Lighten up, neighbor

I have a political sign in my yard that faces the road. If you endorse a candidate, you should be able to express it – especially on your own property.

Recently, while mowing my lawn, a neighbor stopped by, and my 6-year-old daughter came running out of the house to greet him. My neighbor then asked if he could give his opinion of my candidate; being open-minded and thinking he might be somewhat intelligent, I agreed.

What followed was an obscenity-laden diatribe (I ordered my daughter inside after the first “F” word) against my candidate, and his apparent amazement of how I could be so gullible. Exercising restraint in hopes that it might inspire him to do the same, I let him rant on while staring in disbelief, hoping his hot air would dissipate. It did, thankfully, and wanting to finish riding my John Deere, I bid him adieu.

With the coming election in November, I wanted to relate this small incident and remind all citizens to “lighten up.” If you see a fellow American with a bumper sticker, sign, button or T-shirt that endorses someone other than who you plan to vote for – don’t harass them. Don’t go out of your way to annoy them. Don’t give them the “finger,” and don’t curse (at them or in front of their children), as it weakens and often nullifies your point. Just be thankful you have a neighbor who cares enough to vote.

Thomas Carter

Montville