[MP-Ryan]

I admit that I didn't pay much attention to the USSC rulings in 2010 that paved the way for these Super PACs, but I find it stunning that 2012 appears to be the year where big money - multi-million and billionaires with truly unlimited cash flows - are literally going to buy the Oval office for their favored candidate.  It stuns me that individuals can now donate essentially uncapped amounts of money.  How the hell can anyone else compete with that?

A wikipedia primer on the subject for anyone who has no idea what I'm talking about:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_action_committee

The middle class in the US has been on political life support for a couple decades now, but I strongly suspect this election may finally kill the power.  Am I missing something, or is this as truly crazy as it seems?

[NGTM-1R]

Well, we could get Battuta in here to point out it doesn't appear to actually matter again.

[BrotherBryon]

Colbert has been mocking the whole system for a while now. That decision paved the way for mass corruption that doesn't need to hide behind scandals any more. It's all there right in the open now and perfectly leagal. Be prepared to absolutely be bombarded with political propaganda for the next several months as both sides put their unprecedented deep coffers to use.

[mormon_boy]

solution
1. don't be a sheep

the advertisement problem only exists if every one follows the commercials with the best production value if your not a sheep no amount of money will influence you. though paying off politicians to do stuff is still a concern(see sopa)

[Sushi]

Be prepared to absolutely be bombarded with political propaganda for the next several months as both sides put their unprecedented deep coffers to use.

And this is different from previous years how?

[Alex Heartnet]

So basically, we are going to see a repeat of what the Wisconsin Recall Election was like, only on a national scale?

Come voting day, I am going to have to unplug my phone again.  Good grief...

[stinkyFeet]

What about people who don't really follow politics and still vote? Or people who don't have the internet? The money spent will matter.

On the plus side, this will drive more people to vote so the wingnuts will have less influence on the outcome. Voter turnout was 56% last presidential election.

[NGTM-1R]

What about people who don't really follow politics and still vote?

Vote straight party tickets and are so set in their ways this won't matter. These are the people who normally vote. Nothing will change there.

[Alex Heartnet]

And regardless who actually wins the election, we are still going to wind up with a crook in the oval office, and we won't see any real change on anything but relatively minor issues.

[mormon_boy]

indeed the problem won't be advertising money influencing us its money money influencing politicians

[BrotherBryon]

Be prepared to absolutely be bombarded with political propaganda for the next several months as both sides put their unprecedented deep coffers to use.

And this is different from previous years how?

The sheer volume of cash being dumped into this election season combined with new media outlets means that it will be exponentially worse than previous years. Before one could simply ignore most of it if they choose to, now it will be in your face constantly. Don't believe me watch a youtube video, just about every single clip is preceded by a political attack ad that can't be closed after 15 seconds like other ads.

[mormon_boy]

if the add doesn't let me skip after 5 i just hit refresh till youtube agrees with me or hit mute and do something else while i wait

[Alex Heartnet]

if the add doesn't let me skip after 5 i just hit refresh till youtube agrees with me or hit mute and do something else while i wait

Unless Youtube makes a change that makes the former impossible.

Muting seems like a good idea though, will have to try that.

[mormon_boy]

youtube will try to serve me the same ad over and over but i win in the end

[Klaustrophobia]

adblock still works on youtube.  for now.

[Hellstryker]

solution
1. don't be a sheep

the advertisement problem only exists if every one follows the commercials with the best production value if your not a sheep no amount of money will influence you. though paying off politicians to do stuff is still a concern(see sopa)

What this guy said. Though I won't lie, it'll be annoying as all hell.

[swashmebuckle]

solution
1. don't be a sheep

the advertisement problem only exists if every one follows the commercials with the best production value if your not a sheep no amount of money will influence you. though paying off politicians to do stuff is still a concern(see sopa)

What this guy said. Though I won't lie, it'll be annoying as all hell.

Campaign ads, like any type of advertisement, have an effect on everyone who sees them, not just the "sheep".  Even if your main takeaway from the bombardment is just being annoyed with both parties, they've still triggered an emotional response (or at least been recognized in some way by your brain), which is half the battle for them, and that effect works even if you make a determined effort not to absorb the actual content of their messages.  IMO, the most important thing is the sheer media saturation, which is huge for both parties in projecting the idea that they are the only viable options.

TL/DR: No one is above the influence of Cash Money.

[jr2]

Why would you try not to absorb the content of the message?  Be skeptical and analyze, sure.  But ignore?  Well, I suppose if the ad was just talking points with no real data to back it up, designed solely to goad people to vote based on emotions with no facts backing it up (that's what footnotes are for, lrn 2 use, people!).

[Klaustrophobia]

Why would you try not to absorb the content of the message?  Be skeptical and analyze, sure.  But ignore?  Well, I suppose if the ad was just talking points with no real data to back it up, designed solely to goad people to vote based on emotions with no facts backing it up (that's what footnotes are for, lrn 2 use, people!).

you're talking like you've never seen a campaign ad.

[jr2]

Perhaps because if it doesn't contain information that at least claims to be verifiable, I simply get slightly peeved and cut the power cycles to the related memory sector.    I actually used to subscribe to the e-mail newsletters for one of the parties, IIRC I unsubscribed cause it was all "Rah! Rah! Look at the evilness! Donate so we can fight it!"