Political ads leave us with electing the lessor trash?

[billethkid]

We are witnessing and accepting first hand there are no viable, honest politicians running for office.

When did we switch as a society to accept the mud slinging demerits of the other person running VS what has the candidate done in their past political careers to deserve one's vote? What are their accomplishments? What will they do for us if elected? Where do they stand on issues of significance.

Have we devolved to accepting the lessor trash?

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Only the dumbest of dumb believe all those ads.

[wudda1955]

...or if they believe all the promises made by politicians. And, that's all I'm saying on the topic since, I believe, political discussions are not allowed. Of course, I could be wrong...it's been known to happen.

[NYGUY]

Only the dumbest of dumb believe all those ads.

And only the dumbest of dumb would accept the individuals that put on those ads!!

[Taltarzac725]

Only the dumbest of dumb believe all those ads.

Those ads are good bathroom breaks. Good time to take a P or a fast poop.

[billethkid]

My point was not the believeability of the ads.
SInce both candidates do it regularly and continuously and they are not to be believed then one can only assume we are committed to voting party line, so things like accomplishments and why they deserve to be elected are not germain to the election process.

I do not view this as a political discussion in any way shape or form. Seeking opinions about a process........NOTHING MORE!

[Taltarzac725]

My point was not the believeability of the ads.
SInce both candidates do it regularly and continuously and they are not to be believed then one can only assume we are committed to voting party line, so things like accomplishments and why they deserve to be elected are not germain to the election process.

I do not view this as a political discussion in any way shape or form. Seeking opinions about a process........NOTHING MORE!

And all the e-mails I get from my party only ask for money. They have never really go into their position on anything. The buck drives the campaign truck not any kind of opportunity for a voter to make informed decisions.

[graciegirl]

Here is the scenario every night at our home. The political ad comes up, I look and Sweetie and Helene and they look back at me and we all shake our heads.

I don't think that there is anything much good in political parties anymore. I have never gone to a political party meeting and I doubt I ever will. I struggle to find out the truth of the issues on my own....and that isn't easy.

I really wish we had a far better choice than the two who are in our faces everyday.

[Madelaine Amee]

Surely politics and politicians have hit an all time low! The people presented to us are chosen by the party as being most electable and having mega bucks to run, no matter how they amassed their fortunes.

They must think we are stupid ........... but then, we still keep voting, so I guess we are stupid, but what other alternative is there? We, at least, have the right to vote which is denied in so many countries.

[George Bieniaszek]

A college professor in a Microeconomics class that I was taking many years ago coined the phrase "The Masses Elect the Asses".

That phrase stuck with me.

I have a solution for increasing voter turnout at the polls and just making you feel good when you enter the voting booth. In most cases, you tend to feel that your vote really doesn't count, but I have a way of making you feel good about your civic duty to get out there and vote. This will work in both the local and state elections as well as in the National theater too.

Why can't we go into the voting booth and cast a ballot for the one we absolutely don't want to have in elected office?? With that in mind, the person on the ballot that gathers the least amount of votes would win.

[Way2Old]

One thing that concerns me is that I have not heard any denials. The ads are like watching the end of a prescription drug ad, possible side effects maybe...

[Rango]

You may not like the "attack adds", but studies have shown they work. (unfortunately)

[sunnyatlast]

...I don't think that there is anything much good in political parties anymore. I have never gone to a political party meeting and I doubt I ever will. I struggle to find out the truth of the issues on my own....and that isn't easy.......

Well said. The two parties maneuver alike. And then there's the media, who present only what fits THEIR agenda, which is ultimately to sell more of their broadcasted trash.

[KayakerNC]

You may not like the "attack adds", but studies have shown they work. (unfortunately)

If a wanna-be politician is running against an incumbent, of course he has to attack the incumbent's record, since the wanna-be doesn't have a record. Term limits are a potential (partial) solution, but guess who would have to vote for that?
Funny how most of these attack ads are financed by out of state PACs.

[justjim]

You may not like the "attack adds", but studies have shown they work. (unfortunately)

You are correct---that is what studies say about negative ads. In 95% of elections the candidate who spends the most money is the winner. It's a very sad commentary---many just don't vote period or vote reluctantly for their party or the best of two unqualified candidates.

