A New Idea: INSOURCING

[Th1onein]

After having given much thought to which companies I will give my money to, this holiday season, I have hit upon what I think might be a novel idea: Insourcing.

Our large corporations in America have used us, and thrown us away, giving our jobs to others in foreign countries, who do not earn a living wage. Instead of wracking our brains, trying to choose between evils, this Christmas season, why don't we just do the obvious thing, and take our market away from these guys? Just buy and sell from each other? A boycott is a one-sided phenomena, in that it hurts one entity, and has no balancing side to it, that also gives back to anyone.

Insourcing, like all good equations, is two-sided. It takes the benefit away from those who would abuse it, and gives a benefit to those who would not abuse it.

Why doesn't someone here set up a website, and a webring, for socially conscious Democrats to buy from each other? I'm not talking about a barter system, although you could do that, too. But you also have enough people here, and enough of a diversity in skills, that you could become almost self-sufficient from the corporations. All you need is a leader, and some people to step forward with some organizational skills.

[Deja Q]

1. At this point, I buy almost everything I can used.

DVDs, comptuer equipment, et al.

Can't buy new food and many types of clothing (hats, underwear, shoes) but I have bought other used items of clothing.

That was an awesome idea of yours; a webring...

[Ardee]

2. An idea that will spread

As the economy continues to deteriorate, as more and more of us, workers, retirees are squeezed dry the market for used goods will skyrocket..including dumpster diving!

[Th1onein]

4. Used goods are fine, but let's start buying SKILLS from EACH OTHER.

If you can buy it from a socially conscious DU member, then don't buy it anywhere else. You are taking your business away from those who have used you and abused you, and you are giving it to people who will further your cause. In this way, and at least in part, you become independent of the corporations.

You only need organization. We could set up a website, and have people post their "wares" on it. You want a new suit? Look for a person who will make it for you, on the website. Tax time? Hire a DU CPA to do your taxes this year. Do you need a website? Hire a webmaster from DU.

Conversely, you have a skill, or a product, to sell, post it to sell to the socially-conscious market.

THEY outsource our JOBS. WE INSOURCE our MARKET. It is the perfect "other side" to the equation. The beautiful thing about it is that jobs that can't be INSOURCED will still be here, in this country, anyway.

[Ardee]

8. This is a great notion

and one that, in certain parts of the country is already in place...Berkely, California for one, rural farm country has had such forever, though not so politically motivated..

[Cary]

3. Excellent idea Th1onein and here's a start

http://groups.msn.com/SociallyConsciousDemocrats

I've required approval to join because these MSN groups are easily over run by spammers otherwise.

If we get members with good suggestions we can tailor it. This is a quick and dirty right out of the box. The webring can come later too.

[Cary]

5. Already got our first member

Wow. Post ideas please.

[Th1onein]

6. God bless you! I believe that leaders ARISE out of the situation.

And you are, apparently, one.

I am not very computer-savvy.........This is a mailing list, right?

[Cary]

9. It is a message board and can be a mailing list

No big deal, really. Getting people there and participating is the real trick.

Post some ideas.

[Th1onein]

10. This is exciting!

I'm already looking into buying a website (from someone on DU, ONLY, of course).

The next step is getting our bulletin board/website linked to some Democratic forums, I guess.

I wonder if some would do this for us, and how to go about getting into touch with them, in order to ask them?

The idea is there, and it's certainly doable, next I think we need to look to, besides advertisement, some form of organization, don't you? And, to make it a self-sustaining, non-profit, entity. I don't mind paying for the construction and maintenance and hosting for the first few years, but after that, it should have some mechanism by which to stand on it's own, WITHOUT PROFIT, and without being dependent on any one individual.

[Willy Lee]

12. There is a web developer in the small business group-

You should contact them!

[Th1onein]

13. How would I go about doing that?

WHAT small business group? Do you have a link?

[PATRICK]

7. Christian Right has been doing this

very aggressively. Own TV channels, merchants, builders, banks, a whole sub culture. The farm coops preceded that.

Right now we have things like WorkingAssets.com or union credit cards or credit Union cards and services. Buy local and generic whenever. My home generics I notice are from Oregon(free state)). Buy used cars. Forgo all fads and expensive new tech. Get rid of stocks and go safe and invest in your trusted institutions like credit unions. Otherwise you'll be making larger profits on corporate fraud and blood money anyway, perpetuating your own destruction in the process. Some investment that!

Above all get your money out of the big private mainstream. You can't boycott everything but most of the bad guys are poison and junk like processed, fast food, anti-environmental luxuries, addictions like tobacco. Cut loose from utilities and go solar or wind from your own house. Throw out the TV. 300 channels of garbage.

As for the inner DU e-Bay system, that might be OK, but the big things would be probably something like what I listed.

Our knowledge base is always there. I'd hate to formally tinker with that volunteer vitality. not everyone has the time etc.

[Th1onein]

11. Oh, you don't want to harness that enormous energy?

By "formally tinkering" with it, like those who stand against us have done with some considerable degree of success?

I think that is a big mistake, quite frankly. I, for one, will do whatever is necessary, ethical, and legal to have Democratic ideals perpetuated and supported, in this world that we live in, and that includes copying the rightwing, where they are successful.

And, if it takes a little bit more time out of my busy life, then I must ask myself how better to use that time, to achieve my goal. To my mind, this is a very worthy, and probably successful, endeavor, and it is worth my time. If it does not seem to be worth your time, then do not participate. However, if you agree that our opponents have done just this with remarkable success, I would suggest to you that you do nothing to discourage this endeavor, either.