To the editor:

The prolific yard signs seen on Broad Street speak to an unprecedented interest in political outcomes as our election nears. Regrettably, we have seen an unusual amount of yard signs pilfered off of citizens private property. Can anyone guess which political signs are being taken? Anyone, anyone? Well, what a lucky guesser you are. That’s right: Democratic yard signs…go figure. Beyond the fact that taking yard signs is illegal, it also involves trespassing and a violation of federal law.

But there is a larger context that gives permission for these night time marauders to come out of their holes and covertly and cowardly express their political views by stealing yard signs.

One only has to look to the behavior and moral compass of “their leader,” Donald Trump, to give cover to those not willing to play by the rules. Trump is an individual who has clocked over 20,000 lies and misrepresentations. A man who brags he could shoot someone on the streets of Manhattan and get away with it. A man who takes money from his own charitable foundation, a man who stiffs construction contractors out of the money owed to them, and a man who bilks hundreds of students out of their hard earned money by running a fraudulent and fake college.

Is there more to the “leader’s” lack of integrity? Well, there is. Donald Trump is a man who pays hush money to porn stars, refuses to show his taxes (why), withholds defense money to our allies to get dirt on his political rival, pardons convicted friends as a reward for their silence, and refuses to confront Putin for putting bounties on the heads of our American solders.

There is no question that “the Donald” by his example has ushered in a new ethical code for his minions to follow: “whatever you can get away with is okay.” Sadly, it’s now the “sign of the times.”