For most Simi Valley residents, the Nov. 7 elections can't come soon enough.

While the democratic process is something most of us take pride in, at this point in the political season the heat from the ever-grinding combines of the campaign machines can be almost too much to bear.

We had hoped our local races could hit a higher standard than those at the state and national level, but aside from the 10 school board candidates, it appears that many of the office seekers are spending less time talking about the good things they'll do for the voters and more about the incompetence of their opponents.

You either attack the other side, or you attack the other side for attacking you. Nobody seems to talk about the positives, only the negatives. And certainly not the issues.

Take for instance the much publicized race to represent Simi Valley on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. Amid all the accusations being slung back and forth between candidates Dantona and Foy, it's hard to recall exactly what either man has said he plans to do for the residents if elected.

Will negative campaigning ever reach a saturation point? Is it possible the public will finally say, "Enough is enough?"

Probably not. Pollsters have found that voters listen to and are swayed by negative campaigning. People enjoying listening to the dirt, and as much as we hate to admit it, mudslinging works. Winning candidates define their opponents (negatively, of course) before the opponents can even define themselves.

When the dust clears, many voters go to the polls only to pick the lesser of two evils. We aren't voting for candidates who inspire us, we're voting for whoever will do the least damage.

It's a sad state of affairs. And it cripples voter turnout.

There's only one complimentary thing that can be said for the way we conduct election campaigns in America: We wouldn't trade it for any other system in the world.