[Taltarzac725]

If a wanna-be politician is running against an incumbent, of course he has to attack the incumbent's record, since the wanna-be doesn't have a record. Term limits are a potential (partial) solution, but guess who would have to vote for that?
Funny how most of these attack ads are financed by out of state PACs.

Not sure if term limits is the answer as so much is done by seniority at the National and State level. It is the old guard that actually gets often bills through.

Civic lessons starting in junior high and also later in high school along with critical thinking might be a long term solution but probably would not really start being effective for decades.

[Big O]

Not sure if term limits is the answer as so much is done by seniority at the National and State level. It is the old guard that actually gets often bills through.

Civic lessons starting in junior high and also later in high school along with critical thinking might be a long term solution but probably would not really start being effective for decades.

Critical thinking in the schools....are you nuts? Where in the world would we get someone to teach that?

[tedquick]

My point was not the believeability of the ads.
SInce both candidates do it regularly and continuously and they are not to be believed then one can only assume we are committed to voting party line, so things like accomplishments and why they deserve to be elected are not germain to the election process.

I do not view this as a political discussion in any way shape or form. Seeking opinions about a process........NOTHING MORE!

Politicians� first job is to get re-elected, their second is to develop power within their own party and committees and their 3rd and final �job� is to represent their constituents, but that�s a discussion for another time.

Most of us on this blog have the ability to see beyond the trash and garbage that we see in the ads. However, there are those who make their decisions based on feelings and emotions instead of logic, common sense, rational thinking and their own investigations and *they* are the targets of these ads. The process is tainted and unfair, but then that�s what has happened over the years. If we are not careful, if those of us who understand the unfair game being played do not get our friends and ourselves to the voting booths in the upcoming two elections we will spend the rest of our lives under the leadership of those voted into office by the lesser informed.

While I have been sickened by those selected to run in the most recent National elections, it is because of the tainted, dishonest and power hungry politicians on both sides of the aisle who have gotten us to where we are because of their intentional lies, distortions and misrepresentations. We dare not ignore the media as they are as corrupt as the politicians. But it is the process that allowed this. It is the process that built this country into the most powerful and successful country that ever existed or that will ever exist, which now has us spiraling downward at an ever-increasing rate.

BTK, the process that built America is now destroying her. Having said that, I will rephrase it to say that it is not the fault of the process, as the process has no agenda in and of itself, but it has allowed those who are dishonest and corrupt to use it to their advantage and �their advantage� has proven to be damaging to the very people they were supposed to be representing.

Who was it that said that our government (which was created by our process) is the worst in the world except for all the others? Well, I agree. But it is all about the process and the lack of integrity of those who have taken advantage of it.

God, help us all!!

[Taltarzac725]

Critical thinking in the schools....are you nuts? Where in the world would we get someone to teach that?

Junior High School Teachers (6-9) (http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/junior-high-school-teachers-6-9/808)

This could be covered in English, debate, history and mathematics classes depending on the subject as well as civics.

[Madelaine Amee]

Politicians� first job is to get re-elected, their second is to develop power within their own party and committees and their 3rd and final �job� is to represent their constituents, but that�s a discussion for another time.

Most of us on this blog have the ability to see beyond the trash and garbage that we see in the ads. However, there are those who make their decisions based on feelings and emotions instead of logic, common sense, rational thinking and their own investigations and *they* are the targets of these ads. The process is tainted and unfair, but then that�s what has happened over the years. If we are not careful, if those of us who understand the unfair game being played do not get our friends and ourselves to the voting booths in the upcoming two elections we will spend the rest of our lives under the leadership of those voted into office by the lesser informed.

While I have been sickened by those selected to run in the most recent National elections, it is because of the tainted, dishonest and power hungry politicians on both sides of the aisle who have gotten us to where we are because of their intentional lies, distortions and misrepresentations. We dare not ignore the media as they are as corrupt as the politicians. But it is the process that allowed this. It is the process that built this country into the most powerful and successful country that ever existed or that will ever exist, which now has us spiraling downward at an ever-increasing rate.

BTK, the process that built America is now destroying her. Having said that, I will rephrase it to say that it is not the fault of the process, as the process has no agenda in and of itself, but it has allowed those who are dishonest and corrupt to use it to their advantage and �their advantage� has proven to be damaging to the very people they were supposed to be representing.

