Political shenanigans and dirty tricks. They’ve been a part of American politics, well, since American politics first existed.

Even a few of the men we so graciously revere as some of the Founding Fathers of our country managed to throw a few below-the-belt punches to political opponents. Sometimes, though the dirty tricks back in the day seem minor by comparison to today’s political mischief.

Today, it’s not uncommon for political mudslinging to include anonymous fliers mysteriously delivered in neighborhoods, often alleging pretty outlandish, if not illegal, behavior on the part of a candidate.

Morals are called into question. Reputations are shredded and innocent people are harmed in the process.

All of this is a pretty low, fairly pathetic way in which to win an election.

To add insult to injury, lately our community has experienced a number of reports of missing political signs. The police and sheriff’s office have seen several such reports in the past few weeks.

All of this horrible behavior needs to stop. Voters aren’t amused.

We’ve seen what can happen when a political trickster and someone who wants to bamboozle the voters gets into office — trickery and lies masked as honest mistakes and simple misunderstandings.

Most voters aren’t stupid and can see through the childish behavior being exhibited all in the sake of being elected.

Wouldn’t it be nice if once, just once, politicians put the voters and not their own self-interests first and ran campaigns without delving into the mud?