There is one major drawback of a successful economic boycott.

[LiberalForEver]

Although I tend to favor the 'Economic Boycotts' that have been presented in numerous threads, we do run the risk of giving the Repukes PR ammo if we are successful.

The bush economy will self-implode and will result in its own terrible failure. If we run successful economic boycotts, 'they' can blame US for what would have been a failure if we had not acted. Of course their sure to fail economy would make it easier to be successful.

The question is whether we could achieve more in the short term than we would pay if they blame us for hurting the economy.

If we could somehow use the boycott as leverage to hold 'fair and free' election in 2006 and 2008, then it's worth it to proceed with the boycotts.

[K8-EEE]

1. No, Shift Your Money To Companies Who Support Lib Causes.

That's what I'm doing -- there are good reasons for leading a minimalist lifestyle besides not feeding the chimp, IMO, so people who do that, great.

But I'm just concentrating on finding out who the retailers support before I spend money.

This way, their base will stay strong and they will be encouraged to donate again. Why give companies who support the Big Red War Machine any money?

Therefore...McDonalds no, Burger King Yes

Wallmart no, CostCo YES

Pier One NO NO NO!

Local companies over mega-chains when possible -- leverage for local changes and policies.

Keep OUR base strong for the next election.

My next credit card statement will look the same probably as far as money spent -- but it will go to different vendors.

Common sense strategic spending. It's not that hard and believe me it WILL make a difference!

[glitch]

10. Yep - buy local as much as you can - this will also shift money back

to locals instead of to the corporate offices of, say, Walmart.

Same overall spending in the economy, so no one can say we are hurting America's economy, just shifting $ and power to LOCAL economies.

[KT2000]

2. Who cares about "them"

Norquist was on Moyers blaming the Democrats for bush's tanked economy. It is their habit to blame every one of their disasters on Dmeocrats.

How many American manufacturing jobs will be affected by a boycott - close to none. Most things are made in the country that owns our economy right now - China.

I do not want to do business with known repub companies and the thought of shopping till you drop while this horrendous war is going on makes me sick. Boycott away!

[serryjw]

3. 2nd MAJOR drawback

We put alot of dems out of work!

[DuaneBidoux]

7. Worth the sacrifice if it wakes America up to a president

who wants to take the country to pre-FDR era.

[Freddie Stubbs]

17. A risk some here seem willing to take

:shrug:

[Shallah Kali]

22. Alternative to doing nothing is Grandparents without SS; Vets without VA

a poisonious environment - not just metaphorically speaking but air pollution, mercury, radation for new bomb testing, etc. I don't want my grandparents out on the street because Bush Co. drained their Social Security and Medicare when I am to close to the edge myself to help them! I already have to be frugal out of necessity. Now I will shop more wisely to support progressive businesses that don't contribute to the Bush Co. war machine. Besides we all make a point of supporting other businesses eventually those who suffer because wal-marts and the rest can't sell as much can get better jobs with the businesses we DO shop at!

[movonne]

4. I am 100% behind a boycott...buy with dem friendly companys...

Take your money out of the big bank (B of A, etc) and get out of debt...

[DuaneBidoux]

5. This is exactly why I have wanted to get the meme planted abroad

That the boycott must be global of American products. I hope to troll abroad looking for places to plant the seed. I'm cutting back on spending. Thrift shops from now on, very light on Xmas, etc. but I still believe the most powerful way this can work is if the message comes from THE REST OF THE WORLD

[morillon]

6. I've had the same concern, but I think there's away to minimize harm.

If every single person who opposes the Bush administration cut his or her spending down to a minimum, the economy would suffer, no doubt about it. I'm certain people would start to lose their jobs.

That being said, although the really big Republican donor companies like Wal-Mart are a significant piece of the economic pie, they're not the whole game, either. I don't think shifting our spending to other companies will actually hurt the economy. I'm not an economist, but this seems to be just common sense to me.

All of those smaller local stores who are suffering since the big box stores came to town would welcome the new business, I'm sure. By shopping in these stores, you're not only poking a finger in the eye of a big Republican donor (a teeny weeny finger, but hey...), but you're also helping your community preserve its economy and identity.

[PretzelWarrior]

8. wow. so that's it? you're willing to let them win?