Who was it that said that our government (which was created by our process) is the worst in the world except for all the others? Well, I agree. But it is all about the process and the lack of integrity of those who have taken advantage of it.

God, help us all!!

Excellent post :clap2: Others will disagree with me.

[rubicon]

tedquick: you and I agree. However, I believe that our political process has been tainted on and off from it very existence, the founding fathers of course exempt from this discussion.

btk is right about the process. but what I see are some good people who want to serve but find that they are forced to be obligated by too many competing voices. Not too long ago there were some 1700 lobbyist in Washington. today there are 4300. Then we have the party leaders and you must fall in line behind them or else etc etc etc. what's a honest politician to do? And worse yet what's an honest politician to do without money to be elected or reelected ?

So instead we get the most tainted and most ambitious that have or can raise funds and they will peddle their chicken in every pot line to the hoi pol-loi.

There is no difference in a political campaign as there is in an apology tours by celebrities as both are choreographed scripted and both insincere.

Greed and corruption are the elements keeping many countries from realizing their true potential, China is a good example and America is being pulled down that same path.

[looneycat]

party politics is destroying the country. politicians are not interested in their constituents only their party line. the parties have become so self serving that they no longer work together after elections nor, in their most un-american of actions, do they support whomever the current president is and work for the betterment of the people. term limits and revoking pensions would be a good start.

[Madelaine Amee]

So much good commentary on here. We are all basically of the same opinion, that our country is being destroyed by both political parties and their absolute greed.

BUT, where do we get a Joan of Arc or a modern day messiah to lead a revolution on Washington and turn the politicians on their ear? I certainly don't want to do it, I don't mind yelling and screaming about it, but when it comes to putting my money where my mouth is, I'm gone! So where do we find someone who is eloquent enough to lead a force for change? I am sure that person could be funded just by using the social media, but how do you get the news media, radio and TV to support such an effort. If you did find someone willing to put their all on the line the opposing media would dig into their past and fling up all manner of dirt to make their lives unbearable.

It seems to me, that we have in our apathy made our beds and now have to lie in them. Please someone prove me wrong ..................

[Buffalo Jim]

Spend any time doing some basic historical research and you will realize that " Mud-slinging " has been a long and proud tradition of our political campaigns sine the Constitution was adopted .

[coralway]

Dunno - seems like a couple of months prior to every election cycle we get the same posts about how such terrible liars politicians are - as if that is the roof of all evil.

C'mon people, quit you're whinning and find out for yourself what these people stand for - and against - and then make your best judgment come election day.

That is what free elections are all about.

[KayakerNC]

C'mon people, quit you're whinning and find out for yourself what these people stand for - and against - and then make your best judgment come election day.


Be nice if they told us what they stand for instead of claiming their opponents are Commies and kill kittens for Satan worship. :blahblahblah:

[Bizdoc]

All of this reminds me of a line in a Fugs song that asked "Was George Washington the lesser of two evils?"

[Warren Kiefer]

We are witnessing and accepting first hand there are no viable, honest politicians running for office.

When did we switch as a society to accept the mud slinging demerits of the other person running VS what has the candidate done in their past political careers to deserve one's vote? What are their accomplishments? What will they do for us if elected? Where do they stand on issues of significance.

Have we devolved to accepting the lessor trash?

The situation we find ourselves in politically is so sad. First, it requires tons of money to seek office but shouldn't be so.. I worry that just a few of the very wealthy will soon have control of all elections using the super PAC's to make those billions in contributations. I grow so tired of the lies and distortions that are aired everyday. Generally politicans have no moral compasses and will say anything to get elected. I only hope America can survive this dreadful political path. I for one appreciate your post.:boxing2:

[dotti105]

Two things I feel would help our citizens to be fairly represented:

1. The end of PACS and Super PACS.
-Can you imagine the good all that $$ could do if the corporations and individuals
supporting the PACS and super PACS donated instead to education? Especially since most of the smear campaigns are financed by these. They seldom provide factual information.

2. Initiating a cap on campaign spending.
-Unfortunately in today's political world, the candidate with the most financial backing
seems to come out on top.

There are many ways to improve our very broken system. But these two would be a d*** good start in my humble opinion.

