Letters: Election ads repeat negative misinformation until people believe it

Rhoda London’s Jan. 14 letter, about teaching her gifted students to analyze advertising, was very enlightening. It helps us to better recognize how ads successfully convince us to buy what they’re selling.

As an example, she cited the negative ad degrading Leanna Cumber. Although I’m neither for nor against Ms. Cumber, I was also bothered by the continuous repetition of this particular political ad.

More than the ad itself, TV spots are expensive and it had me wondering about the size of the candidate’s “war chest,” who contributes to it and stands to gain the most if (in this case) Daniel Davis becomes our new mayor. I also wondered why this particular ad has become as ubiquitous as those annoying Medicare Advantage ads.

All of this wondering caused me to investigate the psychology behind negative advertising and discovered terminology that explains it: The illusory truth effect, generally defined as the tendency to believe false information to be correct the more one hears it.

We voters often complain that there’s too much money in politics. We say we’re sick and tired of the negativity that pervades public discourse. But, if that is true, then why do the candidates with the most money and negative ads win? The answer is obvious. It’s because money buys TV time and the continuous exposure of negative information wins votes.

The TV ads, mailers that stuff our mailboxes and signs all cost lots of money. Therefore, money buys votes.

Sadly, I doubt there will ever come a time when a candidate with the smallest “war chest,” who is the least compromised by big donors, and who puts his or her constituents first, can be elected to public office. Then again, why not? Understanding the manipulation used in political advertising could be the first step to making it happen.

Lynn Shimp, Neptune Beach

The flow of fascism

Fascism begins with a trickle and then really begins to flow. Gov. DeSantis was elected governor and then re-elected. In his first term, a few hints of fascism appeared — he encouraged banning of books, limiting curriculum in classrooms (especially anything to do with racial history) and any discussion of LBGTQ issues.

Let's not forget the duly elected state attorney that DeSantis removed from office because he didn't like what he had to say.

Now there is something worse: a disallowance of any teaching of African American Studies at all high schools with Advanced Placement programs.

Why? The reasons are vague and educators are trying to adjust courses to provide a full education for the states' students, not just what DeSantis thinks is acceptable.

This could be the beginning of a fascist regime that DeSantis will want to impose on the entire country. It is no secret that he plans to run for president of the United States.

We currently have a liberal democracy, in which Congress decides on the laws, the president can veto them and then be over-ridden by Congress.

On the other hand, an illiberal democracy is one in which the leader is elected but controls all the laws of the land. This is seen in Hungary, Iran, some South American countries and China, to name a few.

To me, it’s clear that DeSantis has the makings of an illiberal leader who just wants control and cannot stand any opposition. What is happening in many countries in the world could happen here if he were elected president.

Terri Quint, Ponte Vedra

'Constitutional' carry a slippery slope

In response to the Jan. 21 guest column objecting to permitless carry, I will address only the “constitutional” part of the issue.

Logic says that training, laws and enforcement apply to potentially lethal automobiles, so that should also work for guns. I personally think no one should have a gun without extensive training and practice. We would all be safer.

I also think no one should vote without a basic understanding of how government works, the issues and candidates’ platforms. We would be less polarized and more functional — hence safer.

As much as I wish it were so, the Constitution denies any attempt to “improve” the voting of citizens. There are no tests, no poll taxes and (some would argue) even no ID required.

The same applies to gun ownership. “We the People” means the citizen reigns supreme — and carries the personal responsibility of properly exercising the rights of citizenship.

So, you and I cannot impose our logic or beliefs on other citizens by laws that contradict their constitutional rights. If you want to restrict gun owners, I want folks that pass a civics class to get two votes. Who writes the rules and controls what’s taught, anyway?

Thank God the Founding Fathers were smart enough to keep us from that slippery slope.

Bill Daniel, Jacksonville

Orleck numbers don't add up

Reading the Jan. 20 article about the Shipyards deal and the issue of parking for the USS Orleck Museum, I was struck by the imprecise language of Mr. Bean from the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association.

The article says the Orleck had 12,000 visitors over the past two months. Mr. Bean claims “huge economic impact on the city.” He then backtracks a little, saying he knows that all 12,000 did not come just for the Orleck but “thousands did.”

Did 12,000 people actually board the ship and tour the exhibits? I just wonder how he differentiates between those that came just to see the Orleck and those that didn’t. His comments make it clear he is estimating the number that came just for the ship. Additionally, how does he measure the “huge economic impact?”

To be fair, I did not support bringing the Orleck to Jacksonville, as it failed in its previous location. The museum suggests that visitors donate $15 per adult and $10 per child.

Transparency about the viability of this undertaking would be welcome. If the 12,000 number is correct, then perhaps we could learn the funds taken in from visitors by the museum in that two-month period.

Dennis J. Egan, Jacksonville

Jacksonville’s beauty is a memory

Our elected officials, City Council and the mayor will hopefully take a hard look at Jacksonville and recognize there is an issue with the destruction of natural resources. The continuation of residential overdevelopment is hurting our city. The COJ is at a critical point and should consider a development moratorium.

Pristine lands full of wildlife have become asphalt and concrete, void of any nature. It is heartbreaking to look across this city and see the destroyed natural beauty.

Instead of clearcutting the forests and concreting the land, why not offer incentives for residents to move into older neglected or abandoned neighborhoods? Examples include reduced property tax (or no property tax) for five years, as well as no interest on home improvement or repair loans for home purchasers. Just like other organizations, put in the work and reside in the home for a minimum number of years to benefit from a low- or no-interest purchase loan.

These incentives could be passed on to the residents who have not fled these communities so they can share in the regeneration. The monies saved or not spent on infrastructure could be substantial. Reinvesting in the communities is money well spent.

Debra Alvarez, Jacksonville

Symphony fundraisers need research

According to a Jan. 22 Times-Union article, the Indigo Girls will perform with the Jacksonville Symphony in an upcoming fundraiser to support JASMYN.

I only wish that the symphony officers, foundation board, board of directors and other leaders had done their due diligence, like Duval County Public Schools did regarding certain program materials of JASMYN. This led to the end of a 20-year partnership with the organization.

While symphony enthusiasts and ticket holders should support any fundraiser close to their hearts, I caution them to do their research. Review an organization’s mission, vision and guiding principles, as well as recent news releases, to determine if this is how they really want to spend their entertainment dollars.

Susan Cooney, Jacksonville

Disappointing mayor's race

It looks like we have multiple candidates running to become the next mayor of the city of Jacksonville. Unfortunately, none of them are sharing what their action plans will be if they are successful.

Instead, we have what I believe are TV ads sponsored by political action committees, all of which only focus on JEA and who was on the right side of the privatization issue. Seems to me that this is ancient history.

Let’s focus on where the city is going. We have real problems and we need serious debates on how to solve them.

Peter Baci, Jacksonville Beach

Fiscal accountability needed

For the past eight years, Jacksonville has had a Republican administration. The Republican Party is rooted in the concept of fiscal responsibility. How then can we, the people of Jacksonville, be saddled with a pension fund debt that keeps climbing to record heights?

The least we should expect from nearly a decade of conservative guidance is financial accountability. Who is to blame?

Michael Lawrence, Avondale

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Election ads repeat misinformation until people believe it