Truth in Politics

I have found in researching political advertisings, PACs, parties and candidates can say whatever they like without regard to truth and responsibility. The reason given is that the First Amendment guarantees their right to do this. I disagree. The First Amendment says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” It’s the section that says “or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press” that is pointed to as the reason that nothing can be done about political ad content. This is just wrong. As private citizens we enjoy laws that protect us against libel and slander, which somehow does not violate the First Amendment. So how is it that being in politics somehow voids libel and slander laws? The First Amendment coupled to FCC Regulations concerning equal time for candidates, topped off with laws that have no teeth, feed the current climate among political candidates of lies and outright false statements and innuendos against rivals. It appears expedient for the judicial system to not referee political advertising, yet it is apparent to all who see these ads with lies, exaggerations and complete misrepresentation of the facts, that something MUST be done. The history of appalling ads and FCC forceful assertion that lies, slander and libel, misrepresentations, racial slurs and worse, must be run and be printed, is documented in newspapers, electronic media and internet sites. Unfortunately, these reports are all too often placed where the masses wont see them. Where there are state commissions to monitor and restrict false advertising, there are no teeth. These commissions simply have no power to stop or pull ads. That power is relegated to the individual that placed the ad, and if they don’t want to cease running the spot, it will continue running its course. The damage done by these ads is unbelievable. Candidates have had their reputations and their lives ruined. Citizens have been duped into voting for liars and malicious political hacks who prove by the method they achieved office that they do not have the best interest at heart, but only their craving for power.