Mudslinging gets everyone dirty

In the spirit of the upcoming election "Polite Society" has some concerns about legendary campaign tactics. While most every politician has an unseen agenda, scandal or other questionable activity, they hardly differ from the everyday person. It's the ol' tried and true method we refer to as mudslinging, that waves a red flag for the public.

Take mudslinging into a day-to-day situation. Ms. Sally Sue becomes president of the student organization here at Indiana State. She pushes for the community and social engagements throughout campus, which she finds to be the most pressing.

Every president has advisers or team members. Let's say one particular member of the group, Betty, sees painting the bathroom tiles hot pink as a necessity to the community. Sally Sue and her committee quickly throw the ridiculous idea down and move on to the next item on the to-do list.

When the elections for president come about that next fall semester, Betty has got a plan. She thinks to herself, "I won't campaign for myself. I'll campaign against Sally Sue. Perfect!" In order to accomplish such a goal with desirable outcome, Betty stretches the truth of Sally's term as president.

Flyers pop up about campus claiming, "Sally Sue refuses creativity! Do you want an art killer as your president?" Rumors are floating around about the suggestive night Sally Sue had with John Johnson the night before the biggest fundraiser of the year. Who was the "creative" genius behind the made up stories? You bet ya, Miss Betty herself.

Students become weary of Sally's commitment to her position and her apparent issue with the arts. Thus begins the positive light of Betty, in their eyes. Sally Sue loses by a landslide in the election, and Betty is named president.

The plan worked, right? Betty's president and Sally got the boot? Well, yes, you could say it worked. However the immaturity and deceit put into this elaborate plan seem much more questionable than Sally's supposed actions. So in the end, is the better person here getting the position? I would hardly think so.

Now, on a small scale, this example of mudslinging may seem humorous. However, this very same immaturity is happening in national politics in America! Doesn't that seem ridiculous?

In 2008, John McCain, on speaking of a financial scandal, said, "Senator Obama has accused me of opposing regulation to avert this crisis. I guess he believes if a lie is big enough and repeated often enough it will be believed."

In the 2008 Senate race in North Carolina, Republican Elizabeth Dole produced an ad-attacking Democrat Kay Hagan, on the basis of her religion. There was even a voice over which stated, "There is no God," alongside a picture of Hagan.

Many Americans take great issue with this campaign tactic. It is useless in its information, insulting and many times, false. In mudslinging, no direct solutions are introduced, therefore, solving none of them. If the leaders of the country can't be mature and directly address issues, who will?