My name is a citizen vocal about the issue of misleading advertising that I believe has reached appalling heights. I am not just talking about political advertisements, although these are the most visible and blatant. These ads are not only distasteful but detrimental, sowing seeds of discord among the population. Despite my personal grievances, this extends far beyond political advertisements. False advertising in any form should be considered a grievous offense.

The dissemination of false information cripples the marketplace of ideas, hampers informed decision-making, and ultimately erodes public trust. This applies to every form of advertising, political or commercial. Freedom should never be a license to lie to the public. Like other scams and fraudulent practices which are felonies, false advertising should not be exempt.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, deceptive advertising “is judged from the perspective of a reasonable consumer,” but this fails to deal with the gravity of the issue at hand. It leaves room for loopholes and manipulative practices that toe the line of legality but still mislead consumers. This is not enough.

We propose that false advertising should be defined more stringently and treated with the severity it deserves: as a federal offense. We call for legislation making it mandatory to verify claims made in ads, to protect consumers and ensure transparency in the market.

Help us take a stand against false advertising. Sign the petition and join the movement to demand truth, transparency, and trustworthiness in all advertising. Your signature can make a difference.