As the elections draw near, the political ads increase, as does the commentary. Jack Lessenberry writes about the confusion over ballot proposals.

I thought about what a farce the whole ballot proposal game has become. Most of the state's voters won't vote on these ballot proposals. Many of those who do will misunderstand them. Those who put these proposals on the ballot know that perfectly well. In fact, in many cases they want to fool the voters, as Mark Grebner, founder of the East Lansing base firm Practical Political Consulting, cheerfully confessed.

That's why this morning I heard Kirk Gibson, a washed-up baseball player, urging voters to support dove hunting. The evildoers who would ban killing this bird of peace, he said, are actually secretly plotting to take away our right to do any hunting at all.

Students across the state are learning about elections through their school government classes. At this writing, Ed Wodek's Leland Public School government students, as well as students from 10 area schools, are learning about elections through hosting a rally featuring political candidates from across the state. Dig Michigan writes:

They are getting ready to host 1,000 students from 10 schools in Leelanau County and Traverse City who will hear from state and national candidates and cast their votes. This year's rally will also be broadcast live over the Internet by MichiganLiveEvents.com and at Absolute Michigan.

Wodek created the project 20 years ago as a way to engage students in learning about civics and democracy and students research a candidate to speak on their behalf or serve on committees charged with coordinating public relations, construction, technology, painting, programs and ballots.

The Traverse City Record reports:

Each student researches a candidate or serves on committees charged with coordinating public relations, construction, technology, painting, programs and ballots. Those assigned to candidates will deliver speeches at the rally to try to capture fellow students' votes.

Candidates slated to appear at the rally include 101st District state Rep. David Palsrok, R-Manistee, and Democratic challenger Dan Scripps; 35th District state Sen. Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau, and Democratic opponent Antoinette Schippers; and 4th District U.S. Congressman Dave Camp, R-Midland, and Democratic challenger Mike Huckleberry.

Read or listen to Essay: Curious Proposals - 11/1/06 by Jack Lessenberry's Essays and Interviews
Also read or listen to the companion, Interview: Mark Grebner - 11/1/06 by Jack Lessenberry's Essays and Interviews
And read Michigan Mock Election Coverage on Dig Michigan featuring a link to the LIVE Webcast - 9 AM - Noon today