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Senator analyzes how digital media is fueling chaos in Washington
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Senator analyzes how digital media is fueling chaos in Washington

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) joined Thursday’s “The Glenn Beck Radio Program” for some good-natured hazing about his trending photos as well as some serious commentary about the chaos in Washington.

Pictures of Sasse sporting red shorts and casually chatting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other lawmakers on Capitol Hill trended on Thursday.

“I’m sure you stand by the red shorts, but how about the little pencil legs?” Glenn Beck joked.

The visual was a lighthearted example of the serious topic Sasse came to discuss: how image-based media has changed Washington.

First, Sasse emphasized that the firestorm in Washington isn't solely a product of the Trump administration. “The chaos here isn’t just the last four months,” Sasse said, explaining that basic civics have been breaking down for quite some time.

Government’s job is to provide a structure for society that protects free people in a fallen world, Sasse asserted. “The world is broken, so you need a framework for liberty,” he said.

One factor in the breakdown of U.S. politics is the influence of broadcast media, which shifted how legislators work in practice. As society transitioned to an image-based culture, the president became a vital figure when it comes to passing legislation even though that’s not how the system was set up.

“Descriptively, you’ve really never had any big things happen in Washington the last six or seven decades if the president wasn’t using the bully pulpit to focus attention on one issue,” Sasse explained.

To see more from Glenn, visit his channel on TheBlaze and watch "The Glenn Beck Radio Program" live weekdays 9 a.m.–noon ET or anytime on-demand at TheBlaze TV.

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