By Ellie Bache

I hate this time of year every two years. It is an election year and I am inundated with political ads. It is nonstop all day. Some ads make some very outlandish statements. I am not tech savvy and do not DVR.

But the DVR would give me the freedom to skip these annoying ads. Political ads are annoying but research seems to indicate that they rile up the base and they help with fundraising. So I guess if I can't DVR them, I will get up and have a snack during the length of the ad. I better make a note to only eat "low calorie" snacks.

I have learned that political ads are treated differently than commercials. Truth in advertising is regulated by the FCC in commercials but NOT in political ads. Also broadcast networks are required to air political ads unchanged even if the content is lies. I have called all these "political ads" but there are two types: [1]. Candidate ads and [2]. Issue ads, also known as political action committee (PAC) ads.

The Candidate ads must be aired unchanged by broadcast networks according to FCC rules. TV stations are not required to air PAC ads and many stations check with their legal team first. PAC ads may be slanderous and the station determines if it is wise to air the message. Candidate ads are protected by the First Amendment. One person’s lie, which is not really a lie, is somebody else’s truth. That’s the way politics seems to work.

I don't want to turn off the T.V. for a few months. My solution is to read up on the candidates and ask my friends. When I do come back from the kitchen with my snack and hear some of the negative ads, it makes me wonder what that candidate has to hide. I have always been a positive person and try to see the good in others. Negative ads turn me away from that candidate.

Well early voting is October 28-November 5th. Election day will be November 8th. Finally all the Political ads will be over. They will be replaced with infomercials, weight loss plans, car warranty ads, etc. I am not sure what could be worse! I guess a DVR is on my wish list before the 2024 elections.