The subject of ethics in politics was discussed in the Norman Levan Center at Bakersfield College on Oct. 20.

BC political science professor Steven Holmes, Bakersfield Californian columnist Lois Henry and Kern Community College District board of trustees member Pauline Larwood discussed the importance of ethics in politics.

Holmes focused on the importance of voting. “There is no doubt we are the most informed society in the world. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we are the best informed society in the world,” said Holmes. The professor said that, while Americans have easy access to information about candidates and elections, about 50 percent of people choose not to vote.

Henry also spoke on voters and information. Henry discussed the media’s role in informing voters, using examples ranging from former president Bill Clinton’s infidelity to Zack Scrivner’s past drug arrest. The speakers discussed the issue of how a politician’s past can affect how voters view their credibility.

While Holmes and Henry focused on the importance of informed voting, Larwood focused on the difficulty of finding truth due to mudslinging campaigns.

“We don’t know what’s true about anybody because things are slung back and forth,” said Larwood. She also said voters tend to trust their own politicians. The speakers were well received by the audience.

“I really enjoyed it. It really opened my eyes,” said David Watkins, a BC student. “We do have power to affect what the government chooses for our laws and regulations. Personally, I’m going to go back and look more in-depth into things I thought I agreed with – to make sure that I still stand with those decisions.”