This seems like a reasonable idea.
Quote from Tom Hefferman
“”We have to stop the insane donation-bribery scheme that plays right into the hands of billionaires and special interests. With all their billions, Elon Musk and the other billionaires can afford to buy the loyalty of a majority of our elected officials. This is a major flaw in our system, but we can fix it.
Unlimited donations following the Citizens United ruling have morphed into political bribery. Of course, large donations come with strings attached. Leverage can be easily applied with a gentle reminder of what their funding source wants. This corruption is pervasive, insidious, and systemic. Our democratic system has been hijacked, but there may be a way to get it back. We’re in this position because it’s so incredibly expensive to run for office. What if there was a way to make it far less expensive? Like it was when our country started?
The founders never meant for the rich to rule this country. They overthrew a rich and powerful king. Americans believe in the one person, one vote principle. Unfortunately, broadcast advertising has created the need to raise massive amounts of money to run for office, and that has set this cherished principle on its head. It’s far too late to expect broadcasters to run ads for free, but we could find a better way to pay the bill.
According to the National Broadcasters Association (NAB), radio and television advertising sales exceed $1.03 trillion annually. One percent of a trillion is $10 Billion. Why not impose a 1% sales tax on broadcast advertising and then use that money to buy airtime for candidates on both sides? Over the two years between elections, that would amount to $20 billion. That’s enough to pay for the advertising for every federal candidate.
How are politicians supposed to represent all the people, be fair-minded, and be objective when they’re taking money from entrenched special interests that refuse to compromise? That’s an impossible expectation. I’m sure the broadcasters will protest, but one percent is very little and won’t hurt their business. For example, in most states consumers pay between 4% and 9% in sales tax when they shop at their local stores, and people still shop. Once again, just to be clear, it would be advertisers paying the one percent, not consumers.
This plan is well justified legally. The Radio Act of 1929 created the FCC and clearly established that the airwaves belong to the American people. It also established that license holders pay certain fees and are required to act in the public interest. Unfortunately, the law didn’t clearly define what “in the public interest” meant. Politicians shouldn’t have to sell their souls to buy airtime during elections. That certainly is not in the public interest.
The FCC regulates radio, television, cell phones, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states. It’s time we used the FCC to collect the funds needed for our elections so that our politicians are not susceptible to donation bribery and economic control by billionaire oligarchs. Let’s stop being brainwashed into thinking we can’t correct the situation.””
