In a country that values freedom, it is hard to believe that residents of some cities - East Lansing included - cannot show their support via yard signs for a candidate prior to 30 days before the election. Across the nation, towns and municipalities are instituting rules on how long residents can publicly display their political alliances through the use of yard signs.

Although the widespread ordinance cites littering, unsightliness and visible danger as causes for the ordinance, the reasoning behind it is flawed. A Kerry/Edwards lawn sign is not litter. A Bush/Cheney placard is not unsightly. Should a sign on a lawn reduce visibility for motorists, place a restriction on where a sign can be placed, not eliminate the process altogether. Just because a few people do not like how signs look or the message they project, it does not mean local governments have the right to tell the populace how and what to display in their yards.

Campaigning to win an election starts as soon as a new president, mayor, dog catcher, or whomever, takes office. The United States is a land filled with politically charged people who, on occasion, like to display their support for a candidate in their yard. If a mind is made up more than 30 days before an election, tell the world. An engaging campaign relies on supporters and a time limit on their enthusiasm works against a well-run campaign.

Zoning laws protect a neighborhood from the unsightly or dangerous brand of lawn decoration. If you support Kerry, stick a sign in your lawn as early as you please. If you support Bush, do likewise as early as you see fit. This is not tantamount to a 20-foot statue of a candidate, and ordinances like this one should not reflect that.

Anything that will help the public to get out and vote is a good thing, even if it is an allegedly unsightly sign on your neighbors' lawn.