand.

And yet how many voters have disabilities, have loved ones or friends with disabilities? Many. Would you like to know about Senator Kennedy's proposed legislation that would help disabled people live better- carefully drafted legislation that would help us afford what we need to work and live with the extraordinary expenses that disability incurs? Check out my legislation tag below, but don't expect coverage of these issues on tv. Don't expect to see a panel discussion or clips from interviews of anyone on the topic on CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, ABC, CBS or NBC- although I'd welcome it. And don't expect the candidates to talk about topics like this because they know what's appearing on tv, they know what clips will get put on to give them coverage, their people know what the media is selling too and what issues to give attention to.

So why am I writing about state tv this week? Oh, I don't know. I do know, however, that we have alternatives, if we choose to support them, like [with]tv.