This is the adult version of bullying

The proliferation of nasty, negative ads by representatives of politicians is the adult version of bullying [“Negative ads getting more numerous — and nastier,” News, Feb. 21].

The government, parents and teachers are trying to stamp out bullying by children, but politicians and their representatives seem bent on keeping bullying alive.

Children mimic the behavior of adults even though we may not want them to. The constant barrage of nasty, negative-bullying ads from adults produces nasty, negative and bullying behavior by children.

I wish the politicians and their representatives would grow up, get out of the gutter and discuss issues with their peers. And no matter what the politicians say, the people who write their ads and give them money are their representatives.

Reputation matters and, as in the “swiftboating” campaign, negative ads can destroy an individual’s effectiveness.

This is the most dramatic effect that bullying has!

— Elizabeth M. Williams, Seahurst