[jebartle]

Why is a political ad more effective when repeated 100's of times...Enough is enough....After this wave of ads get ready for presidential candidates...We need a break....Yipsters!:cus::cus:

[Madelaine Amee]

Term limits and no pension. It should not be a lifetime get rich scheme!

[Bay Kid]

I DON'T trust any of them! They only care about themselves and their friends. They already know they will never do anything that they promise.

[KayakerNC]

Term limits and no pension. It should not be a lifetime get rich scheme!

Totally agree. But that would require congressional legislation. Chances are Slim and None, and Slim left town.

[Madelaine Amee]

Totally agree. But that would require congressional legislation. Chances are Slim and None, and Slim left town.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you 100% and that is why we need a real grass roots organization to at least put the fear of ......... in them and make them realize they are not God's gift to mankind.

[Madelaine Amee]

Why is a political ad more effective when repeated 100's of times...Enough is enough....After this wave of ads get ready for presidential candidates...We need a break....Yipsters!:cus::cus:

..... and this is only mid-term, wait another couple of months for the Presidential ads to start bombarding the airwaves.

[blueash]

Two things I feel would help our citizens to be fairly represented:

1. The end of PACS and Super PACS.
-Can you imagine the good all that $$ could do if the corporations and individuals
supporting the PACS and super PACS donated instead to education? Especially since most of the smear campaigns are financed by these. They seldom provide factual information.

2. Initiating a cap on campaign spending.
-Unfortunately in today's political world, the candidate with the most financial backing
seems to come out on top.

There are many ways to improve our very broken system. But these two would be a d*** good start in my humble opinion.

Agree. But both of these have been tried and the Supreme Court has judged those steps as unconstitutional (by the usual 5-4 vote) So at this point it will either take a Constitutional Amendment or a new justice with a different interpretation of the law to flip the finding on a new test case.

[dotti105]

I also agree on term limits and no insurance or pension.

Our founding fathers expected elected officials to serve, and then go back to their original vocation. They never dreamed of the career politicians we have today.

Many people object to the ACA, but anyone who serves only one term in federal office has top tier health insurance for the rest of their life. That is the health care plan that is truly offensive.

Eliminating this perk would also be on my short list.

[perrjojo]

As I listen to the political ads, I think.....Why are these people running for office? It sounds like they should be in jail.
:cus: :pepper2:

[dotti105]

One of them certainly should.
Having retired last month from HCA, I am all too aware of the details there. We were shocked that someone with that record was ever elected to political office. I hope voters in our state do their homework prior to this election.

[janmcn]

Term limits and no pension. It should not be a lifetime get rich scheme!

Florida has term limits, and it doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference. It just means politicians have to move quicker to feather their nest, be it moving on to another political job or some state or university job or becoming a lobbyist.

[sunnyatlast]

Florida has term limits, and it doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference. It just means politicians have to move quicker to feather their nest, be it moving on to another political job or some state or university job or becoming a lobbyist.

True. And don't forget moving to another state, or to the other party, to run for office from there.

[blueash]

Many people object to the ACA, but anyone who serves only one term in federal office has top tier health insurance for the rest of their life. That is the health care plan that is truly offensive.

Dottie, I have seen that belief repeatedly on this site. It is a complete myth, a packaged anti-ACA wildly wrong piece of political disinformation.


Members of Congress participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program along with about 8 million federal workers, retirees and their dependents. They are subject to the same rules and receive the same coverage.

[sunnyatlast]

Dottie, I have seen that belief repeatedly on this site. It is a complete myth, a packaged anti-ACA wildly wrong piece of political disinformation.


Members of Congress participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program along with about 8 million federal workers, retirees and their dependents. They are subject to the same rules and receive the same coverage.

The only "myth" said here about their insurance is that they get it "for free". They pay about 30% of their premium and the taxpayer pays the other 70%.

Dotti didn't say they get it for free. She said they GET it, and they get many choices by the way. The 20+ private health plans and rates they choose from can all be seen on OPM.gov (http://www.opm.gov) by state.

THAT is what's offensive to average citizens now forced into a bronze ACA plan with premium over $350 per month and a deductible of $4000 with no subsidy for a low middle-income family. It's making them NOT go to the doctor or ER when they need to, because they don't have the cash to pay the bills when deductible isn't met yet!

