American politics is too often dishonest, dirty and despicable. It is too often a disgrace for a supposedly democratic society. Political campaigns are too often the worst practices of advertising and manipulation. They are too often a study in the worst practices of American "win-at-any-cost" philosophy. Selling political candidates is like selling old-time snake oil. A decent society should promote honest politics. A decent society should promote honest political advertising. We propose that political candidates who are running for office willingly adopt a code of honesty and integrity for their advertising. It's the "Peanut Butter Rule." Political ads should be as honest and reliable as ads for peanut butter. Ads which live up to the standard would get a seal or statement to display on their ads or to incorporate into their ads. The seal would attest that the advertising comports with principles of integrity which the candidate willingly adopted. Ads which fail to comport with the principles would not receive the seal. We suggest three or possibly four principles. l. The advertisement is honesty and truthful. It is not misleading, deceptive or a distrotion. It does not violate the law or Constitution. A reasonable adult could confidently rely on what the advertisement asserts. 2. The advertisement does not slur, demean or exploit anyone's race, ethnicity, sex or religion. It does not espouse hatred of any person. It does not espouse bigotry. 3. The advertising for a candidate, where taken as a whole, is within a financial cap agreed to or fixed for each given election contest. The financial cap should never exceed $1 for each eligible voter in the particular contest. The candidates will agree on the financial cap between/among themselves or, in the alternative, the cap will be set by the non-partisan panel. 4. [Tentative Principle:) The advertissment is not placed on/in completely partisan media (such as the Fox "News" Channel), foreign media or in any way which demeans any person. Each piece of advertising which seeks the seal would be submitted to the non-partisan panel of seven proctors composed of diverse non-advertising and non-political persons. The seal would be granted or denied within five days. With each submission would be substantiation for each claim made in the advertisment. Each submission would include a modest fee to pay for the review and evaluation, the fee to be uniform for all candidates, based on the length of the advertisement. We urge the creation of the panel (or panels) and the review system by one or more reputable groups such as the League of Women Voters, the ACLU, the Bar Association or others. It would be an enormous service to the integrity and dignity of the American electoral process. It would curb negative ads and dirty tactics. Each voter who views or hears a political advertisement could decide how much trust to place in the ad's claims based on integrity seal or the lack of it. The voter would have the opportunity to question why a particular candidate's ads had no seals. Rebecca's Bargain Antiques Collectible Vintage Photos Fine Prints - Old Maps Sheet Music - Old Books Elegant Antiques and Collectibles "Sometimes I wonder which side God's on," John Wayne in The Longest Day, 1962 You are welcome to use or republish any of our material. Please give www.prisoners.com credit as the source. Return to the New and Interesting Items Menu. Return to the News Items and Media Menu. Return to the Politicians and Politics Menu. Return to the Main Menu. Go to our site's Search Engine. Send us Your Comments, Questions or Input.