Left In Lowell

Lately, as I drive through Lowell, I have been noticing more and more political candidates’ signs affixed to the inside of store and other business windows. We have had them in past races but not this early and not to this extent. But I am not surprised. The special Congressional race coming up in September has at least two candidates with a strong Lowell backing and then we have the upcoming City Council (CC) election, which is shaping up to be a contest between two distinct and opposing factions.

But that is a post for another day, back to the political signs. For the most part, these signs are evident in the windows of small stores, restaurants, bars and other locally-owned businesses. I have nothing against them, on the contrary, I like them when they belong to a candidate of my choice.

But what I find interesting is the dynamics which are at play.

For example, today I drove by an establishment that previously had one CC candidate’s sign prominently displayed at the front of the store. But now, that candidates sign has been relegated to the side window facing the parking lot and it has been joined by a sign of another CC candidate. And the front window now displays the sign of a congressional candidate.

Then I saw another business which had side by side, the signs of two of the Congressional candidates.

Also, these signs appear in clusters. If on a business block, a store displays one, the neighboring establishments will quickly have signs.

And then, you have these businesses which cover their entire store front with political sings, sometimes two or three of the same candidate.

So what does all this mean? If a business has one sign and one sign only for each race, I would say that the proprietor supports that candidate wholeheartedly.. If a business has a group of signs, I would say that the proprietor just wants to be a nice guy and not say no

Do businesses think they will attract more customers by covering their store front windows with all these signs? I find it all distracting.

Do I continue to patronize a business which is promoting a candidate I do not support? Do I search for businesses which are promoting a candidate I like? Do I now believe that if two candidates have their sign side-by-side in a business, they represent the same views? Oh, this is so confusing.

One last word, businesses have store front windows to promote their businesses; to give the passers-by an opportunity to see what is available for purchasing; to bring light and sunshine into their establishment. So why cover their windows with signs?