Government commercials!

[LuvOrlando]

OK, so I was watching the 007 marathon yesterday and guess what blips on my screen? A Commercial for governmental policy. I stood there open mouthed with my iron in one hand and the starch in the other as I watched some nitwit try to sell me on policy like the issue is in the same league as my toilet paper or detergent.Has everyone lost their minds?

What a disgusting disgrace! Who cares what they have to say, I can't believe they are invading the sanctity of my free time to shove this in my face. People are starving, sad and depressed and some group of out of touch wakos are dropping MILLIONS for advertising. I am both appalled and disgusted and USA network has just dropped about 100% in my esteem. This is a new low.

 

[LuvOrlando]

WOW, is it a fluke that I saw this. Are they not showing on TV in other parts of the country?

 

[daisax]

So you're saying the government sponsored it? Or some political group? I see political ads from political action committees all the time -- "call your senator and tell him blah blah." It's far worse during election season, but now they're flamethrowing about health care.

Doesn't matter who's in power - somebody's always got a beef.

 

[wvjules]

OK, so I was watching the 007 marathon yesterday and guess what blips on my screen? A Commercial for governmental policy. I stood there open mouthed with my iron in one hand and the starch in the other as I watched some nitwit try to sell me on policy like the issue is in the same league as my toilet paper or detergent.Has everyone lost their minds?

What a disgusting disgrace! Who cares what they have to say, I can't believe they are invading the sanctity of my free time to shove this in my face. People are starving, sad and depressed and some group of out of touch wakos are dropping MILLIONS for advertising. I am both appalled and disgusted and USA network has just dropped about 100% in my esteem. This is a new low.

Why have a beef with USA Network. They have ad space for sale, someone bought it. Your anger is misdirected.

 

[rwdavis2]

I agree. I've always wondered how much could be accomplished if the people that advocating taking ever increasing amounts of my income and giving it to others put their effort into taking their own money, money spent on these types of adds, and raising other funds and used that instead?

BD

 

[Missy1961]

I watch USA Network all the time, and I haven't seen one of these commercials yet. Maybe it's just in your area? And I'm not really sure these are "government" commercials, perhaps a PAC is paying for it.

 

[Free4Life11]

What is the big deal? The ad doesn't sound obscene and obviously they paid for it to air. I see no reason to get so worked up over it.

 

[manning]

More than likely the democratic or republic national committee or a group who support whatever the position is, is paying for it, not the government. Usually at the end of the ad it is indicated who is paying for it either by voice, in writing or both.

 

[Allison]

Are you talking about a commercial sponsored and paid for by some private group? That's not new.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I guess I'm missing something. What's the issue? I thought that people bought political ads whenever there something worth lobbying for (elections, major policy proposals, etc). I'd be annoyed if my tax dollars were being spent on policy advocacy ads, but I don't think that is happening, is it?

The sensible solution is to not watch the commercials. We bought a DVR almost a decade ago and have hardly seen any commercials since then. It's great. My kids hardly understand the concept of watching live TV, watch "channels" are, or not being in control of what they watch (pausing, repeating, skipping).

 

[Acklander]

yeah, I always used to hate those stupid "this is your brain on drugs with a side of toast commercials" - thought it was a big waste of money.

 

[Robinrs]

Why have a beef with USA Network. They have ad space for sale, someone bought it. Your anger is misdirected.

This is a slow time of year (right before the sweeps) on TV and right now networks are taking what they can. If it IS a political ad, they don't have much of a choice but to run it. I agree, your anger should be for the policy, but not for the station. They are, like most stations, adhering to FCC policy and profit driven.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

This is a slow time of year (right before the sweeps) on TV and right now networks are taking what they can. If it IS a political ad, they don't have much of a choice but to run it. I agree, your anger should be for the policy, but not for the station. They are, like most stations, adhering to FCC policy and profit driven.

Apparently ABC and NBC aren't feeling the pinch and have refused to run an ad that is critical of government run health care.

It doesn't bother me to see ads run from either side, as long as both are given the opportunity to express their views.

 

[manning]

Apparently ABC and NBC aren't feeling the pinch and have refused to run an ad that is critical of government run health care.

It doesn't bother me to see ads run from either side, as long as both are given the opportunity to express their views.

They're feeling the pinch. It is just against their beliefs.

 

[wvjules]

They're feeling the pinch. It is just against their beliefs.

Since when are networks supposed ot have beliefs?

 

[eliza61]

Uhm folks,
We do know that TV networks make their money from selling ads, right?

Personally, I'm appalled at the networks charging qazillions of dollars for super bowl ads but that's just me.

If we believe in Free market, like every one is screaming they do, then this is no different. USA has advertising time to sell, whomever can pay as long as it passes with the FCC is free to purchase that time.

Nobody's invading any thing, every one has the power to turn the **** tube off.

 

[daisax]

Since when are networks supposed ot have beliefs?

Since when are privately owned corporations not allowed to have beliefs?

At any rate, a lot of places buy airtime via the cable corporation (many channels are owned by the same corporation), and have their ads aired in various places over the course of a month. You can also buy airtime specifically on your LOCAL cable network via Comcast or Times Warner.

I doubt USA had anything much to do with what commercials were airing.