The Talbot Republican Central Committee (TCRCC) has worked hard to promote our candidates, including the erection of a couple dozen large Trump, Andy Harris, and Hogan signs around the county. In just a week we have had one large sign near Trappe stolen, replaced, and stolen again, and last night had two signs spray-painted on St Michaels Road just ouside of St Michaels. These signs cost an average of $100 each plus $15 for lumber, and sweat equity to dig post holes and erect the signs.
Vandalism of political signs is against the law and is punishable by jail time and hefty fines. Complaints have been filed with the Sheriff’s Office. Many signs are now monitored by trail cameras. If we catch the responsible parties, we will prosecute vigorously. TCRCC will pay a $500 reward to anyone whose testimony leads to conviction.
While spending two hours cleaning the paint off the signs, I was cursed at twice by people driving by:”F–k You” and “F–k Trump.” (This was offset by some dozen or more friendly honks and thumbs-ups and two people who stopped to ask if they could help.)
This behavior is typical of people who have no respect for the Constutution, and specifically the First Amendment, or of the election process in which we all express our opinions by peaceful, respectful means. Sadly, the Democratic Party has encouraged behavior that stifles freedom of expression for several years (witness Obama’s “get in their face” remarks and the pressuring of Facebook and Twitter by the Biden/Harris Administration to censor conservative thought.
If we are to have a democracy of, by, and for the people, we must respect each other’s right to think and say what we will. I hope that Democrats who are put off by this behavior will chastise their brethren for acting this way. It isn’t pretty.
To be silent is to condone this behavior.
Kent Robertson
Talbot County
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