Do bumper stickers and yard signs serve any positive purpose?

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Permalink Reply by Douglas Karr on October 1, 2008 at 11:20pm

I avoid staying behind cars with political support stickers on their bumpers for fear that I will get caught in the long line of lemmings heading for the cliff.

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Permalink Reply by Maureen on October 2, 2008 at 8:00am

I like that people do this. It shows engagement and opinion and yes a statement about what you believe. Yes a positive purpose. I just visited a college campus with my daughter the day after the debate...........we saw not one sign........not one chalking.........nothing to indicate that anyone on the campus had any awareness of current events.

Made me feel like I was in the Truman Show....or Lake Wobegon... "where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average."

I would be disturbed if I didn't see any 'signs' of interest in the presidential campaign. Apathy is far more rampant.........they just don't care enough to let people know that...................they don't care about anything.

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Permalink Reply by Maureen on October 2, 2008 at 10:58am

Here's a very good sign.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Stuck on October 2, 2008 at 12:56pm

Is this a good sign if he is holding it in a playground full of children?

Just making fun of it.

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Permalink Reply by Maureen on October 2, 2008 at 1:42pm

Ha Ha Steve.

Way to find evil in that video!

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Permalink Reply by Stephen James on October 2, 2008 at 11:40am

Loaded slogans and one line quips do not help relationships or make the conversation/compromise/understanding go anywhere. That said, bumper stickers identify and allude to larger beliefs and associations.

The problem I have is that people do not have these on their person (not that I'm proposing it). They have them on their cars and their lawns. How am I supposed to have conversation about the topic. Go up and knock on a stranger's door and ask them why they are voting for Obama or McCain?

Many people may feel commonality when they read signs they agree with, but I'm skeptical. Yes, "My boss is a Carpenter," "Hockey moms are pit bulls," and "Earth is my mother" are cute, but it's marketing that doesn't have authenticity attached to it. How Christian or environmental or anti-Bush is the other person and why are not shared with the recipient of the message, but it is a starting point.

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Permalink Reply by Maureen on October 2, 2008 at 12:16pm

I see what you're saying Stephen. Expressions of hostility and stereotyping abound right now. ugh.........with a side of .........ugh! Unfortunate but, people are (within limits) free to express themselves and that's a good thing.

I know when my neighbor breaks out their Bears House Flag.............I make sure I have my Colts Flag flying. I've got to REPRESENT.

There will be NO talking me into being a Bears fan. We both aim for neighborhood domination! : )

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Permalink Reply by Steve Stuck on October 2, 2008 at 12:58pm

Maybe your missing the point of the sign itself. Maybe they don't want certain people to come visit them so they make their beliefs known. But signs don't always deter people from coming onto your property. Humans can't even keep themselves off properties that say "No Trespassing". A friend of mine has one political candidate yard sign, but the other candidate volunteers keep nagging him. He finds it pretty amazing.

I have two shirts I wear that turn peoples heads and do get conversations happening. One is more more eye turning than the other. But it has introduced me to other people.

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Permalink Reply by David Mark on October 2, 2008 at 12:16pm

Good one Doug! Funny you should start this discussion Pat. Just last night, a group of us had this exact discussion at a local watering hole. As for me, it really doesn't do much. I think, "Great, you support so and so", but it doesn't influence my decision. I'm happy to support who I feel is best to lead this country, but I don't feel the desire to wear it on my sleeve, in my yard, or on the back of my car. Besides, with all of the radicals out there, I fear someone might "key" my car for supporting Mr. or Mrs. Numbnuts (Whomever that might be). If I may be more blunt here, I see it as useless waste (even if it's made of post consumer recycled paper). Kind of ironic if you think about it. They preach global warming and eco-friendly this and that, but scatter North America with millions of crap on the end of a stick. i know it's only every four years, but it all adds up.

Well, I have to go now. I'm volunteering for Obama by placing yard signs in lawns across central Indiana. ;D

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Permalink Reply by Jim Johnson on October 2, 2008 at 12:29pm

Personally, I don't have a problem with yard signs or bumper stickers. It declares our freedom of speech. Having been in the former Soviet Union where there were no such freedoms, these expressions allow us to freely declare our allegiances without persecution.

I plan to post my first yard sign ever this year. Mine will be a McCain/Palin. My neighbors (who are great people) have an Obama '08 in their yard. I plan to post an additional sign next to mine that will read "I love my neighbors. I just hope they change."

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Permalink Reply by Mike Seidle on October 3, 2008 at 6:51am

This year, 50% of other drivers will think you are an idiot if you put a presidential sticker on your car, no matter who you support. Talk about polarized.

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Permalink Reply by Douglas Karr on October 3, 2008 at 3:33pm

Amen, Mike! I'm in the 50% of other drivers. :)

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