Since September, the we have been exposed to a proliferation of political signs which, overnight, began appearing along side roads and in the yards of residents. For supporters of a particular candidate, the signs are a time-honored and relatively inexpensive way of getting their favorite's name where it can be seen on a daily basis by all who pass.
For others, the signs are like the spread of an uncontrollable and noxious weed.
Whichever way a person may feel about the political signs, they are proof of the health of our system of government, and of the First Amendment - freedom of speech - to our Constitution. Hard-fought campaigns for office are part of what makes our nation great.
But as we like to point out every years, leaving the signs in place after an election amounts to no more than littering. The majority of candidates in our area are diligent about removing their campaign signs, bu a few candidates, whether they win or lose elections, don't seem to worry about removing their promotional signs.
If campaign signs have been blown down, perhaps torn apart, by this week's storm, they ought to be removed immediately by candidates or their supporters. In any event, political signs should not be left in place more than a few days after the election, a week from today.
Let us hope that by this time next week, the majority of campaign signs have been removed. Removing one's campaign signs promptly after an election is a demonstration of responsibility. Leaving them in place for weeks or months is a signal of irresponsibility, on the other hand - and it is something voters should remember.
