With a dozen candidates vying for the four open seats on the board overseeing Cincinnati Public Schools, this year's election is turning into a big event for voters. "It's probably the largest field in recent history," says David Little, campaign manager for incumbent Catherine Ingram and challengers Ceair Baggett, Joyce Hooks and Lisa Schare.  

Scaring voters shitless is a classic political tradition. Whether it's convincing us to fear crime, poor people, public transportation, African Americans, foreigners, gays, nuclear power or the flu, politicians often win elections by playing to the darkest human instincts. "Vote for me or die" is the underlying message of these sorts of campaigns. Instead, if you value hope over fear and progress over the status quo, you'll join us in rejecting political candidates and organizations that prey on our fears. Plan to vote the CityBeat ticket.