To the Editor:

I have heard some disturbing news about Harris/Walz signs being defaced with profanity or stolen off of people’s lawns in Newtown.

It is yet another example of how our morals have slipped since Donald Trump came down that golden escalator and spoke, without any proof, of how Mexicans were rapists bringing crime to our country. All the hateful rhetoric that has come at us every day since then is bringing out the worst in us by asking us to believe ridiculous lies (such as the latest one about legal Haitian immigrants eating people’s pets in Springfield, Ohio, which has been debunked by the Springfield Mayor and the Governor of Ohio). The stealing and defacing of political signs seems to be such a minor, innocent thing compared to all the lies and violence that we hear every day.

But it isn’t minor or innocent, is it? It’s a slippery slope.

The people responsible are depriving the owners of those signs of their right to the First Amendment — freedom of speech and political expression. Also, if you deface someone’s signs, especially with profanity, everyone who drives by sees it, including young children. So much for “Nicer in Newtown.” Last, if you take someone’s signs, it’s stealing. Are we really okay with that?

I’ve only heard about Democratic signs being stolen and defaced, but in either case, the above still applies. We need to get back on track in our wonderful town and consider the things that are being done in the name of politics. We need to live up to our slogan, “Nicer in Newtown.”

That’s why I am supporting the Democratic ticket on November 5. Harris/Walz, Chris Murphy, Jahana Hayes, Rob Blanchard and Aaron Zimmer will help us live up to the best in us.

Please vote blue on November 5.

Lynn Hungaski

Newtown