SIGNS: Theft can't silence supporter

Our republican form of government is based upon the principle that candidates for office have the right to seek their chosen office and the electorate has the right to be informed about the candidates for office.  Incumbent in those rights are the right to peacefully campaign.  Property owners likewise have the right to permit campaign literature and signage on their property if they choose to do so. 

It is therefore shameful and utterly indefensible that certain individuals must stoop to vandalism, trespass and theft to attempt to silence a candidate or political viewpoint.  Within 24 hours of being posted, campaign signs have been stolen from MY property.

Those thieves trespassed on MY land to retrieve and steal property that belongs to the candidate I endorse.  Since I am endorsing a challenger and not an incumbent, it appears that those supporting the incumbent are obviously frightened at the prospect of another worthy candidate. 

It is truly UNAMERICAN and utterly disgraceful to our system of government that such tactics as theft and vandalism are employed to subvert the dissemination of information to the public through lawful means.  I would hope that the candidates would chastise their own supporters for engaging in such deceitful tactics.

Perhaps I can't stop the thefts, but I can, in this column, express my support for JOHN GREEN and my opposition to those who would seek to silence him by stealing his campaign signs and literature.

DJ GARY

Post Falls