Politics Schmolitics. We have more power as Consumers.

[rucky]

Every dollar we spend is a vote. As consumers we have more power than politicians to create change:

We can keep jobs in America by buying American. We can protect the environment by buying eco-friendly products (and consuming less in general). Our government can use all the carrots & sticks they want, but it's not going to mean anything as long as there's a profit-making incentive to keep doing what they're doing.

Consumer boycotts forced Proctor & Gamble to stop animal testing.
Consumer awareness has brought major changes to McDonalds.
TV programs get pulled when advertisers pull out. Advertisers pull out when they fear it will effect consumer behavior. So far, no letter-writing campaign (i.e. Kucinich vs. ABC News) has influenced the media one bit.

Organizations like adbusters www.adbusters.org have more potential for real change than any political organization. Of course we need both, but I'm beginning to wonder if my energies are better spent being involved in consumer movements - as opposed to all of the effort, money & letter-writing I do in order to just get ignored by my representatives. Sure it makes me feel better to do those things, but it's in the backs of all our minds we know that even our vote may not count anymore.

If money is behind all of the crappy things going on in the country today, it's time to hitting them where they'll hurt the most... their pocketbooks.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Yesterday I found made in USA

clothign here is the problem... they are not sold at stores

Oh well will shop through the net

But this is a very serious problem, sicne they are not at shops... most consumers are reduced to buying what is ON THE RACK, made in China.

By the way, the store is Union, or rather are union

[LifeDuringWartime]

8. find a headshop

that sells clothes. might find some locally handmade stuff. or go to a music festival. bound to find some there.

much more expensive than the usual made in asia stuff however

[Deja Q]

2. In other words

We're powerless.

People will not stop buying, well, everything because well, everything, is made outside the US.

It's a bit late to boycott like this.

We need other methods...

[rucky]

3. Have you visited adbusters?

They ARE doing something totally different - and it's getting to the root of the problem, which is essentially the media's "taming" of the consumer.

[Hamlette]

4. you are exactly right

I have screamed for years "buy local." The dollars you spend stay in your community to employ people who pay taxes and consume what you produce. I know Walmart employs locals in their stores but the higher paying jobs are not in your community (accountants, lawyers, CEOs etc.)

I didn't boycott Christmas but I did not buy one thing from a chain. Haven't for about 8 years.

Chain book stores are the most evil. Buying from a chain hurts the local independents and because chains get bigger discounts by buying in bulk, someday only the books that the chains think will sell in huge quantities will be available. Many small publishing houses were forced out of business with the coming of the chains.

If you must, know the politics of the chain. Lowe's hardware contributes to dems, Home Depot to the GOP. Drive the extra mile.

If you don't think you can make a difference remember what Bush told us to do after 9-11. Go to the mall. (This REALLY drives me crazy.) The buying power of the American people might be the last good weapon we have left.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

5. If dollars are votes, some people are more equal than others

The only problem with "voting with your dollar" is that while most of us get a few "dollar voters" the rich people can out vote us everytime. I believe in "one person, one vote" not "one dollar, one vote."

That being said, yes, boycott ALL anti-American companies (starting with Communist Walmart and the other Sweatshop Corporations).

[rucky]

6. then why do companies spend so much $$$ telling us what to buy?

Even though they have 60% of the wealth, the wealthiest 10% are still only 10% of the population. hardly the world domination that corporations are shooting for.

[K8-EEE]

7. I Totally Agree!!

That's why I wont by any Kraft foods -- their parent co. is one of GWBs biggest supporters, why the hell do I want to give them any money?

Also, although I still go to Costco once a month, I am trying to spend more money on a day to day basis on community business rather than corp owned. From coffee to newsstands to produce stores, whatever -- and FUCK WALMART! At least Costo provides good pay and benefits to their employees.