Funny Bumper Stickers and More

From the cool Atlantic ocean waters crashing on the rocky shores of Maine to the sun-filled coast of California, the United States of America is a treasure trove of all things beautiful. Its landscape of snow-capped mountains, deep canyons, and gentle plains is as varied as its people.

This nation, that places its welcome mat at the feet of Lady Liberty, has seen immigrants from across the globe make this melting pot their home. But amidst all these variations, its citizens hold at least one value in common: the Constitutional right to freedom of expression.

Specifically, its the first amendment to the Constitution, ratified in the Bill of Rights in 1791, which grants the right to free speech. This amendment allows the citizens of the United States to speak freely without fear of government interference. And speak freely they do!

It's hard to imagine that the founding fathers could have fathomed the ways people would choose to exercise their points of view.

In an odd sort of way, bumper stickers, for example, allow people to peacefully express their viewpoint, be it controversial, religious, political, funny, thoughtful, or even bizarre.

Almost as soon as there were bumpers, there were bumper "stickers." Constructed of cardboard and metal, the earliest renditions of bumper stickers were attached to the bumpers of Model T-Fords with wire and string.

However, the roots of the modern day adhesive bumper sticker date back to 1934 when Forest P. Gill of Kansas began printing on canvas in his small basement business. The printed canvas products graced awnings and tire covers, often serving to advertise a business or brand.

After World War II, Gill combined a newly developed florescent paint and a self-sticking adhesive to create the modern day bumper sticker. Once operating out of a small rented building, the Gill-line expanded over the years into a 240,000 sq.ft. manufacturing facility. Located in Lenexa, Kansas, today the Gill-line produces a wide range of products, with custom decals and bumper stickers being its top two sellers.

By their 50th anniversary in 1984, Gill-line had printed over one-billion bumper stickers and perhaps is the biggest manufacturer of bumper stickers today. With so many products to advertise and viewpoints to express on bumper stickers the Gill's family business should thrive for even more years to come.

>>> History of Gill-line bumper stickers

Self-expression comes in many forms, but advertising one's agenda, associations, interests, advice, random thoughts, and funny one-liners on the bumper of a car seems rather peculiar.

It's not that the content is necessarily odd, although there are definitely some very bizarre bumper stickers out there, it's the idea of adhering a $3.99 bumper sticker onto the bumper of a $30,000 automobile that seems strange.

Since the average price of a new car in 2011 was $29,602 and rising every year it seems unimaginable that anyone would mar the bumper of a shiny new car with a cheap bumper sticker.

On the flip side, if other people want to put bumper stickers on their cars, that is their choice, actually their Constitutional right.

Funny bumper stickers are the best and can often give you a sense of what the driver in front is like. A little humor while stuck in traffic can certainly lower blood pressure, but then there are the bumper stickers that leave the reader wondering, "What?" Worst of all are the bumper stickers that make the blood boil.

But admittedly, when driving behind a car with a bumper sticker, whether it appears to be a funny bumper sticker or not, it's almost impossible to not squint and read every word.

Making the choice to adhere a bumper sticker to a car really does say a lot about the person driving. Think of it this way: a bumper sticker is akin to a full commitment of marriage, whereas the newer window decals that easily peel off are more like just moving in together.

It goes without saying, that the only purpose of a funny bumper sticker is to bring a little laughter to someone.

Perhaps funny bumper stickers, and bumper stickers in general, are the precursor to funny statuses on Facebook.

Here are a few funny bumper stickers that just make you chuckle:

•There's no excuse for laziness

But I'm working on it.

• Hard work has a future pay off

Laziness pays off now

•Hard work may not kill me

But why take chances

• Lord help me be the person

My dog thinks I am

• Been dieting for a month

So far I've lost 31 days

• Some people are afraid of heights

Personally I'm afraid of widths

• What if the hokey pokey

IS what it's all about?

• There's a fine line between fishing

and just standing on the shore looking like an idiot

• Consciousness -

The annoying time between naps

• Watch out

For the idiot behind me

• If you want to drive a Hummer

ENLIST

• I may be old

But I got to see all the cool bands

• To err is human

To arr is pirate

• I don't suffer from insanity

I enjoy every minute of it

• Don't worry what people think

They don't do it very often

• Honk if you love Jesus

Text and drive if you want to meet him

• The only solution for economic recovery

Is Chuck Norris merchandise

• Sorry for driving

So close in front of you

• I may be slow

But I'm ahead of you

If you seen other funny bumper stickers, be sure to include them in the comments section below.

When the time finally comes to remove a bumper sticker from a car, it can be a tricky job to do unless it has already started to come off on its own. Simply grabbing at a corner and peeling it up is probably the worst way to tackle this job.

Luckily, there are people who have figured out the best methods to remove bumper stickers. Many of them involve heat to break down the adhesive.

The Tampa Bay Times Couponsherpa has put together a list of 5 Ways to Remove Bumper Stickers:

1. Boiling water

2. Natural agents like vinegar

3. WD-40

4. Blowdryer

5. Goo-Gone

The key to making any of these methods work is to do them slowly. For example, place a towel soaked with boiling water on top of the sticker. After a couple of minutes try to slowly peel the bumper sticker starting at a corner. If necessary, pour boiling water onto the sticker and wait.

On a final note, consider keeping the funny bumper stickers in place. A little laughter (especially in traffic) goes a long way.

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