Prepare for upcoming challenges Political signs

EDITOR: We of the Grassroots Institute were impressed and pleased to learn recently of the Transition Integrity Project, a high-level, bipartisan effort to plan in advance for the crisis of democracy that we may face if the president refuses to accept the outcome of the upcoming election or if he or others take steps to create electoral chaos preventing a smooth transition of power from one administration to the next.

There has never in the 244year history of our democracy been a threat to its stability so extreme as the threat that the current president seems capable of creating. As you know, he has warned us in so many words that he may refuse to leave office. He has set the stage with groundless claims of likely voting fraud, and by signaling his willingness to do what it takes to stay in power, including bringing the military into the political process in unprecedented ways.

We are seriously concerned.

We hope everyone will take the time now, while there still is time, to become informed, to make preparations, to think with friends, neighbors, and public officials on both sides of the political divide about how we will work together to ensure that our democracy is preserved at this time of crisis. We see this as an all-hands- on- deck moment to prepare in advance for the challenges of the coming few weeks and months, and are counting on everyone’s proactive engagement.

— Michael St. John, Mendocino

EDITOR: It is extremely disturbing to learn that some folks think it is OK to take down or vandalize political signs that others might have put up in their own yards. This has happened before, and it is happening again now. Others think it is OK to deface public signage with political slogans.

It doesn’t matter for which candidate, or for whatever office a candidate is running for, if your neighbor wants to put up a sign to show personal support that is your neighbors right as a citizen. If you don’t like it, well, that’s too bad. You do not have the right to vandalize or destroy your neighbor’s, or anyone else’s yard-signs, just because you don’t like the candidate or position your neighbor supports. It all comes down to the basic and essential concept of treating others as you would have them treat you. More simply put, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”