Let's put a huge tax on political ads

Not a day goes by when we don't see, hear or read about the state of Illinois' revenue woes. And, not a day goes by without each of us being bombarded with political ads.

Let's see if we can link these two issues together to form a win-win situation. I propose that a 200 percent tax be levied on the cost of every ad paid for by the candidate's own campaign fund. Furthermore, a 400 percent tax on ads paid for by a PAC. This would include all television, radio, newspaper, postal, billboards, etc.

As of now, the only ones profiting are the media outlets. As taxpayers, we should get a share of the pie. That tax money should go directly into the state's general revenue fund. I wouldn't mind watching the ad depicting Pritzker smashing his toilets for the 600th time, if it meant some tax revenue just went into the improvement of our schools, road repairs, maintaining our social programs, or (dare I even whisper this) reducing property taxes.

Could this tax ever get passed? Well, I'm confident the overwhelming majority of taxpayers would be for it. The major opposition would be from, you guessed it, politicians. How sadly ironic is that? The individuals who are spending tens of millions of dollars to convince you and me that they will champion our causes and fight for the collective will of the people would stifle and ultimately crush this tax.

Hey, I just glanced up at the television. There's J.B. again. He's smashing another toilet. That's number 601 and counting.

Bill McKas

Roselle