Why do signs matter so much?

I attended a Flathead County commissioners’ hearing discussing political signage and then listened to the contentious follow-up public testimony. There have been many newspaper comments about political signs blighting the landscape view shed in Flathead County, but insisting it represents “free speech.” It has inspired me to join in and write about it.

The inspiration for others may well be the hundreds of “Zinke” signs obstructing the beautiful Montana scenery and unsafely distracting them while driving on our road system, but my objection goes well beyond that.

A prominent, current, public office holder in Flathead County advised me that “he who puts up the most signs wins an election.” The theory being that all that counts is “name recognition” and not much else matters to get elected.

It seems to me that most people do not follow politics and have no idea who they are voting for… so they vote for the “R” or “D.” And, furthermore, people who do follow politics will never vote for the smartest candidate but rather vote for the candidate that is most like them, that they can relate to, in any event.

From my perspective, I always thought that being the best public speaker and having the most friends to contribute/donate to one’s campaign was the winning strategy. Clearly, having the highest IQ is a negative around here. After all, we are merely voting for someone to govern us so why would they need brains?

Which reminds me: The smartest political figure we have had in Flathead County in many years has put up only a few signs during this campaign season and they have been mysteriously taken down and his opponent’s signs are now in their place. In any case, I will vote for him, minus any signs, and will never consider voting for sign-stealers or those who rudely have their obtrusive signs be an eyesore without any regard for the citizenry.

Signs are supposed to be “free speech.” Consider this to be my “free speech.”

Baum is a resident of Martin City