I'm telling you: the damage to you and other Democrats is much worse in the long term if we don't keep putting decisive pressure on them.

I would be stoked beyond belief if it were able to work. I feel our little circle of activists is just too small at this time to make a difference. I think things have to be radically upsetting to the average joe before it works the way many of us would like...

but bear in mind: I don't want the complete and utter failure of this economy. I just want this holiday season to be a bit dampened. I want people to feel the power of a people scorned. ANd I want to apply strategic economic pressure on the powers who HAVEN"T BEEN LISTENING TO US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. You mean 50 million people cannot muster...

a 5-10% drawback in expenditures? All we are being is frugal.

[LiberalForEver]

11. An average of 5-10% expenditure drawback of 55 million of OUR voters

would have an awesome effect!

[Me.]

12. A Lot Of Companies Are Already Hurting

from Bush policies. The toy industry has not recovered from 9/11 followed by a soft economy and the price gouging from Walmart. Walmart who doesn't pay a living wage or benefits. Taking that store down a notch or two will actually help others. More Costco stores, more people with better jobs who are able to buy toys from places other than Wal-Mart. I worry about people losing their jobs etc. too, but how long will they have them if all good jobs continue to be outsourced the way they are? And frankly, I for one am not going to worry about those red staters who take more then they give, who are subsidized with our money and then turn around and vote the fascists in. There is a price to be paid for their choices and not by just us.

[LiberalForEver]

13. Couldn't agree more

:kick:

[jpgray]

14. Yes, I remember MLK worried about getting blamed for lower bus revenue (nt

[PretzelWarrior]

15. LOL. way to put it in perspective.

Don't people still blame the black people in the south for demise of public transportation? LMAO

[ClassWarrior]

16. Check your individual state forums for a thread entitled...

...Progressive Pages. DancingBear and fudge stripe cookays are putting together a directory of Dem businesses to patronize and Radical RW businesses to avoid.

NGU.

[Radio-Active]

18. that blame will ring hollow!

They will have nobody to blame but themselves. CEO's don't blame boycotters when their stock is tanking.

I'm guessing the international community will boycott the US as well, if they're smart.

[amazona]

23. since the dollar is falling like a rock

I doubt the international community will boycott products they are going to be able to scoop up at a song.

[KayLaw]

19. I see it as endorsing Dem businesses

I've had to cut back on spending anyhow. I get my money from CD interest and had a lot more to spend under Clinton. I joined Costco yesterday and have already spent almost $500 for groceries alone. I intend to write or e-mail them and let them know just why I'm driving 20 minutes on a scary road to give them my money rather than my usual Publix.

[yardwork]

20. The Republicans blame us for everything anyway

No matter what we do they lie and misrepresent the truth.

Therefore, we should do what we really want to do. And I for one intend to stop buying Repuke products.

[cthrumatrix]

21. eff the repugs...who in the hell cares what they think...they care less

about you and your vote

[Sara Beverley]

24. Sorry, but the can't "blame" louder than we can!! This economy is all

Bush's now. If the boycotts negatively affect the economy Bush is still to blame for "being there."

Clinton had to take the blame for the stock market when Greenspan raised interest rates unnecessarily in the late 90's. That really burst the bubble.

[American Tragedy]

25. The biggest problem with it is the scope of such a boycott

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2629592#2631594

It would be extremely difficult.

[PretzelWarrior]

28. not really. the point is to evaluate purchases and be a miser w/$$

why? because number one it's good to be more frugal and not buy into the whole "shopping as self-worth" religion people have now.

second, the general shopping strike doesn't have to take down one business or another right away. it is the general depressing of the economic output that will be powerful.

as someone else pointed out, there are things we can do with money like PAY OFF CREDIT CARDS. or save for when inflation takes off and interest rates rise to combat it.

[harpo]

26. Self implode is a good thing

[Carolinian]

27. Boycotting will kill two birds with one stone.

We'll make a political statement and save money at the same time. I read a post recently in which a former Federal Reserve Chairman stated that there is a 75% liklihood of a major financial crisis in the US if the national debt isn't brought under control within 6 years. Well, we know that's not going to happen, so we'll be better prepared if we start being financially prudent now. Slowing it all down - smelling the roses, so to speak.