Political signs reaching up to 28 to 30 inches high on Vermont towns, cities, and state property are ubiquitous every two years, for months at a time. If we must put up with these eyesore advertisements, these miniature ads that escape Vermont's billboard ban should at least provide some payback or pay forward to the community in which they are planted.
A viable return to the community could be a donation of native perennial flowers (by candidates) to be planted in place of the political signs after election day.
What say you, candidates supporting Vermont ideals: will you plant a legacy of your candidacy in exchange for rent-free advertising space? Flowers for hopeful signs get my vote.
Capitalism is often thought of as an economic system in which private actors own and control property in accord with their interests, and demand and supply freely set prices in markets in a way that can serve the best interests of society.
I prefer candidates to pay for the public space they are using.
I also believe (political candidate name) signs do not help create an informed voting public.
Read articles about VT laws on political signs on the right of way.
VTBiz article from 2010 - https://vermontbiz.com/news/2010/june/17/political-signs-cannot-be-along-public-roadways
Mountain Times article from 2014 - https://mountaintimes.info/vtrans-issues-campaign-season-reminder-on-sign-policy/
I will always believe that caring plus contribution (sharing) equals community.
Bernie
Frankly, I'd settle on the candidates (and their advocates, of course) simply *removing* the signs after election day! They seem to hang around for weeks...
ReplyDeletePart of the system called democracy
ReplyDeleteName signs add nothing to the democratic process or inform the public other than creating a recognition trigger at the voting booth. I don’t have an issue if someone wants to litter their own private land with political advertising, but keep public space open and free from political and religious advertising
ReplyDelete