It was the speech heard ‘round the world — twice, that is.

Melania Trump, wife of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, has come under fire recently for plagiarizing parts of Michelle Obama’s speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Some of the phrases in question are as follows: “the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say;” “because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.”

It’s an embarrassing blunder, no doubt, and it certainly isn’t the first time this has happened in political speeches. Plagiarism in itself is wrong, but it also speaks to a much larger problem in the political arena.

When did politics become an actor’s job — focusing on looking good rather than actually meaning what is said? When did the words start to ring hollow?

Some may argue that it’s always been that way. That is very true, but in many ways, the problem seems to have only gotten worse.

From the president of the United States to Gov. Pat McCrory, professional speechwriters come in to write words sure to sound sweet to Americans’ ears. It happens at the local level, too.

Although Beaufort County officials may not have the high-caliber speechwriters of Washington, D.C., there have been incidents in which officials are more concerned with getting elected again, or making a show at government meetings, rather than getting things done.

That kind of behavior is unacceptable. Beaufort County citizens want elected officials to work for them, not feed them lines about policy. These officials owe it to their constituents to tell it straight and do the right thing, even when it’s not popular.

Is this a pipe dream? Perhaps. But change is more likely to catch on at the local level.