Smear ads turn against candidates

As of late, I have grown sick of the smear ads plastered on television sets around the state. Both Obama and McCain have seemed to stoop to new lows, throwing political punches left and right. This is a clear component of the General Election stage indicated in our book, and serves to educate the public about opponents, but they're seemingly going too far. Where some say that they are merely stating the facts, rather than smearing the other person, I somewhat disagree. There is a line that shouldn't be crossed; one that resides at the percentage of total ads that are dedicated to destroying someone else's credibility. Since being nominated by their respective parties, I have yet to see a political ad that merely discusses the issues. Since when have the deciding issues been on the back-burner? I am thoroughly disgusted with the current nature of our candidates appeal to get voters. Hopefully with about 40 days to go, things don't get much worse... but we all know they will.