Negative Campaign Ads & Stuff...

I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I'm a bit of a political junky. And there's nothing sweeter to me than a presidential election year. I LOVE it! I've been glued to the news, I've watched all of the debates, and both conventions. One thing that usually bothers me is when the campaigns decide to go negative. Most people I talk to say they don't like negative campaign ads. But for some reason, the politicians keep on doing it. You know why?...Because research shows it works! Some studies suggest that negative campaign ads are more easily remembered and, therefore, have a greater influence on voters' attitudes and voting decisions. Knowing that made me start to think about what that says about us as Americans. How many people hear some negative lie in a campaign ad, and remember that when they get into the voting booth? How many people make the effort to really get informed?

I'm a registered Independent, and my roommate is a registered Republican. Some of the mail we've gotten during this campaign season has been interesting. Now that we're just days away from voting, we each got voter information guides in the mail. You open it, and it basically tells you who and what to vote for when it comes to the propositions and the presidential election. Who needs to think?! It's already been done for you! I think as voters we've gotten a little lazy. If you don't want to put in the effort to get informed you don't have to. Someone else will do it for you.

So I've decided to issue a challenge. I'm challenging everyone to know WHY you're voting the way you vote. When you step into that booth, be proud that as an American you have the right to let your voice be heard.

Happy Voting!