What a difference 20 years make (and I think I know why)

[senseandsensibility]

Twenty years ago, my neighborhood in a very blue area of California was awash in Kerry yard signs. My hubby and I were in charge of distributing the signs and door knocking in the area. We kept running out of signs and had to continually drive to the nearest town to pick up more. Seriously, I would say that 50% of the houses near us had a Kerry sign in their yard.

Now, we live in the same neighborhood and have many of the same neighbors. The neighbors have not become more conservative. I see only one cheato sign for miles around. But I also see very few Harris-Walz signs. Probably less than a tenth of the number of Kerry signs twenty years ago.

My husband and I don't even have one out. Why? Bottom line: we're senior citizens now and concerned about our personal safety. It's horrible to feel that way, but I think we're justified. And this morning I heard that there is a sheriff in Ohio who is instructing people to keep a list of anyone with Harris-Walz signs in their yard.

I think, unfortunately, our liberal neighbors, like us, know that we are not safe expressing our views like we were in 2004. That is what the cult has done to us, even in liberal California.

[Timewas]

1. Same Reaoning

Applies to bumper stickers, would not feel safe with Dem stickers

[senseandsensibility]

3. Yup

When I was young, I used to "enjoy" getting the occasional creepy rightwinger upset by having a Dem bumper sticker. Now I'd be afraid for my life.

[Xavier Breath]

2. Way too many Trump signs and flags in my area to do something like that.

I'll skip the unwanted attention.

[JI7]

4. There is more use of social media these days

I live in a very blue area in California and never see that many yard signs in Presidential elections .

I don't think people are afraid but yard signs just aren't that much of a thing maybe.




I

[Abolishinist]

10. I agree. We live in a 2/3 blue precinct in SoCal, not a sign to be seen.

As you say, I think it is a sign of the times (sorry, just had to!). In addition, I think they're tacky to begin with and what, exactly, is the purpose. Especially in a Presidential race, I doubt a yard sign is going to sway anyone's vote, plus CA is already in the bag for Harris.

Now I do see them from time-to-time for city council/mayoral races, along with the various propositions, which makes some sense to me.

[jaxexpat]

18. My neighborhood could be called "double red with no signage".

I know. It sounds like the name of a mixed drink, right? But the double red part comes from the fact that 90% of the neighborhood voted for Trump, twice, and now they're very embarrassed about it.

Thus, there is no political signage............................. except for the quack down the street who believes Ron Paul is Trump's mentor. Every village needs one, I guess.

[Fla Dem]

5. As I've mentioned before I'n volunteering in my county's Democratic Party Headquarters.

On days I'm in the office, there is a steady flow of folks coming in to get Signs. Now whether or not they actually put them up in their front yard, or got them for the Historical aspect, I don't know. We ran out and were supposed to get more early this week. I hope so. I'm not going in until Thursday.

Another observation, I live in a real red FL county. The last #'s I saw put it as 70% to 30% Republican. Also the last 2 Presidential elections, Rebulicans set up a tent store right on A1A to sell all their merch. No tent store this year. So I have my fingers crossed.

My HOA doesn't allow signs of any kind in our front yards, but I did put a Harris/Walz sticker in the front window. One of my neighbors already told me that wasn't allowed, and I know she is a die hard Rethug.

[senseandsensibility]

6. Thank you for your work in FLA

where it could really make a difference!

[Fla Dem]

7. Got my fingers crossed and if the traffic of folks coming into the office is any indication......

things are looking good!

Not to be a Debbie Downer, I was pretty psyched that Hillary was going to win. I trying to stay calm.

[Xavier Breath]

11. I worry about volunteers working in places the general pubic can easily access.

Have you guys discussed any safety concerns?

[appalachiablue]

12. Good post, encouraging, thanks. Bravo Blue Floridians.

[Island Blue]

8. I live in a very red area of NC

No yard sign nor car magnet for me this year. In 2008 I carved Obama’s campaign logo into a pumpkin (it was really cool if I do say so myself.) I proudly lit it on Halloween night because it didn’t even cross my mind that anyone would take that as a clue to attack me or my property. (And no one did.) This year however, it’s just not worth the risk of displaying a Harris/Walz sign, or car magnet, or pumpkin. 🙁

[Elessar Zappa]

9. Fuck 'em.

I have signs up in my yard. I dare them to try something.

[progressoid]

13. We put up a large Harris/Walz sign and I immediately started shopping for security cameras.

We have right wing neighbors who know we're Democrats. I'm not worried about them.

It's the drive-by assholes - the ones who regularly use our yard as their garbage dump.

[StClone]

14. Kerry was my biggest expediture of time and money making calls and getting out signs.

Saw Kerry in Appleton Wi, then went to a Michael Moore event. Just to watch pirates descend and sink it all with Lies in Swift boating.

[hvn_nbr_2]

15. Somewhat similar situation here

I live in a very large retirement community in a very small town. The retirement community is half the population of the town. Our 55+ community votes 2-1 Democratic, and the rest of the town votes 2-1 Republican. Even though we are 2-1 Dem, in recent elections the yard signs are about 2-1 Trump.

I attribute the excess Trump signs to several reasons: 1. Trumpzies are more fanatical. 2. Fear of retribution. 3. Expectation of stolen signs.

No indication yet for this year because the HOA doesn't allow yard signs until 30 days before the election. There is, however, one Jesus 2024 sign out already.

There are absolutely no Dem bumperstickers ever. We old people just don't need the hassle of hate freaks attacking our cars.

[calimary]

17. Shit - I just read this and mistakenly thought you'd written "Trumpanzies"!

Sorry about that! But I have to admit, I like both versions.

[Frank D. Lincoln]

16. It's encroaching fascism.

It'll get drastically worse if Trump wins (but he won't).

[joanbarnes]

19. Ditto here in a rare blue zone in Missouri.

[crosinski]

20. Yep, we're afraid to put out signs too.

Sigh. We used to be braver.

[senseandsensibility]

21. Braver or the pre maga it really wasn't that dangerous/

I don't know. But I think it's the latter.