Guess Who's Profiting Most From Super PACs?

[babylonsister]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/08/07/guess_whos_profiting_most_from_super_pacs.html




August 07, 2012

Guess Who's Profiting Most From Super PACs?


Rolling Stone: "While TV stations are required by law to offer discounted airtime to politicians, Super PACs have to pay market rates... In essence, broadcasters are now profiteering from a vicious circle of corruption: Politicians are beholden to big donors because campaigns are so expensive, and campaigns are so expensive because they're fought through television ads. The more cash that chases limited airtime, the more the ads will cost, and the more politicians must lean on deep-pocketed patrons. In short, the dirtier the system, the better for the bottom line at TV stations and cable systems."



http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/guess-whos-profiting-most-from-super-pacs-20120806?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=inbound&utm_campaign=thirdparty

[JoePhilly]

1. This is why the media is doing every thing they can to keep the election close.

And to portray every state as a battleground state.

[Scuba]

2. I propose a stiff tax on superpac ads. Say 200%. No, 500%. No, 1000%. Now we're getting there.

[BlueToTheBone]

3. What started out as free and fair air time

has now become a cash cow. Our airwaves.

[KharmaTrain]

4. It's Not Helping Hate Radio...

With revenues way down due to a depressed consumer economy and compeition from the internet, TV and radio were hoping to get a good chunk of all that Citizens United money and dreamed big. It's not quite turning out that way. While TV stations in swing states can't sell enough time, those in the solid red or blue aren't seeing much activity at all. Maybe heated local races will help in those areas but it appears a majority of the teevee money will be spent in about 8 states or it'll be spent on the cables over the local stations.

Hate radio was hoping for a big bonanaza...and they need it desperately. Radio revenues are a fraction of what they were a decade ago and many stations (including a lot that are owned by Bain/Cheap Channel) are barely breaking even. Their problem is preaching to the choir...Democrats have no need to spend money on those stations as well as "establishment" rushpublicans. The primaries were supposed to be a jackpot and turned into a bust. With such a polarized electorate (thanks to hate radio), the "moderate middle" that both parties are going after don't listen to radio...or at least hate radio...

[malaise]

5. Ding ding we have a winner

So now the 'truth' is irrelevant to the so called 4th estate - profits rule.

[fredamae]

6. .......and we have 5 or 6 people who Own

All Media? Is this is partly Why "trickle down" Never happens...they just recycle "the" money Back to themselves with-in a tight little circle-using "business" investments as write-offs etc? I've wondered about this for awhile..how massive monopolization actually works---doesn't work for the rest of us.