It's also causing more unpaid bills in ERs and their hospitals, because ERs can't refuse anyone and now more people have a high deductible they cannot pay.

[jbdlfan]

Critical thinking in the schools....are you nuts? Where in the world would we get someone to teach that?

And the last time you set foot in a classroom was??????

[Bavarian]

Two things I feel would help our citizens to be fairly represented:

1. The end of PACS and Super PACS.
-Can you imagine the good all that $$ could do if the corporations and individuals
supporting the PACS and super PACS donated instead to education? Especially since most of the smear campaigns are financed by these. They seldom provide factual information.

2. Initiating a cap on campaign spending.
-Unfortunately in today's political world, the candidate with the most financial backing
seems to come out on top.

There are many ways to improve our very broken system. But these two would be a d*** good start in my humble opinion.

Are you aware of the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Free Speech. And the amounts spent by PACs and Super PAC's are more then matched by union contributions of funds taken from their member's dues. At least with PAC's donations are Voluntary.

[KayakerNC]

Are you aware of the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Free Speech. And the amounts spent by PACs and Super PAC's are more then matched by union contributions of funds taken from their member's dues. At least with PAC's donations are Voluntary.

"Under federal law, union members can fill out a form to opt out of having a portion of their dues go to political activity if they disagree with the organization�s politics. Corporations, on the other hand, do not have to disclose to their investors how they spend money for political advocacy and lobbying, let alone let investors have a say in which candidates or causes the corporation should support. So investors cannot opt out because they don�t even know."
Why unions are not super PACs - Salon.com (http://www.salon.com/2012/07/12/why_unions_are_not_super_pacs/)

[Warren Kiefer]

Are you aware of the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Free Speech. And the amounts spent by PACs and Super PAC's are more then matched by union contributions of funds taken from their member's dues. At least with PAC's donations are Voluntary.

The problem with your information is the fact that billions have been contributed to super PAC's by just FOUR of the worlds richest men while those union contributions are small individual contributions. Those four certainly expect something in return for their billions, those union members don't expect much. Unions are not even close to the the contributations made by less than 10 of the super rich.

[rp001]

Are you aware of the First Amendment to the US
Constitution? Free Speech. And the amounts spent by PACs and Super PAC's are more then matched by union contributions of funds taken from their member's dues. At least with PAC's donations are Voluntary.


Constitution was not written for the benefit of corporations. They are not people and have No rights except for what the right wing has awarded them. They have such large monies and a bought and paid for congress with Supreme Court thrown in. The average voter doesn't have a chance in this rigged society. We are imploding while the greedy rich bleed our society for even more. It's disgusting!

[sunnyatlast]

Here are Top 20 Individual Donors to Super PACs in 2012:

https://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/summ.php?cycle=2014&disp=D&type=V

Here are Top 20 PACs by Total Expenditures 2013-14. It's instructive to click on the PAC name and read more about its cause, if not recognizable by name.

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/toppacs.php?Type=E&cycle=2014&filter=N

[rp001]

Here are Top 20 Individual Donors to Super PACs in 2012:

https://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/summ.php?cycle=2014&disp=D&type=V

Here are Top 20 PACs by Total Expenditures 2013-14. It's instructive to click on the PAC name and read more about its cause, if not recognizable by name.

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/toppacs.php?Type=E&cycle=2014&filter=N

That same site for reference. Change the parameters to be superpacs only. There is where the koch brothers hide their money's in many relatively small amounts with name changes to those superpacs. Just an attempt to distort the truth!

[sunnyatlast]

That same site for reference. Change the parameters to be superpacs only. There is where the koch brothers hide their money's in many relatively small amounts with name changes to those superpacs. Just an attempt to distort the truth!

And it's where Tom Steyer hides his, in the #2 PAC "NextGen Climate Action", and League of Conservation Voters, for starters.

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/superpacs.php?cycle=2014

"NextGen Climate Action Committee is on pace to spend over 50 million, aims to knock on 1 million doors�and is touring Florida in an ark�.."

Tom Steyer's Green Super-PAC Has Spent a LOT of Money on This Election | Mother Jones (http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/09/tom-steyer-climate-change-superpac-2014-midterms)