Generally speaking, I don’t pay much attention to politics. I know I should pay closer attention to things because I’m a big fan of the right to vote. When Election Day comes, it would be nice to make an informed decision regarding the candidates and the offices for which they’re running.

But I quickly tire of politicians. The cynic in me just wants to discount everything they say because they’re usually just trying to pump rainbows up the butts of the general public because they know what their target demographics want to hear at the moment.

And that’s what kids see. They see how real politicians run their campaigns and then emulate these practices on the smaller scale of student government. It’s a little ridiculous, the things that these mini-politicians attempt to promise in the hopes of winning the latest popularity contest.

The school where I work is not immune to the empty political promises. Just today, I’ve noticed a number of campaign posters telling students what they’ll get in return for their coveted vote…

VOTE 4 JACOB – LESS HOMEWORK, MORE RECESS!

A VOTE FOR KATIE = BETTER LUNCHES

GARRETT! HE’LL PUT THE STUD IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT!

That last one was pretty funny. But, really, what’s the point of the student government? Do they really have any power on the elementary level? I was a class representative during one of my senior years in college. I understand an SGA at that level. We helped plan things for the student body. But a 7th grader acting as student council president will not affect curriculum for any given classroom.

I know, the power of student government isn’t so much about what the kids will do with their high political offices. It’s about teaching them the democratic process. But in allowing ridiculous campaign promises, aren’t we just perpetuating the cycle of corrupt leaders with the next generation?

Here’s a more realistic campaign poster that I think someone should adopt…

Vote for me, so I can get out of class early one day every other week to meet with the rest of the student government kids and so I can feel more important than you!