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“Marshall voted to block the release of the Epstein files.” “Adam Hamilton: woke mega-church CEO.” 

This is what I hear coming from the TV when all I want to do is sit down, relax, and watch my favorite TV show after a long day of classes and work.   

In the midst of an election season, with the General Election approaching Nov. 3, political ads are to be expected, but why did they shift to attacking the other party?  

When I think about what I want from someone campaigning, I want to hear about what a particular candidate is going to do for me. How are they going to improve my state? What are they supporting? What are they trying to work for? I don’t want to hear how one side is “too liberal for Kansas” or is “enabling the chaos and corruption in Washington.”  

The reason that this works is because “our brains are hard-wired to seek out and remember negative information,” according to Robyn Schelenz at the University of California.  

To me, these negative ads do the complete opposite. When I see these during commercials, it turns me away from both sides. You’re not getting any new information.  

A political campaign is supposed to be about the specific politician who is running. These ads are supposed to be telling voters about who they are. I am much more likely to vote for someone who doesn’t smear others and instead tells me about what they are going to do for my community.  

What are you going to do about gas prices? How are you going to help me afford groceries? How are you going to help find solutions to inequality? How are you going to address the things I care about? I don’t know the answers to these questions because all politicians are doing is attacking each other.  

The job of a politician is to represent who elected them. Instead of going on these smear campaigns, politicians need to focus on themselves. Tell me about how you are going to solve issues that are impacting our community, our country.   

If I am going to be forced to watch these ads whenever I turn on my TV or scroll on social media, I want to know the positive things that are going to come if I vote for someone.  

As voters, call your senators. Tell them to tell you something positive about themselves. Don’t let the negativity influence your vote and start demanding positivity.