Molly Ivins: Boycott the Malls

[Dudley_DUright]

Nell and I (and Horse of course) already decided that we are giving each other memberships to several progressive organizations as part of our mutual christmas presents. Molly gives some good suggestions in this regard.

For those of us who are in a bit of lather about the state of the union these days -- and who hate to shop anyway -- the holidays offer a swell opportunity to help save the country and the earth, while getting rid of our entire shopping list at the same time. We can knock off our entire Christmas or Hanukkah gift lists without ever going near a mall.

The perfect answer, of course, is to give money to a worthy cause in the name of your friends and loved ones. You simply send a check in honor of everyone on your list to some worthy cause you know they cherish and regard the simplicity of it. Checks do not require packaging. You will not be adding to the plastic peanut plague, so ecologically incorrect.

A check is such a simple thing -- lightweight, portable, shipped without fuss by the U.S. Post Office for 37 cents -- and the mailperson picks it up for you. You can even call and put your donation on a credit card.

Naturally, the cause to which you contribute in your loved ones' names will be happy to notify them said cause has received this generous contribution in their names -- and that, as a consequence, the said person is now held among the highest angels of goodness, enlightenment and generosity.

more...

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=16153

Here we all are singing Christmas carols.

[adadem]

1. They're already pretty empty

I don't know about anywhere else but the malls and stores in West Michigan are no more crowded than at any other time.

[MasonJar]

2. What a great lady.

I had already thought of that; last year I began giving different animal organizations and environmental groups gifts in my family's and my friends' names. These organizations are really hurting in the Shrub environment. I am doing it again this year.

[pippin]

3. Be like Chinese Americans

Give money in red packages for birthdays, weddings, Christmas, new year, whatever!

Everyone is happy and no one wants to return the packages!

[dennis4868]

4. I am doing a force boycott....

because I have NO money to spend after I pay my rent and health insurance....man bring on more of those tax cuts!