The 2014 midterm elections are the most expensive to date, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, with supporters of Republican and Democratic candidates pouring an estimated $3.67 billion into campaigns this election cycle. Because of the large sums of money, the Federal Communications Commission is weighing an expansion of ad disclosure rules before the 2016 cycle.
The Hill reports that the FCC is still drafting the proposed expansions to current disclosure rules, but intends to complete the process before the first 2016 primaries. A draft of the rule circulated by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler on Thursday shows that the proposed change would require cable, satellite and radio companies to post information online about political ad buys, bringing these companies into line with broadcast television stations.
Broadcast stations have had to disclose the size of ad buys and the sponsoring person, campaign or group who footed the bill since 2012.
These disclosures are intended to promote transparency by showing Americans where the money moving the wheels of politics is coming from.
Looking at just the $3.67 billion figure, it can be easy to see money as a significant and potentially corrupting influence in American politics.
But how much do Americans really spend on elections? To put it in perspective, the Washington Examiner looked at some of the things Americans spend more on than attack ads and campaigning.
The $3.67 billion poured into campaign coffers is a drop in the stein compared to the approximately $83 billion Americans spent on beer in 2013. Or the $69 billion spend by residents of 43 states and the District of Columbia who hoped to get rich quick with a winning lottery number.
It is also a little more than half of what Americans spend annually at Taco Bell ($6 billion in 2013) and on potato chips (also around $6 billion in 2013.)
There is a lot of money in politics, certainly, but at least for the time being, it looks like Americans prefer snacking to campaigning.
