It's past Labor Day, and campaigns are heating up.

Their commercials are permeating the airwaves. Their fliers are showing up in our mailboxes. And, on occasion, a candidate or two makes his or her way into our daily lives.

But is anything the candidates say worth anything more than sound bytes?

In one of the toughest Senate races of the year, Rick Santorum and Bob Casey, Jr. are fighting for Pennsylvania voters' attention.

But really, is Casey saying anything other than that he's not Santorum?

In general, are Democrats saying anything other than they're not Republican?

Democrats claim they're not attached to the Bush administration. They point the finger at the GOP and scream about the culture of corruption.

Republicans are just as guilty. They talk about how Democrats are weak on terror and national defense. They try to flip the culture of corruption on the Democrats.

The policy is what matters though. These Democrats and Republicans are passing legislation that affects our lives. They are talking about issues like immigration, social security and education.

Yet, when they campaign to us, they are simply the opposite of the other party.

Voters need to hear more than that. They need to hear why the person running for office is different than the person from the other party.

Candidates, try something new and talk about your concrete ideas at campaign stops. Don't give us blanket policy statements or empty political rhetoric.

Voters need to hear the specific ideas that each candidate has for our districts, states and country.

They need to say what ideas they have for fixing our educational system, for saving our Social Security system and for winning the war on terror.

But unfortunately, soap opera drama will take center stage from now until Nov. 7.