For real. As in, really for real. Because frankly, I will not make it to November 4th if I don’t get to hear some good stories about voting, democracy and learning about what makes our country strong, not senile.
So find them and send them or write them. I’ll go first:
As some readers may know, I was really unhappy that my town only allowed one yard sign per yard. I know, I know, yard signs don’t vote and all that. And in point of fact, I never allowed us to put up signs in the first place because of my writing.
But you know what? People really like to put up yard signs – there is just something, oh, how shall I say it like Michele Bachmann might? Something just very American-democracy-election-y about yard signs. I mean, I can’t even see my own yard’s signs but just knowing that they’re there? I like that.
Well, anyhow, over the years, residents of Pepper Pike have worked on and off to challenge and complain that the one political yard sign per yard rule was unconstitutional. Finally, this year, after I sent the mayor and the city council a list of towns comparable to and/or adjacent to Pepper Pike, all of which had more lenient rules about yard signs, and particularly in the number allowed, and I included an article from outside Cincinnati where a town was being taken to court for its yard sign restrictions, the city council and law director and mayor agreed to rescind the old restrictions and write and approve new ones. We received a flyer with the new ordinance in it but I can’t seem to locate it online at the moment. Looks like Chillicothe had some problems and suspended its restrictions too.
Okay – so – where’s the chicken soup? Ah….not in the change in the law, although that is indeed good for the soul and for democracy. But rather…
Today, as I was driving my kids home after one of my kids’ after-school volunteer stint teaching computers to senior citizens, my oldest said, “Mom! Look! Three yard signs in one yard!” and high-fived me.
Now, given that I’m hearing from people I know that yard signs all around them are disappearing, I’m very pleased to say that so far, the Obama, McCain, O’Connell/Stratton, Mandel, Belovich, Fudge and Lawson Jones signs that I’ve been seeing every day up and down my pretty main drag are all still up.
So – eat this chicken soup: I got the ordinance changed, Republicans and Democrats are putting up three signs in their yard and so far, no one’s signs have disappeared.
And, my kids made the connection between what mom was trying to accomplish by pressing and pushing her elected officials, properly and with evidence and support, about changing a law she felt was unconstitutional, and implementing that change in the law so that everyone can exercise their right to political speech. Not just one candidate or issue per election year.
If you feel like providing some comfort food of this type, please do. Cross-posted at Writes Like She Talks.