As the political season gets underway, candidate signs are popping up all over Columbia. Some lawns host four or five candidates while others have several signs for the same individual. Large banners adorn the major intersections and smaller signs are affixed to cars and phone poles. Well-financed candidates smile down from interstate billboards and even scenic, country barns are plastered with names and slogans. To imagine that this visual pollution actually translates into votes is truly disturbing.
Then there's the permanent gauntlet of billboards along I-70. For a State with as much natural beauty as Missouri, the Government seems to be oblivious to these hideous displays. While other States are having them removed, Missouri condones new, monstrous structures that highlight the ads. Given that a significant percentage are rented by Adult Video stores, visitors and travellers may easily misinterpret the State's "Show-Me" nickname.
Conservation efforts should be directed at landscape as well as at habitat, species and natural resources. Though I vote in Colorado, I would gladly campaign for someone who wants to eliminate billboards and political signs in Missouri!
