Political Readerboard Message

[Red Baron]

Thinking about the following two readerboard messages at my car wash but thought I'd run it by your guys first. Keep in mind we're in conservative West Texas but there are a few libs here. The only thing that gives me pause is that my messages probably won't win me any new customers, but might cost me a few old ones.

Side 1:
AMERICAN
EXCEPTIONALISM
BELIEVE IT!

Side 2:
NRA MEMBERS
GET A FREE $9
AUTOMATIC WASH

What say you?

 

[mac]

I like it. But then again, my taste in things has been questioned before. My theory is that any advertising is better than no advertising.

 

[Waxman]

NRA one is better; use that.

I didn't get the first one, so depending upon how dumb your poultation is compared to me, it may not 'land'.

 

[jfmoran]

I don't see a problem with either message. My question would be what's the point? Are you trying to attract more business or are you trying to make a political statement? If your customer base is already conservative then you're just preaching to the choir. If you're trying to attract more business, why run off the moderates and liberals? Last I checked their money is still green and spends the same.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Leave politics out of your advertising. There are many of us out there that see those who have a need to wear their politics on their sleeve as a little fanatical and sometimes unbalanced. As right as you may think your beliefs are there are just as many out there that think you are a fool for feeling the way you do. Don't alienate a portion of your market in a futile attempt to get them to think the way you do. I wish the politics were gone from the forum. The Obama haters here aren't much better than the dueling idiot Bush haters that we had before the last forum upgrade.

 

[rph9168]

I totally agree that politics should be kept as something personal and not in any advertising. Any advertising/marketing campaign should be designed to attract potential customers and encourage existing ones to continue using your wash. Anything that might alienate either group is counter productive.

As far as politics on the Forum, one has the option to read those opinions or not so I cannot understand why that should be a problem. I think Bill does a good job to keep it sane especially when it comes to personal attacks on other posters. Those that have been banned or disciplined crossed the line from political opinion to character assassination of other posters.

 

[Ghetto Wash]

As far as politics on the Forum, one has the option to read those opinions or not so I cannot understand why that should be a problem.

I don't have a problem with it, but I do have an opinion about it. I couldn't have said it better than I.B.

 

[Red Baron]

Leave politics out of your advertising. There are many of us out there that see those who have a need to wear their politics on their sleeve as a little fanatical and sometimes unbalanced. As right as you may think your beliefs are there are just as many out there that think you are a fool for feeling the way you do. Don't alienate a portion of your market in a futile attempt to get them to think the way you do. I wish the politics were gone from the forum. The Obama haters here aren't much better than the dueling idiot Bush haters that we had before the last forum upgrade.

I am fanatical and unbalanced, and your point was???

You're right of course, and I guess I knew that before I asked or I wouldn't have asked. I'm funny about needing validation. lol

That said, it's not about wearing my politics on my sleeve - 13 years on this board and if not for Patrick Crowe nobody would know my political leaning. It's a matter of being frustrated with how screwed up this country is. I guess punishing my revenue at the car wash is no way to go about it though.

 

[JJJakubowski]

Good Gawd --- what the hell has happened to this country?!! That question is rhetorical. I KNOW what has been happening to America. And it is as detestable as it is tragic. To that point and back to my "question" about the Baron's question:

I have childhood memories that go back to the 1940's. Oh, how things have changed ... de-volved. From sea to shining sea, the air reeks with the stench of the foul fruit that has been dropping from the twisted tree of Political Correctness over the last couple decades. Thanks to all the unrelenting work of Leftist politicians and their cohorts in Lib Media over these years, we've been herded to THIS point ... to this precipice:

Now, Americans who publicly and sincerely express a love of country and a belief in its being exceptional are considered too political ... POLITICAL!!! And now, patriotic expressions are dangerous because they may offend members of a political party, "Independents", or Allah knows who?!!

Again, "what the hell has happened to this country?!! "

To my mind, heart 'n gut, if ever there were a time for "all good men" to stand up and be counted, it is NOW --- here, there, wherever, whenever we have (or make) the opportunity to do so.

It's more than a bit ironic that this discussion (about the "dangers" of expressed patriotism) is happening right now --- Memorial Day weekend ---- a time when America honors those who faced horrific danger and made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve this great and truly exceptional country.

And, yes, I do believe it!

BTW, just in case somebody might be offended by that, allow me to make absolutely sure you're offended by saying --- screw you and the horse (or Politically Correct Prius) you rode in on.

JJJ/SSCWN

 

[Red Baron]

Thanks for getting my 6, JJ.

I've been thinking the same thing. I've also been thinking that if my opinion costs me some business, oh well. It would have cost me the business of people I don't respect anyway. There are more things in life to consider than money.

