The Krakowski Formula

The ruinously high cost of running for political office in the U.S. tends to sabotage the democratic process. Polish-born Mathematician Martin Krakowski, a private consultant in Washington, has an idea that might not and exorbitant campaign spending but would at least keep every candidate nervously honest.

According to the Krakowski formula, every paid political advertisement on TV or radio or in print would have to be accompanied by a report of how much the ad cost and how much the candidate had spent to date on political spiels. Thus: "The following announcement was purchased by the Gerry Mander for Congress Committee for $1,800. Total television expenditures for Candidate Mander as of 10 p.m., Oct. 6, 1972, are $121,500."

The inequity between rich and poor candidates would continue. But by anchoring every political flight of fancy to the crass facts of money, the Krakowski formula would be a form of truth in packaging, a modest destroyer of the adman's theatrical illusions whereby so many candidates are elected.

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