Should we ban campaign ads in print, on radio and television?

Question

It seems to me that politicians are beholden 20% to their voters, and 80% to those who contribute to their campaigns.

If we banned advertising for campaigns, it would force politicians to resort to interviews, press conferences, and debates to generate votes. They would be forced to speak out on issues in order to get elected, not simply trash talk. They would no longer owe Pfizer, Exxon and Halliburton favors for past election and future election campaign dollars.

What do you think?

Answer 1

Ya they should put some more restrictions on them but the problem is,to do that would require politicians to do it.And well, that is how politicians get their names out so they would be having to go against themselves pretty much.
I doubt it'll ever happen.

Answer 2

Yes, advertisements should be restricted. Maybe not totally banned, but at least reduced to less than copious amounts of attempted brain-washing. I'm simply tired of advertisements all around. Honestly, the mud-slinging and annoyances make me not want to vote for anyone.

I'm sick of hearing, every other commercial while trying to watch a program, of finger pointing. The first commercial will be of one side saying, "He wants to raise your taxes, and he signed a bill condoning the abuse of furry animals!" While the very next commercial from the other side will say, "Well, he wants to put your husband out of a job by moving companies overseas, and he's a drug abuser!" I mean, really, can we not run an honest campaign based on your views without slamming the opponent?

I'm really, really annoyed with the political phone calls. Every time there's any kind of election around here, almost every evening I get a phone call with some recording trying to convince me who to vote for. It conveniently happens when I sit down for dinner. I can think for myself, and if I wanted to hear about the campaign, I'd turn on the news. The biggest annoyance, is that often times the political phone calls are awfully one-sided.

I'm tempted to start voting for whomever bugs me the least. I already find myself turning away from those who mud-sling their way to the top. It's not a respectable way to run a campaign, in my opinion.

Answer 3

Sounds good to me. However, it's not just the conservatives that take money from lobbyists. You forgot to mention: The Sierra Club, Greenpeace, ACORN, PETA, etc.

We would also need to regulate how much time each politician got on the air to make it equal, or someone like CBS (who faked a news story about GW right before the Presidential election) might give more time to the candidate they wanted to win.

This would really allow anyone to run for office. Sadly, unless you have a lot of money backing you, you simply can't win an election because no one knows who you are.

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Answer 4

I think that they will never enact any laws that would take away the freebies that their lobbyist are giving them. NO WAY. NOT NOW NOT EVER!