The author contends that too much political advertising is a form of public relations "spin" in which the truth is sacrificed and the political process damaged as a result. The goal of much of this advertising too frequently focuses on transmitting "disinformation" that, while perhaps not technically a lie, is intended not to inform the public but rather to gain a political or ideological advantage. The author provides a discussion of such disinformation that the social studies teacher can use in the classroom.