Editorial: Signs, signs, everywhere the signs

Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006 | 7:19 a.m.

Yes, we know, democracy is messy, but please, we're tired of it littering every campaign season.

The election is over, the seasons have changed, the leaves are falling from the trees - yet campaign signs are still standing, as a recent story in the Las Vegas Sun by Michael J. Mishak attests.

Maybe the candidates think their signs are classics and we'll be nostalgic - think Burma-Shave or a barn painted to advertise Doc Holliday's elixir. We don't.

Unfortunately, as The New York Times pointed out last week, it's difficult for losing candidates to muster the volunteers to go out and pick up signs because, this being America, we don't want to be associated with losers.

That might be why there are ordinances on the books that allow governments to fine candidates who still have signs standing on public rights of way after the general election - in Henderson, candidates have five days, in the rest of the valley it's 15 days.

But the threat of a small fine isn't going to motivate many people. Besides, who's going to fine people already down on their luck?

The Times reports that in some states frugal candidates and party denizens patrol for signs and pick them up so they can be used again. In other states democracy and capitalism have collided to do postelection house cleaning - a couple of restaurant chains offer free food in return for a sign.

That sounds like a great idea. Any takers here in Las Vegas?