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Taking Politics To The Pupils

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2008

SHADY HILLS - If Michael Phelps endorsed a particular cereal or if Miley Cyress advertised a brand of face cream, people might be me more likely to buy those products.

It works the same way in politics.

"In an election, the politician is the product," Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri told a group of Mary Giella Elementary students Wednesday.

Mulieri talked with fourth- and fifth-graders about elections and voting. She told students it was important to know their role in the political process.

"You're the bosses," she told them, then, leading a round of applause. "Let's hear it for the bosses!"

Politicians are accountable to the people, Mulieri said. That's why it's important for people to make responsible voting decisions, she said.

"Use your brain," she told students.

Mulieri took students through several activities to educate them about the political process. She drew comparisons between local and national political campaigns and the student council elections under way at Mary Giella. Then she quizzed students about current events.

"Do you know what's happening in November?" she asked.

"They're going to decide who should be president," fourth-grader Alex Golden said.

Mulieri talked about words commonly used in the presidential campaign - "country," "promise," "environment," "women."

"Why do politicians use words like 'promise' and 'can?'" she asked the students.

"It shows they will do something," fourth-grader Christopher Vargas said.

Mulieri also talked about negative campaigning.

"When someone calls you a name, think about how it makes you feel inside," she said. "Negative ads don't work."

Even positive campaigns, though, need to be thoroughly analyzed. Mulieri talked to students about common propaganda techniques used to sway voters, such as getting an endorsement from a famous person or trying to convince people that everyone is doing something or supporting a certain position.

Principal Katie Lail said learning to think critically about political advertising is a valuable lesson for students.

"I'm glad Commissioner Mulieri is teaching them to read campaign materials carefully, looking at all perspectives and taking nothing at face value," she said.

In the mind of fourth-grader Mary Miltner, the most important lesson she learned Wednesday was the importance of honesty and kindness; in political campaigns and in life.

"It's not nice to say negative things," she said.

"You're a smart little kid," Mulieri told her.

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