FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794
Thank you Registered!
Thank you Registered!
Using someone else's property without compensation is THEFT!
Your "fine American patriot" lately enjoys urinating and/or defacating on the Constitution he swore to uphold and defend.
The whole idea is based on a false premise: that television is an effective means of informing the public on candidate characteristics. Whether it is via "free media" or paid advertising, the "message" that Mort is so wound up about is a simple grab for votes like an ad for Nike is a grab for money. And as such, it is not always in the best interests of the company (candidate) to present a complete and accurate picture.
Free media pieces are as scripted as the paid ads, and have as much substance. Though I disagree with most newspaper editorial boards (because most tilt leftward), editorials at least must adhere to rules of logic and truth.
While it would be impossible (illegal) to do so, the public would be better informed if television representations of candidates were banned altogether.
Huh? McCain is a "media" hero but he is up against the "broadcasters". In general, aren't the "media" and "broadcasters" the SAME people?
We owe "Lieutenant Dan" (ala Forrest Gump) McCain because of his military service. We just don't owe him as much as he has taken recently and what he wants now.
Depriving the media of ad revenue ain't it.
Broadcasters are already burdened with price controls on political advertising. The amount of work required to protect a TV station's income stream in the months prior to political seasons is phenomenal.
A station must be extremely careful not to accidentally schedule a low dollar client - or zero dollar bonus spots for the higher paying clients - in large revenue generating time periods.
If you let Mom & Pop in for $50, or 'super-size' Toyota's buy with a free spot, McCain gets the same rate when he comes calling.
Then there's the blanket two hours of political coverage per week. Rule #1 in TV: All markets are different. In some markets, especially the big ones, there are dozens of politicians fighting for air time. Some smaller markets, may not even be as big as a congressional district. Is it fair to make Ottumwa, Iowa AND New York City dedicate the same amount of time each to political coverage?
TV stations don't have the same liberty as radio stations when it comes to commercial inventory. A radio station can create room for more commercials by simply deleting one song per hour. That's not the case in TV. The amount of commercial time available is determined by the programming (except for local news, which CAN be easily manipulated for inventory purposes) If you get six minutes of time in FRIENDS, you get six minutes. You can't delete part of the show to make room for the politicians.
Free political ads would also take away slots that paid advertisers might have reserved - and in the political season, they would take away most, if not all of the TV stations inventory. These free spots would flood the airwaves beyond the levels they now occupy, displacing paying customers - who also have the right to buy advertising when they want and where they want.
There's a first amendment right no one talks about - perhaps Sears could sue McCain for violation of their rights as an advertiser?
GET RID OF THIS FREELOADER !!
No, MD, we would FReep the poll because FREE TV time for candidates is just plain socialism.
AND SINCE you won't post the poll, I'd be happy to, as a public service for the Freepers who are dedicated to conservatism...
VOTE HERE to let McCain's Straight Talk America people know what you think about FREE TV TIME for Candidates!
PS - and I'm PINGING a few friends to help out in the poll!
Anytime employees of the government use the word free you can be assured the taxpayers are going to get it in the end - (literally).
WWW.BOLSHEVIKS-R-US.COM.
It would have been, provided we had a President who was willing to veto it.
Ahh, don't be such a pessimist. Dubya will sign anything. Just send it up there..
It's difficult because the mighty broadcast TV industry - which is gorging itself on political advertising revenue while spending precious little on political coverage - will fight the idea with all the influence it can muster.
Oh! so now they will have to spend their money fighting ridiculous legslation. Just like the NRA has to waste resources fighting an UnConstitutional CFR bill.
I am sure McCain can add a clause in there somewhere giving the incumbent the upper hand..
Then they can pass it, and Dubya will sign it.
Yawn..