@doschicos Political views can be expressed in a variety of ways, obviously. Perhaps it is more common for one side to express their views by placing signs outside of their business, while the other side expresses their views through protests and such. I don’t really see a problem with either form of political expression, but I do find the whole act of political expression rather annoying as I think people should formulate their own opinions without peer/societal pressure. But that’s a different story…
The line for me would be if the owner were directly discriminating against customers/patients because of his/her political views, or if he/she were aggressively pushing his/her political views onto customers/patients (i.e. asking you who you are voting for, why you are voting for him/her, harassing you over it, etc).
I know a few business owners who are very vocal about their political leanings, but none of them pester or harass customers over it.
To be honest, I won’t take my business anywhere that has rude employees. In my opinion, making disparaging comments about anyone is rude…in a public place like a small business (yes, I know they are private businesses, but they do cater to the public).
This has nothing to do with politics, or religion or anything else.
OTOH, my orthopedist is one of the tops in the state. He has never mentioned anything that offends me in any way…but if he did…I would,have to put my medical welfare ahead of my personal beliefs. This guy is just too good.
@fractalmstr In my neck of the woods there are plenty of signs regardless of side, at least signs promoting their candidates. The vast majority are either on public land or private residences. It’s a real eyesore in my opinion and I wonder if it has any effect in swaying individuals but that’s a whole other discussion.
Thank you for explaining your viewpoint. In general, I agree with you. The statement he chose to post I found pretty toxic however and although it was not said to my face, it is quite the statement. Frankly, I honestly would be somewhat taken aback by a mean spirited comment against the other candidate as well. I don’t like ugly discourse and feel it is a real scourge on our political landscape right now.
@thumper1 I do think the ugliness/rudeness of the message is at the root of the matter in my disgust. My dentist is good but I’m sure I can find someone else who will also do a solid job.
As an outlier to other opinions expressed here, I’m interested to know if you would be comfortable with anything posted on a business owner’s sign as long as it was expressed to you face to face? Sincere question.
I’d slink away. I’m not good with confrontation. If asked explicitly, I would say why but other than that, nope.
Yard signs are one thing but I refuse to continue to support (with my money) people who contribute to the incredibly toxic environment that we’re experiencing.
Oy, yet another thread where freedom of speech is misunderstood. Thanks for explaining, @frazzled1
@doschicos I actually agree with you. Admittedly, I didn’t read through the entirety of your first post to know that the inflammatory part of the messages was the part you were against. I would be against that as well, regardless of political leaning. I think it’s tacky.
Well, surely they face consequences for the way they choose to exercise freedom of speech. If it’s a problem for you, you can stop watching their show or buying their advertisers’ products, can’t you?
ETA: I was replying to a now-edited post, which is why my comment seems apropos of nothing.
I personally draw the line with what talk show hosts I’ll watch. For example, I don’t care for Samantha Bee or Bill Maher as I find them too caustic, venomous, and mean spirited. I’ll admit to finding some of the others pretty entertaining and clever.
Like @frazzled1, some get my viewership and others don’t. There are plenty of media outlets catering to all viewpoints these days.
A friend of mine was recently saying she was going to stop going to a certain bar because she found out that it was partly owned by a local elected official who has expressed support for not-her Presidential candidate. He expressed said opinion in the context of his local political race (everyone runing was asked who they supported). He is involved in/part owner of a few local establishments and I have never seen those busineses express any political views with signs or any such thing.
Personally, I would not go that far. As another friend said, you won’t find many places to go eat and drink around here if you rule out any on that grounds. That said, I did stop frequenting a local restaurant that took an active public stand on a local issue that I didn’t agree with.
And the guy who was on my Nextdoor account saying that OF COURSE the person who supported the wrong candidate had her signs stolen, what did she expect, and then posting multiple times about how awful that candidate was… He has posted there advertising his construction/remodeling business. I’d never in a million years call him if I was doing any work on my house. Because he’s a jerk who doesn’t seem to respect other peoples’ property. Not someone I want to have access to my house.
@fractalmstr Since you “love” my statement, I feel compelled to respond.
Tolerance, in my opinion, is the restraint I am showing by not physically confronting or verbally attacking someone who has a different viewpoint. More importantly, I am not trying to change that person’s viewpoint. I am not picketing the business. I am walking with my wallet.
Tolerance…again this is my opinion…doesn’t mean I have to suffer offensive behavior in order to prove something. I am respectfully taking my business elsewhere, a place where I am not being offended.
Now to answer your questions:
– in the case described above, the political viewpoint IS affecting my service, because I am feeling offended. Why should I stay in an “abusive” relationship, when perhaps I can patronize someone who doesn’t feel compelled to engage in such a manner.
– What am I trying to accomplish? I guess avoiding something I find distasteful. And I will say it again, I would probably ignore it, unless it crossed my personal line.
I am sorry you find it ridiculous, but some would say my continuing to patronize a business that disregards the feelings of a segment of their clientele is condoning that behavior. If someone wants to sarcastically imply that I am being intolerant, so be it. I can live with it. I know what is in my heart.
And do you think your dentist should be allowed to deny a patient service if that patient sat in his waiting room loudly lambasting a candidate he supports (to the point where his interpretation is that the patient’s comments were inflammatory) or expresses a position on a social issue he disagrees with?
Obviously you have every right to support or not support any business you choose based on whatever criteria you choose including their political leanings. I agree with your comment that America is becoming increasingly fractured, and IMO the gaps are growing at an alarming rate. We have largely lost our ability to find common ground.
I love movies and have since I was young. Given my personal political beliefs, and understanding how far they are from the well publicized political leanings of many in Hollywood, if I only went to see movies created by, acted by those who shared my beliefs, I wouldn’t see many movies. And, I would miss being exposed to new ideas - some I agree with and some I don’t.
I talk about it a lot with the people I fly with. Even though I’m the boss in my tiny domain, I am not intimidating and I wouldn’t put someone down for any choice. Plus I’m an equal opportunity hater, so I don’t really offend anyone. I’ve found that most of the businesses I frequent aren’t proud to advertise for either candidate, and if anybody brings it up, they are reluctant to talk about it or are in horror, like me.
But since you brought it up, I’m not sure that anti-discrimination laws (Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.) provide protection based on political affiliation.
(This is my understanding so I could be wrong but…) as long as it’s not an emergency, medical professionals can refuse certain patients. Think about pediatricians who won’t take on children who haven’t been vaccinated (by parent choice, not due to a medical condition).
@Matmaven, I think you’re correct. But my point stands that businesses are subject to certain legal constraints that individuals aren’t. Also, I’d be more concerned about being a patient whose dentist or doctor or whatever knew I had different views and chose to treat me worse because of those views than about being the dentist or doctor or whatever.
"Also, I’d be more concerned about being a patient whose dentist or doctor or whatever knew I had different views and chose to treat me worse because of those views than about being the dentist or doctor or whatever. "
So here’s where the rubber meets the road-
IF you dont agree with the beliefs of the Drs, lawers, plumbers you choose to work with AND you LET THEM KNOW THAT, AND you then continue to use them, DONT be surprised if some of the more unprofessional service providers will not give you first class service.
In this election cycle, if my dentist had signs and other material advocating against my choice for senator, or school board member, or city council member, it likely wouldn’t be a problem for me (unless the content of the materials was otherwise offensive). With the presidential race, I just couldn’t deal with it this time around. It would be a deal-breaker for me.
If I were right in the middle of treatment, it would be a real problem for me.
In my area, it’s much more common for a small business to have a political sign in support of a local candidate. In other words, you’ll see a sign for mayor, alderman, sheriff, state’s attorney, board members, etc.
