The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
The Pullmann household over here in Indiana is as excited as everyone else about Paul Ryan's vice president candidacy. Now, I want to ask the more seasoned rightwing folks a question: Do we, or do we not, post a Romney/Ryan sign in our front yard?
The question is not "Do we support the Republican candidates," but, "Will none of our neighbors ever talk to us again?"
Here's some context. We moved into our new house (first-time homeowners!) three months ago. We have met the majority of our nearest neighbors, but haven't had any sustained conversations or anything like. And we live in the most Democratic part of our city. The neighbors are low-middle income, and there's a representative sampling of races. Also, our car has been robbed twice in the few months we've been here, both petty thefts (GPS and my wallet).
Point being, I don't want my new house spray-painted, or my neighbors to have a reason to not be neighborly. Do we put up the signs? And what about a bumper sticker on the twice-violated car?
--Joy
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Comments:
May '12
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
If they are not going to talk to you because of a Romney-Ryan yard sign, maybe they aren't worth talking to.
Sep '10
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
I live in The People's Republic of Canuckistan where my answer would be no, but only because I'm legally prevented from packing heat. That said, the vicarious thrill I'm experiencing by tormenting relatives and acquaintances about Paul Ryan and the newly rejuvenated Tony Stark-Mitt Romney (see everyone? He really does have a new heart. Its NuCular!) is more than enough compensation.
I just sprayed off an email with an embedded link to Peter Robinson's Uncommon Knowledge interview with Paul Ryan on Healthcare with the summary text:
"After viewing this interview, I think you'll agree with me that this man is too out of shape, verbally incoherent, and numerically challenged to possibly aspire to any office higher than the one occupied by Joe Biden. And if you tell me that he's qualified to be President, then that's the same as saying Pat Sajak is a conservative."
Jul '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
This is the fight of our lives. If nobody but nobody has a sign then there's no reason. If someone slaps up a Obama love fest poster then you do the same. Bumper sticker, Yes! Car alarm needed but exactly how did they get your wallet?
Jun '12
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
The main objective of yard signs is to get name recognition for down ticket offices, especially non-partisans. Yes, they can show a "bandwagon" effect for some voters, but the damage done by whacko liberals is just not worth it.
Mar '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Sooner or later, you're going to have to learn who your neighbors are. It might as well be sooner. Whenever I moved into a new town, I always got hold of the membership roster of the local ACLU chapter. That way I didn't have to spend months finding out who all the village idiots were.
Apr '12
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
If there have already been multiple robberies, don't risk it.
And you might want to consider if you want your car vandalized, too.
May '10
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
I would plant it but don't be disappointed if it's gone by the next day. (Unless you hot wire it to 120v outlet)
Aug '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
We never put up political yard signs, and neither do our neighbors, who we assume are Democrats. If you truly believe putting up a yard sign advocating for a political candidate can make a positive difference, then by all means do it. But if it would only serve to cause trouble for your family, then don't. I think keeping peace in your new neighborhood is probably a better idea.
Edited on August 16, 2012 at 7:02pmSep '10
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
I say don't do it. I know these people, it will do no good for Romney and no good for you. Lefties think we all should pull together collectively, so when someone makes it clear they don't agree, they take it personally - that is, you are keeping me from having healthcare, etc. Whereas, those of us on the right believe in individual freedom, so someone displaying an Obama yard sign doesn't offend us (much). Let them all think everyone else will vote for Obama so they won't have to.
Aug '12
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
I would tend to fall on the "no" side, since you've only been there three months. But do be sure to start riots on your street when Romney/Ryan win the election in November ;) .
Mar '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Foxfier: If there have already been multiple robberies, don't risk it.
And you might want to consider if you want your car vandalized, too. ยท 13 minutes ago
On the other hand, if you post a sign for a conservative candidate or cause, it's a good bet that anyone who sees it will assume that yours is a house that comes fully armed.
Aug '12
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
You never know, it could have a catalytic effect: bringing out similar messages of support and solidarity from others similarly doubtful. All it takes for evil to triumph, etc...
Nov '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Indiana's going to go for Romney this election, almost certainly. (If not, we lose anyway.) For me, I wouldn't consider the off-chance of helping create a "bandwagon effect" that might remotely have a chance of flipping one or two votes worth the potential costs.
If you build up friendships, you might someday be able to have profitable conversations with some of your neighbors where you might be able to make a difference in their thinking. If you put up signs, you declare your side right off, before you've established that you're decent people.
My two cents. But I'm agnostic about bumper stickers in general.
Oct '10
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
It's funny...
We ask young men and women to serve, and to risk injury or death in the armed forces. Please see Dave Carter's most recent post.
http://ricochet.com/main-feed/A-Somber-Reminder
And then we wonder about the "risk" of yard signs??
Edited on August 16, 2012 at 8:25pmMar '12
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Thanks for all the good thoughts, folks. Please continue. I'm still undecided, but leaning more towards "don't do it."
It's not entirely cowardice. We have tiny children. And I don't have problem with neighbors who disagree politically, and I'd love to talk to them about it politely, but more am afraid a sign will get in the way of creating positive relationships.
Also, I don't want my car keyed. We don't have the emotional margins (and I'm too skinflint to mind the also-financial margins) to deal with crazies. If I thought it WOULD spark some conversations rather than demo work, I'd put it up.
I would just really like to do something to help out!
Sep '10
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
I have a rule; no politics spoken with unfamiliar acquaintances or casual friends. This includes neighbors, unless they bring it up first.
My reasoning is this; politics is not my life, it's just a small part. My friendships are based on something more than politics. I don't care about someone's religion or politics when our friendship is based on other common interests, so why put that friendship at risk (because for lefties, politics is their life) over petty political differences?
Apr '12
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Problem being it only takes one nasty [redacted] to cause a LOT of damage-- doesn't even have to live in the area.
Folks not wanting to bother with ill-informed rants or personal attacks and thus holding their tongues isn't exactly evil.... The demonizing of half the political spectrum is evil, but putting up a sign won't do much for that, even if there are other folks who agree. Not speaking because of a possibility of vandalism or even physical threats is rather evil, but won't be fixed by a yard sign.
Nov '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Limestone Cowboy: It's funny...
We ask young men and women to serve, and to risk injury or death in the armed forces. Please see Dave Carter's most recent post.
http://ricochet.com/main-feed/A-Somber-Reminder
And then we wonder about the "risk" of yard signs?? ยท 56 minutes ago
Edited 33 minutes ago
We don't ask them to put their young children at risk.
Also, the urgency of their task is hardly comparable to the questionable benefit of a yard side.
Aug '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Richard VanderHoek:
My reasoning is this; politics is not my life, it's just a small part.
Yes! This. The trouble is that for the left, politics replaces religion, so it's very much a part of their life.
Edited on August 16, 2012 at 9:00pmMar '11
Re: The Campaign Yard Sign: To Post, or Not to Post?
Go ahead and put up the sign, but also order one from the NRA. It might protect your car too.
https://www.nrailasigns.org