Our Supreme Court struck down this week a big piece of what many considered campaign reform. Large moneyed interests, corporations, etc. will not be barred from being able to put on advertisements promoting their political views on issues. To do so, in the Court’s opinion, is to limit right of political expression by those who have the big bucks to do so. Once again the Other Golden Rule applies; Let those who have the gold, rule.
Okay so big corporations are now in the position to have even greater influence over the decisions that affect all Americans. Could we have at least this one piece of sanity? How about at the end of every ad, the source of the money that paid for that ad has to be clearly stated and boldly displayed? That way everyone with an axe to grind gets to grind it, but at least I know who is grinding that axe and as a voter I have a bit more perspective about whether I want to fully trust in what that ad says.
When I say, “clearly labeled,” I mean it. No shell names like, Americans for Health Care, when the money comes from Blue Cross, Blue Shield and United Health Care. No Americans for a Cleaner Environment endorsement, rather a prominent line that goes, “This ad paid for by the Gas and Oil Corporations of America, Chevron, Standard Oil, Mobil.” I’m not talking about a disclaimer size note that flashes for a millisecond in fuzzy light gray print at the bottom of the screen. I say if you want to try to persuade folks, be forthright about it. Clearly say who you are so folks can decide for themselves. After all every letter to the editor has the name and town of the person submitting it.
I’m sure there are a million details that would have to be worked out and I leave that to the politicians. My point is simply this, every company or group of corporations with the money to influence my vote, ought to stand up and proudly label themselves. Tell me, and the rest of America, who you are, and then let me and every other citizen decide who we will vote for—who best represents the interests of our country. By the way, my name is Tim Mabbott and I’m the pastor of a Christian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. And this is my opinion until someone convinces me otherwise; we’re all entitled to one even if we don’t have a million dollars to proclaim it.
Okay so big corporations are now in the position to have even greater influence over the decisions that affect all Americans. Could we have at least this one piece of sanity? How about at the end of every ad, the source of the money that paid for that ad has to be clearly stated and boldly displayed? That way everyone with an axe to grind gets to grind it, but at least I know who is grinding that axe and as a voter I have a bit more perspective about whether I want to fully trust in what that ad says.
When I say, “clearly labeled,” I mean it. No shell names like, Americans for Health Care, when the money comes from Blue Cross, Blue Shield and United Health Care. No Americans for a Cleaner Environment endorsement, rather a prominent line that goes, “This ad paid for by the Gas and Oil Corporations of America, Chevron, Standard Oil, Mobil.” I’m not talking about a disclaimer size note that flashes for a millisecond in fuzzy light gray print at the bottom of the screen. I say if you want to try to persuade folks, be forthright about it. Clearly say who you are so folks can decide for themselves. After all every letter to the editor has the name and town of the person submitting it.
I’m sure there are a million details that would have to be worked out and I leave that to the politicians. My point is simply this, every company or group of corporations with the money to influence my vote, ought to stand up and proudly label themselves. Tell me, and the rest of America, who you are, and then let me and every other citizen decide who we will vote for—who best represents the interests of our country. By the way, my name is Tim Mabbott and I’m the pastor of a Christian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. And this is my opinion until someone convinces me otherwise; we’re all entitled to one even if we don’t have a million dollars to proclaim it.
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