And although I never thought about doing this for money, the thought crossed my mind that - here in conservative West Texas - I'd bet dollars to donuts that a lot of patriots would do a double-take at my sign, flip a u-turn and say "By God, I'm gonna spend some money with that guy."

I joined National Write Your Congressman group several years ago and they asked me for a 1 sentence comment about society. I told him: The silent majority better wake up and be a lot less silent.

Hollow words if I won't take my own advice.

 

[MEP001]

Now, Americans who publicly and sincerely express a love of country and a belief in its being exceptional are considered too political ... POLITICAL!!!

Making a statement like that is one thing; making one that takes a side between parties is another. The first quote considered by Red would be no different than flying the American flag. The second would be akin to offering a free car wash with an abortion.

 

[pitzerwm]

I think that we are talking about a couple of different issues here. Patriot is one thing and I agree with standing up for your country, salute the flag, something I notice our own President doesn't bother to do. Politics are totally different, IMO if you can make a good living with only the people that agree with you politically, then knock yourself out, but why pi$$ off maybe half your customers because you are a Repub or Dem? In that same light would you put on your advertising/signs, I'm a Catholic?

Now if you want to use your sign/advertising to bash gays or Muslims/Mexicans whatever, most people even if they somewhat agree with you might be uncomfortable/offended by it.

IMO opinion your job is to make a good ROI, your business isn't the place to wave some flag. Personally, I'm offended when people are waving their religious flag in their business. My religion is my business and I don't need them telling me that mine is wrong and theirs is right. Or any other enlightenment that they think that I need.

Another thing that bothers me is someone that has a dog or kid/s running around their shop.

 

[Red Baron]

I think that we are talking about a couple of different issues here. Patriot is one thing and I agree with standing up for your country, salute the flag, something I notice our own President doesn't bother to do. Politics are totally different, IMO if you can make a good living with only the people that agree with you politically, then knock yourself out, but why pi$$ off maybe half your customers because you are a Repub or Dem? In that same light would you put on your advertising/signs, I'm a Catholic?

Now if you want to use your sign/advertising to bash gays or Muslims/Mexicans whatever, most people even if they somewhat agree with you might be uncomfortable/offended by it.

IMO opinion your job is to make a good ROI, your business isn't the place to wave some flag. Personally, I'm offended when people are waving their religious flag in their business. My religion is my business and I don't need them telling me that mine is wrong and theirs is right. Or any other enlightenment that they think that I need.

Another thing that bothers me is someone that has a dog or kid/s running around their shop.

I agree regarding patriotism vs politics.

It's sad statement in this country, I guess, that defending our Second Amendment rights has become a Republican vs Democrat issue, for the most part.

My sign idea was depending on the fact that a high percentage of anti-gun folks wouldn't know what "NRA" meant. Another high percentage have no opinion on gun ownership and thus a high percentage of them also wouldn't know what NRA meant.

I got my pickup worked on a few months ago. When I picked it up from the dealership, the service guys said: We noticed your tag light was out so we went ahead and replaced it for free because we saw the NRA sticker on your window.

Religion - Nothing turns me off faster than someone who injects their religion or their sunday school and mission work into every possible conversation. I always wonder who they're trying to convince, me or them.

 

[rph9168]

The founding fathers made it a point to separate Church and State. You could also add the separation of Church and Business to that.

 

[Washmee]

The founding fathers made it a point to separate Church and State. You could also add the separation of Church and Business to that.

Its freedom of religion, not from religion. Thats where the "Progressives" get it wrong.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

 

[Red Baron]

Its freedom of religion, not from religion. Thats where the "Progressives" get it wrong.

I started to type that but then decided that I've had that argument 10,000 times and haven't convinced anyone

 

[Waxman]

What about this idea;

Keep your intentions in your heart, whether religious, political or otherwise. Then display those intentions through your actions.

After all, talk is cheap. The only thing cheaper is called Waxman.

 

[Red Baron]

Honest, it wasn't my intent to start a religion/politics thread.

I should know better. Everytime I get into political or religious discussion with people I think are pretty smart, their IQ invariably drops 75 points.

I'll try to stick to gantrys, vacs, and mudders in the future.

 

[rph9168]

I am fully aware of the principle of the freedom of religion. What I was referring to was the concept originally describer by Thomas Jefferson which has been refined and redefined many times since. The separation between church and state is a well established concept which, until the Civil Liberties Union and other far left organizations have challenged it, remained in place for over 200 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States

 

[Red Baron]

I am fully aware of the principle of the freedom of religion. What I was referring to was the concept originally describer by Thomas Jefferson which has been refined and redefined many times since. The separation between church and state is a well established concept which, until the Civil Liberties Union and other far left organizations have challenged it, remained in place for over 200 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States

I hate it when they "refine and refine" The Constitution. The problem I have with that is that I can't think of a single politician today who is qualified to amend what our Founding Fathers constructed.