I can’t recall a time when the NRA negotiated with Democrats, but apparently that’s exactly what happened last week. The historically pro-GOP organization took a left turn, striking a deal with the Democratic sponsors of a new piece of legislation. The cleverly- and no doubt expensively-named DISCLOSE Act, or Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections, requires labor unions, corporations, and nonprofits that air political ads or conduct major campaign activities to disclose their top five donors. It also bans foreign companies from paying for such advertising.
The NRA agreed to withdraw its objections to the bill in exchange for an exemption from its disclosure provisions. I am unsure why the NRA would wish to hide which campaigns they support. Here’s a hint: They’re the ones with pro-gun messages. Maybe this is just an effort by the NRA to promote a new leftist agenda of saving puppies and reducing executions. Who knows? Other groups that affected by the exemption for organizations with 500,000 or more members include the Sierra Club and AARP.
The bill, in conjunction exemption, opens the door to a new cottage industry; mass media campaign “middle men” to funnel the money from smaller advocacy groups to larger exempt organizations.
Another question this legislation this raises is whether or not voters are actually influenced by mass-produced political ads. Just about one in every hundred delivers a reasonable message. The last privately-funded ad that truly had an impact was the Swift Boat Veterans’ campaign against John Kerry. That was six years ago, and it led to crappy books that no one read and a crappy movie that no one saw. How many political mailings get read twixt the mailbox and recycling bin? If it isn’t flashy – - and I mean with lights and pop-ups – - I don’t give it even a passing glance.
I think the Americans deserve to know which companies are dropping ridiculous amounts of money to sponsor political ads. If cosumers are moved to change their shopping habits or donors their nonprofit affiliations, so be it. In all likelihood, I won’t be changing my lifestyle over such expenditures, wasteful as they are. I’ve heard Wal-Mart accused of every known corporate evil known to lefties, and I still shop there because you can’t beat their prices. If they donate to a couple of campaigns, I will continue to shop there…Why? Because you can’t beat their prices.
Tim Young was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He
has served his time in government working for multiple Senators on the
Hill as well as former Governor Ehrlich of MD., the Social Security
Administration, and NIH. A spokesperson, manager and strategist for
multiple campaigns, Young has amassed quite a resume of political
experience, ranging from national to grass roots. He holds a law
degree from the University of Baltimore and has completed the
coursework needed for his doctorate in Public Policy. An award
winning stand-up comic, Young leads the creative teams for multiple
non-partisan lobbying efforts as well as nationwide PSA's. 
