So I've been reading some wonderful navels by Joseph Flynn. In particular, I've been reading the "Henchman" series. What I'm about to propose ... in a way ... was put into writing by Mr. Flynn, all as part of certain characters' ideas.
These are the most cogent and respectable suggestions about changes to our government and politics to come along in a while. Any mistakes in presentation are completely mine, not his. It goes like this:
What if the Attorney General were to enforce the Truth in Advertising laws, in political ads in print, on TV and the radio? If any politician, PAC, or other special interest group or individual produces an ad which is clearly disinformation, lies, or any other kinds of things which do not comply with Truth in Advertising statutes, those responsible, up to and including the senior management of the network or publication on/in which the ads were presented, are all charged for those violations, tried and possibly convicted, then sentenced?
It seems like Swift-Boating Ads would swiftly disappear. Ads, like those presented by the Romney campaign - especially when his people were not guided by facts - would put everyone from the production staff to the politician who approves that message, would be similarly in deep yogurt.
Wouldn't the face of politics become more realistic? Candidates would be left with presenting - in all honesty - their ideas and the reasons the public should vote for them, rather than their opponents.
A simple change to the way that politics is done in America, but it would domino down to all aspects of the candidates' ways of doing business.
Now, take this one step further:
If any politician or party starts to do things, like present legislation, which are completely against the wishes of the people who voted them into office, then those politicians could be held in contempt. Just as any individual can be held in Contempt of Congress, the opposite can be true - hold congress in Contempt of the People!
As the song goes: What a Wonderful World This Would Be!