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As someone who has been following elections for a long time, I have been struck by both the number and the toxicity of this year’s TV ads. I’d be curious to know how much this non-stop assault affects the outcome of our elections. Most people knew who they were voting for a year ago, and those who don’t at this point probably won’t bother to vote. I expect a lot of mute buttons are getting a workout.
Still, the amount of money spent — wasted? — on these ads is staggering. Once again, immigrant Elon Musk, is weighing in with another $366 million contribution to fund the mudslinging. This is on top of the roughly $300 million in the last election cycle. That’s pocket change for him, of course, but what does this “tech bro” have to offer conservative voters, aside from money? His one brief stint in government as the DOGE guy was an absolute disaster that will end up costing much more than it saved.
There is way too much money coming in from out-of-state billionaires for these elections. Nearly 100 billionaires and their spouses have donated to reelect Sen. Collins, including the head of the private equity firm that bought and closed the Jay and Bucksport paper mills.
None of these inescapable ads is addressing problems that matter like the $40 trillion national debt that is growing by more than $40 billion a week, or the precarious finances of Social Security and Medicare.
I urge Maine voters to ignore these self-serving billionaires and their lying ads and learn the facts before you vote.
Peter Pfeiffer
Solon