To the Editor:

During this election cycle I’ve seen shameful examples of what I assume is the “other party’s” view of the world. Two Republican campaign signs were erected in our historic family home’s yard without talking to us indicating individual opinion and/or permission are not important considerations to Republicans in Madison. When I placed Democratic party signs one was almost immediately vandalized. Finally, all three of our Obama-Biden yard signs were stolen. Since I’ve already voted and I’m sure signage denoting my opinion won’t sway anyone’s vote, this doesn’t make much difference. However, I paid for those signs and I wanted them as souvenirs of the opportunity I had to voice my opinion in a democratic society; even in a state that is predominantly for the other party.
The police were informed so that if a thief is discovered maybe a fine or public humiliation in the newspaper’s police reports will make me feel a bit better. What bothers me more than the vandalism and theft is that some Republicans are so threatened by other opinions they would stoop to these tactics as a way to silence them. These actions indicate some don’t understand, or have forgotten, what a democracy was intended to be and why our individual opinions, free speech and votes are so important. We all have an opinion but no matter how strongly you feel about yours, please respect my rights as an American to voice mine.

Stratton Hicky
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the November 8, 2012 edition