It’s election season here again and don’t we know it – every front garden seems to be infested with red or blue flags promoting a selection of sinisterly smiling heads. The TV and radio also have a surprisingly enormous number of ads. That’s not unusual – bu what is particularly notable about this election is the sheer number of negative ads, that really attack candidates in a highly persona way.
This is to a large extent because of a remarkable law change. The bottom line is that there is no longer a ban on corporations spending unlimited amounts of money on broadcast political ads in the run up to elections. That’s limitless money to spend on ads supporting or opposing candidates. Bizarrely individual contributors continue to have limits on their donations direct to candidates or parties.
According to The New York Times: For the first time, though, as a result of the [Citizens United] ruling, corporations will be able to spend unlimited amounts of money on “electioneering communications” (i.e., broadcast advertisements) expressly advocating for a candidate’s election or defeat. While the court upheld the ban on direct contributions from corporations or unions to candidates, it also clears the way, for the first time, for corporations to donate money to nonprofit groups that place advocacy advertisements.
Nothing is sacred – military history, personal finances, voting history, family life. I’ve always believed that when you are promoting your product or service it is far more dignified and professional to focus on its benefits rather than the shortcomings of competitors’ products. Clearly this is not a belief shared by many of the groups sponsoring ads. Bring on the elections is all I can say so this nonsense can finally end. Until next time.