William Pfaff (author of The Irony of Manifest Destiny) writes: “The unprecedentedly enormous sums of money required to run for federal office in the United States today go to purchase television and radio campaign time. To gain high office in the United States, it is essential to be a multi-millionaire (literally) or to have a billionaire sponsor. Labor unions once were in a position to underwrite a limited number of candidates. Today, the unions have been so weakened that their financial power is no longer any match to that of business and industry.
“The simple solution is to ban paid political campaign advertising in the broadcasting media, as was the case in the 1930s legislation originally regulating radio’s use of the public airways.”
William Pfaff knows, of course, that the interests that have allowed the system to evolve along the lines he describes will prevent a return to reason unless there is a change of political forces it is hard to imagine at this time.
In Canada, the CRTC has this to say:
“Equitable on-air time during a campaign. Broadcasters in Canada are required to cover elections, and they must give all candidates, parties and issues equitable treatment. Equitable doesn’t mean equal – it means that all candidates and parties get some air time to share their ideas on issues with the public. Equitable treatment applies to the following types of election coverage:
“Paid campaign advertising time. If a broadcaster sells advertising time to one candidate or party, other candidates and parties must also be given the opportunity to buy commercial airtime from that same broadcaster. But what if the demand for advertising time exceeds the airtime available? Broadcasters must divide up the available advertising time on an equitable basis.”
The CBC provides free time to all registered parties: “During federal general election campaigns, the CBC/Radio-Canada will provide free program time to duly registered political parties in accordance with the requirements of the Canada Elections Act and the Broadcasting Arbitrator’s Guidelines issued under the authority of the Act.”
But the CBC also accepts paid political advertising during election campaigns under its own guidelines.
If the relationship between money and politics in Canada is less destructive of democracy, it is entirely due to its good fortune of having been on the receiving end of two empires, and never the centre of one.
Eric Koch’s book, The Weimar Triangle, is available at Indigo-Chapters and in your local bookstore. 
Having a short election campaign time is a great cost cutter as well.
I read a survey the other day that showed labour unions were the largest single lobbying group in the United States. It did come from someone who doesn’t like unions, but it must have some basis in fact.
The Ohio election proves that unions are still a major force. That is what the talking heads say. At this moment think this is a good thing.
I didn’t know the Koch brothers were a registered union.
Are the unions a big part of the 1%.
What does Karl Rove say? He’s always so reliable.