Signs Everywhere ... But Not All Signs

Political freedom of speech is championed in this country; always has been. No matter what political party you are a member of, you should have the right to express your ideas, put up your signs, promote your candidates and do this with out fear that you will be silenced, censored or your free speech be tampered with. This is the American way.

We all know that during elections, such as the current one in the Town of North Hempstead's race for supervisor, both sides get excited and this causes incidents of political pranks and mischief. I guess that too is part of politics in America, BUT this is not a good excuse for what is going on in our town today.

Political signage has been a major component of political campaigns and elections for a long time and all parties use them. Two weeks ago, I noticed that the political minority in our town (Republicans) had gotten a head start and posted their signs all over Town in good numbers.  From New Hyde Park to New Castle to Great Neck to Port Washington, the political minority candidates put up their signs.  Within three days, all or most of these signs were removed, torn up or vandalized and the political majority's (Democrats) signs put in their place. 

This is not right.  It is down right wrong and un-Amercian.  Great Neck was purged clean of any trace of the political minority's signs that just days before were up.  Signs up and down the LIE service road were all gone, but ONLY the political minority; the other signs of the current administration were all well and plentiful. The purge continues every time the signs are replaced.  

Throughout world history, there have been many instances where the political minority is censored, but this is wrong.  In America, we win elections by doing a good job getting our message out, convincing the people that your politics are better than the other sides; NOT political censorship and vandalism. 

I urge the current administration and political majority to please tell their supporters to stop the censorship and allow the political minority to keep their signs and candidates names out there and share the space that we are BOTH able to use.  Hundreds of signs have been destroyed or taken away; there is no need for this type of "dirty politics". Both sides need to respect the other's right to free speech, allow the signs to remain undamaged, in most cases side by side and allow the candidates themselves to convince the residents of the Town of North Hempstead who they will vote for by their beliefs and politics, NOT by dirty tricks and censorship. 

I also want all readers to know that I would be writing this if my political party was doing the same. Political censorship is not just wrong, it is down right dangerous.

Bill Christofidis is involved in the Lee Tu for Supervisor of TONH campaign.