If a person lives in Pennsylvania and has spent any time on the internet, listening to the radio, or watching TV, they have probably seen plenty of political ads. During the recent General Elections, it seemed like every other commercial was one candidate attacking or “exposing” the other. These ads are completely useless and distract from the point of running a campaign. They are also often filled with misleading or completely untrue information. 

The main point of a politician’s campaign should be to inform the public of their plans, policies, and just about themself in general. Instead, because of the prevalence of attack ads, campaign commercials have turned into a way to make the other candidate seem as horrible a person as possible. If someone were the type to decide who to vote for based on light research and the campaign ads seen on TV, they would only hear negative exaggerations about a politician rather than anything about their actual platform. Instead of working to make the state a better place, those looking for power are trying to grow hate within viewers.

These attack ads are also often full of false or misleading information about other candidates. Especially during the recent elections, voice clips and stances from recent and even years-old interviews were taken out of context and used to establish dislike and fear in the minds of voters watching. Fear of decisions like murderous criminals being released on the streets was used to scare viewers into voting a certain way. Fear-mongering has been a major issue in politics as of late, and this has been made especially clear in events preceding that election. 

To conclude, the attack ads plaguing social media, radio commercials, and TV during elections are having a seriously negative effect on the voting process in Pennsylvania. They divert attention from the platforms and personalities of the people running and are often made up of dishonest and deceitful information. Though it is important that people understand the negative aspects of the person they plan on voting for, the quantity of these ads and the information in them is completely ridiculous. For this reason, these types of ads need to be banned from airing, and honorable elections should be what people come to expect.

This cartoon uses Pac-Man characters to symbolize that increased gas prices have taken up a large sum of budget money in the lives of citizens. The current inflation leaves little room for other expenses. The Pac-Man, which symbolizes gas prices, is “eating up” the ghosts, who symbolize other necessary payments. 

As the winter season approaches, Cedar Cliff Girls Basketball prepares for another successful season, with the student body supporting them every step of the way. Most people agree that girls basketball has been the most talked about Cedar Cliff team over the past few years, and they are just getting started. Last year, the team did so well that they sold out their home games, and the Golden Corral student section drove over an hour away to watch them play in their districts games. This year, the team will surely advance to District Playoffs again, and it is believed that all Cedar Cliff students will be cheering them on as they compete. 

The players always participate in pep rallies and other school spirit activities, which really motivate students to support them. Having a common interest as a student body truly brings everyone together at Cedar Cliff. Teachers and students claim that the girls basketball team encourages them to have school spirit and to participate in school sports and activities. Pride is incredibly evident in students during the basketball season because students are super proud of their friends, classmates, and school. All students are excited that such a prominent group of girls is representing their school so diligently. It is agreed that the CC Girls Basketball team creates school spirit like no other team.

It is important that as many students as possible help to spread the word about the talented team, and that they get all of their friends to the games. If the team feels their school supporting them, they will no doubt perform even stronger than last year. This team has given many contributions to West Shore schools and the surrounding community. For example, inspiring younger athletes to pursue sports and continue to play them through high school. It is great to see kids have good role models that they can look up to and rely on. So, everyone should give back to the team and come out to support them this coming winter season.