Your car is making a political statement

Right Democrat

[RightDemocrat]

What does the kind of vehicle you drive say about your political views ? An informal survey that I did before the last election found that drivers with foreign cars were more likely to back Kerry while those with American cars were more apt to support Bush.

As a "old school" labor Democrat, I have consistently purchased union-made American vehicles. While conducting my survey matching political bumper stickers with cars, I observed that about 90% of the vehicles with Kerry stickers were on foreign automobiles. The only exceptions were a few middle aged guys driving American trucks with Kerry stickers and some elderly New Deal Democrats in sedans. By and large support for Kerry equated with a desire to drive foreign made vehicles.

In contrast, probably 60% of vehicles with Bush stickers were American made. While often the vehicle was the politically incorrect SUV, I noticed Bush stickers of a wide variety of types of U.S. made cars. I found it ironic that so many progressives claim to support fair trade and pro-labor policies but don't drive union-made American vehicles. Bush voters seem to display greater economic patriotism in terms of their choice of car purchase.

I realize that there is no such thing as a 100% American vehicle due to foreign components and outsourcing, however, buying American still makes a difference for U.S. workers. Our domestic auto manufacturers did err in concentrating so heavily on gas guzzling SUV's, but they are also in trouble due to providing decent working conditions and benefits for their employees. As is often the case, the rhetoric of progressives doesn't match their actions.

[Publius6961]

What a doofus!

I haven't owned an American "Branded" car since 1963, and have never voted democrat.

And based on the car I currently drive, the idiots who love polls would get things exactly 180 out of whack.

[cripplecreek]

I have 3 Fords.

[GSlob]

What would be the plural of "doofus"? "Doofuses" or "doofi"?

[HighlyOpinionated]

I think he's onto something, EVERYone I've met who is driving a Volvo is VERY environmentally oriented and a VERY liberal supporter of Kerry.

My car is a 1995 Ford Escort with 224,000 miles on it. I just did a cross-State drive and got 34 miles to the gallon.

And I have NO political stickers on my car, other than a sign on the dash that says "Veritas vos Liberabit."

[MikefromOhio]

I own a Chrysler AND a Jeep...

by the way, most Toyotas bought in the USA were made in the USA...

In some cases, Hyundai or Toyota cars ARE MADE in the USA whereas some Dodge (Mexico) or Ford and Chevy (Canada) are not....

[DameAutour]

What about all the black people with the cadillacs?

[cripplecreek]

The only sticker on my truck says

Michigan International Speedway

Speed limit 195

[digger48]

I own a 4X4 Ford 250HD pickup= 10-14 mpg and
a Honda Civic 33-42 mpg.

What statement does this make? You'd stand a better chance of identifying a Democrat from a Republican by studying their stool samples.

[claudiustg]

I drive a Honda Insight hybrid and a VW Vanagon Westfalia. I voted Republican in the last three Presidential elections and am an NRA member.

[Vision]

Why so quick to a personal attack?. I will see more Kerry stickers on a saab or volvo then a ford 150.

[Vision]

I notice certain patterns also. But what I just shake my head at is huge SUV's or Hummers with Kerry/Edwards stickers. I just say a prayer that someday they'll get a stronger grasp on reality.

I don't understand the American car industry. We should be the best in the world. It seems like folks get lazy and don't produce anything new. Then when their back is up against a wall they invent something that people can't get enough of...like the new Mustang or Chrysler 300C. I don't know why they can't do that all of the time.

[JLS]

Yep, I drove various 1963 GM cars and a 1937 Chrysler that my father got me in high school. My own cars have been a Fiat 124 Spyder, VW fastback, Mazda 626, Acrua Integra, Honda Accord, Honda Accord, Nissan Sentra, Infinity J-30, Nissan Pathfinder and BMW 3 seris. Some American made, some not but no US name plates. And I have long been a free market type guy who tends GOP.

[ChiMark]

How many Republicans drive a Subaru Forrester. I believe this to be one devisive car.

[TADSLOS]

Nice first post and screenname. I predict you will be towed off the Free Republic lot any minute now.

[Publius6961]

I predict you will be towed off the Free Republic lot any minute now.

LOL!

[Publius6961]

Why so quick to a personal attack?

I dislike stupidity.
But I despise totally a conclusion in search of an argument, which this article clearly is.

[Grut]

I think he's onto something, EVERYone I've met who is driving a Volvo is VERY environmentally oriented and a VERY liberal supporter of Kerry.

...and they WILL go on and on about "Volvo quality" even as their cars rust away around them!

[Originalist]

So what does my F-250 Supercab diesel say about me?

[Vision]

I dislike stupidity. But I despise totally a conclusion in search of an argument, which this article clearly is.

What?