In the magazines that I read every week, in the newspaper that I read each Saturday, on the television I watch for hours per day, commercials and advertisements, from the media, force their way into my thoughts. I realize that the world in which I live is very much defined by these mediums of communication. The media in America is therefore a major influence in our society because of its consistent exposure to American members of society. This influence is juxtaposed with the official authority in American society, the government. The government expresses its goal is the spread of "civil liberties" and "equality for all mankind". However, in this juxtaposition, the media spreads its opinions and these opinions become popular stereotypes in society, often racist, unequal, or xenophobic ideas. Eventually, these ideas, spawned by the media, become ideas set forth by the government. The government creates laws that are contradictory to its original idea of "all men are created equal". This is a contradicting combination in today's society.