Let's End Negative Attack Ads.

I am not at all impressed with the Conservatives' unleashing attack campaign style ads against Stephane Dion... especially before any writ has been dropped!

I have to blame the voters (myself included sometimes!) for buying into the negative campaigning. If we the voters decided to protest against negative campaigning, in a serious way, then maybe both sides will stop. It's a marketplace thing.

Many of us express our revulsion at these kinds of negative ads, however the operatives will just look you in the eye and say two words "They work." an for the most part they do.

However here are times when they accomplish the opposite of what they intendd. I was told a story about a Democrat who in 1964, while attending a Boston University (not sure which one) got so sick and tired of the Democratic attacks on Barry Goldwater that he said to himself that if he heard one more unwarranted put down of Barry Goldwater, he'd vote for him.... sure enough he was pushed over the edge, and never voted for another Democrat again.

Remember what happened to Sen. Joe Pothole D'amato, who should have been re-elected, but for that disgusting campaign he ran against Charles Schumer.

All parties need to be sent that message.

Can we at least have some honest civilized discussion of issues and ideas rather than personalites?

I, for one, am sick of spin doctors, most of whom should be sued for political malpractice setting the political agenda After all, we are trying to elect someone responsible, and practical who will have the job of guiding the ship of state through some very troubled waters. Legitimate criticism of ideas and policies is one thing, and should be encouraged, but smear and ad-hominem attacks should have no place in public discourse. ( I am preaching this sermon as much to myself as anyone else!).

If , like me, are insulted that hard-nosed marketing specialists and political operatives think they can manipulate us into buying an inferior product because it is not quite as bad as the other, please consider joining me in voting for a candidate or party who shows a strong grasp of meaningful issues, and relies on their ability to communicate their convictions, rather than dig up dirt on other candidates, instead of finding the holes in their arguments.

Here are some samples of what we should demand in the way of political advertising. It would raise the tone of debate substantially.