Preface: I have not studied political science or know all the laws. This is only an opinion piece.

Our house sits off an easement. We were the first house here, followed in time by two more behind us. We own just short of 3 acres and have a decent backyard surrounded by trees. I like the quiet when sitting on the deck and listening to the chatter of birds and squirrels. This year, we have a lone female turkey visiting our bird feeder looking for a snack, along with a pair of bunnies and the occasional nocturnal deer. I welcome the critters, letting them do their thing without shooing them away.  We are currently renovating some of the backyard, including an area for native plants and pollinators, more bird feeders and baths, and a squirrel feeding station. At this point in my life, I would rather hang out with the critters than deal with people lately. 

The neighbor directly behind us finally put in a new mailbox post amongst our little row on the roadside after theirs was knocked over about two years ago. He had it balanced in a couple of cement blocks.  With the new post came a flag holder with a giant Trump flag. My husband speaks with him more than I do and sent a friendly text saying we don’t like political signs in our yard, and even though it’s not considered our yard, we can see it through our front window where he can’t see it all.  The neighbor seemed understanding and said he would remove it. The next afternoon, it disappeared but was replaced by an American flag with the Gadsden symbol (Snake with Don’t Tread on Me written). I don’t know how he thinks that is not political.

Two houses down, they are flying a flag that says Fuck Biden which I find completely classless, considering they have a child that lives there, and there are children across the road. They have only lived there a few years but made their thoughts known soon after moving in. 

I don’t hide the fact I despise Trump. I didn’t like him before he became president, and I honestly think he’s a piece of shit human. I generally don’t care for many politicians as it’s hard to find one that isn’t in it for some personal gain. That goes for all parties. It doesn’t mean I don’t voice about issues I believe in because there are some that I can’t believe we are still fighting for, like women’s rights. 

Back to the mailbox flag. I find it highly annoying for so many reasons, but I also believe in freedom of speech. They are using that right to express their opinion—and that is all it is—their opinion. They are so confident in it that they feel everyone should know. It makes me think of a quote by Charles Bukowski: “The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.”

The thing that worries me most about politics is that there is no middle ground anymore. Politicians want to divide us and encourage hate, so we fight each other instead of them. If you don’t like Trump, you must love Biden, or vice versa. It’s one or the other to them because they know that old saying is true: Together we stand; divided we fall.  But I think we all know it’s a corrupt system that runs on money and favors. Politicians should have to wear patches of all their sponsors/donors for the public to see, as race car drivers do. The sad part is that the only way to make changes is to put it up for a vote, and the people we are sick of are the ones who do that, and they are not going to vote away their meal ticket.  

I admit that when I saw the first flag on the mailbox, it negatively influenced my opinion of the neighbor, and I don’t think it will easily go away. But we live near them, not with them, and I’m good at ignoring things. We recently put up 32 feet of privacy fence facing the easement. I plan to paint fun murals on the side facing the yard. Perhaps I will also paint some fun things facing the easement. Our world could use a little more fun and creativity and fewer politics. 

Lately, my understanding is that I have a life to live, regardless of who’s in charge. I have to make the best of my remaining years, and listening to some yutz’s false promises is not on my list of to-dos. Life is meant to be enjoyed amongst family and friends, exploring our world, and not worrying about who supports who, even though it’s hard sometimes. I will choose issues worth fighting for, not a persona or party. I’m not saying I won’t ever speak up, but I think it’s about choosing the right place and audience. If I tried to go against my neighbors it would only cause dissension among us, and they are not worth the trouble. I have better things to do, like enjoy my life.   

I am going to end my rant on that note and a Mark Twain quote:

“Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.”