This past week, my wife and I drove across the entire state of Pennsylvania. The disparity of signage was never more apparent. I’m talking about the ability of illusion to influence reality and a bandwagon effect. Especially on the Interstates!
While visiting rural PA south of Pittsburgh, the Trump signs abounded. Both in the rolling meadows of farmlands and in the forested hills. The dearth of Biden signs made you think there was no opposing candidate. Not only did homes have large Trump banners and lawn signs, but local Republicans had seeded signs along roads on that small grassy apron that is state property. (And I noticed that the majority of homes, had NO signs — which could indicate a subversive message as well.)
Then we visited friends in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, and of course, Biden and Harris were suddenly on lawns and back in the race. And yes, the density of voters in these counties was greater than in the rurals, I know. But we didn’t have to go far on a bike ride south of Pitt to see the signage change, including a pair of six foot Trump banners on the front lawn of a popular beer company. And our Democrat friends were scared of discussing politics in any public place.
For the moment, put aside the eye rolling fact that as NJ suburban folk, we know that Trump has only disparaged the very rurals that now kneel before him and go mask-less in deference. That his policies actually keep them down, widening the gap between them and the rich.
But let’s get to the Turnpike, which we rode back all the way across the state. Not until we reached the Philly area did we see some good Biden billboards. IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL PA, THE TRUMP BILLBOARDS SCREAM AT YOU FROM THE TURNPIKE. And these are accompanied by home-made Trump ones on some visible farmland. And there are many empty billboards still advertising. Where are we???? It demoralized me, I admit. Are we really ahead 3-5 points in this state?
I tried contacting Pennsylvania Democrats and couldn’t find a phone number or a contact link on their website. On a phone team yesterday I asked the coordinator and she said she couldn’t give me any contact info and just said, she’ll pass it up the chain.
How do we get on this?