CNBC just showed report citing poll: 1 in 5 Europeans will now Boycott

[DuaneBidoux]

American Products. Analyst said that if this proves to be real it could have a major impact on American Corporations next year.

I have no link. Went on CNBC website but couldn't find link. 1 in 5 isn't enough. How can we help make it 5 in 5?

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Okay. Did the economic free market gurus take this into consideration?

Outsource jobs and dry up the American consumer base. And then, have our products boycotted overseas so foreigners won't buy them either?

Is this part of the free market model? Libertarians? Any one?

[goddess40]

4. BBC

I heard on BBC this morning that a poll of 8000 Europeans trusted the American public and distrusted the Bush Administration before the election. Now they distrust the American public, too. They also mentioned the boycott of American goods but gave no numbers on it. They expressed surprise about the boycott because with the dollar at such a low value American goods are cheap.

[NoSunWithoutShadow]

9. I too, heard on BBC TV this morning about the boycott.

And they mentioned three companies. I can only remember two of them;

American Airlines

AOL

Anyone else remember the third one?

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. You do realize that AOLers are ridiculed in the real internet?

You go on Usenet to the European social groups and AOLers are considered newbies, or people whose opinions are very provincial. Certainly no one with an AOL account is taken seriously in the heady newsgroups.

[NoSunWithoutShadow]

15. Yup.

[hlthe2b]

25. Sort of naive' in my opinion.... Many AOLers have it for one reason only:

they have a decades old email address floating out there around the world, and there is no way to forward a change in email address-- like one can do for months after changing a home phone number. Perhaps when there are cell phone directories and email directories that one can opt in (or out of), this will no longer be an issue.

And anyone who has had an email address for close to 20 years, is certainly no "NEWBIE."

[RebelOne]

39. That's why I have kept AOL

There is no way I could contact all those e-mail addresses. And I am sure as hell no newbie. I have probably been surfing the Web longer than most people on this board.

[DuaneBidoux]

89. But you do understand (I know because you are intelligent by fact that you

are on DU) that AOL is a MAJOR Repuke contributor. Just think about it. No criticism meant. I live with compromises too (MBNA gives me an unbelievable credit line so....)

[DuaneBidoux]

27. You mention European Social Groups and Usenet

I've been looking for some online communities in Europe similar to DU. Are you aware of where I could go to begin looking? Or are you aware of any online Europen communities?

[The Backlash Cometh]

46. The internet is real anarchy and chaos.

I don't really think that many of the soc.culture groups are pure anymore, except for the Irish one. They didn't get the kind of traffic that the british newsgroup received and so were able to shoo off the onslaught of cultures that cross-posted. (Including the Irish-American) I think it was fun from the mid to late 90s, but it's too cross-cultured to refer you to anyone.

[aneerkoinos]

59. Language barriers

All-European online communities won't come to existance before we all learn to communicate in Europanto.

Hey, how about DU non-English discussion groups (Spanish, French, Finnish, etc)? Might bring some donations from overseas too! :)

[DuaneBidoux]

73. Well I speak fluent French, and an amazing number of Germans will

communicate in English. Just hoping to try...

[The Backlash Cometh]

78. Then try soc.culture.france (or french)

From there ask them which newsgroup they recommend for someone who wants pure french culture.

For the british, try uk.rec.sheds or uk.misc I'm not sure about the latter.

[DuaneBidoux]

88. Was that BBC America or just BBC TV?

[Cheswick2.0]

20. They did trust us when bush seemed to be unelected

now that they think we actually elected the guy Europeans are right to wonder if we believe in unjust war and imperialism..... you know what? WE DO.

[FloridaPat]

2. Possibility that 1 in 5 don't even by American products now.

We don't really export that much except factories and jobs.

[DuaneBidoux]

5. Like I said, don't have that much information and was looking online

for link for more info. Ironically it could be the businesses that are symbolically American but owned locally (for example, I know McDonalds has made a comment about a "challenging" global environment). But, McDonalds are in general owned by some local entrepreneur so while McDonalds would suffer globally from someone boycotting local restaurants in Germany, the poor German entrepreneur who actually owns the restaurant will suffer too and probably more.

[aneerkoinos]

24. Bicmac and coke

loosing market means currywurst and pilsner sold at next stall are making better. Don't think that there are no local competitors to McDonalds, owned by locals, and that business in general gets hurt, on the opposite. So it is a good thing for us, capital (franchise payments etc.) staying home instead of flowing to America.

[Kellanved]

49. McDonalds is far too expensive

That is IMHO the main reason for the customers avoiding them.
You can get a high-quality Döner (far more popular than Currywurst), which is far more healthy and nourishing than a Big Mac, for €2.50 .
At McDonald's that doesn't get you anything.

[aneerkoinos]

58. Why I really abhor McDonalds

Is that the evil personified (have you ever taken a really good look at the monster?) Ronald McDonald is trying to steal the souls of our children.

[Dzimbowicz]

70. Döners beat McD's crap by a mile!!!

[el_gato]

67. that is the mistake of someone who invests in a McD franchise

they should know better

[DuaneBidoux]

74. You responded to my post-and I was just stating a fact

Doesn't mean I say it shouldn't happen.

[Spazito]

7. The boycott targets US goods produced by US corporations...

whether they are located in the US or elsewhere. It is not exports, it is US products, period.

[KansDem]

19. True...

20 years ago, I lived with a friend in Switzerland for several month (I was there during the Grenada invasion). I met many Swiss and was amazed at the lackadaisical attitude toward American products (I was brainwashed to believe that the entire world wants what Americans had!). They simply didn't care for American consumer goods.

Zürich had a fast-food restaurant patterned after Burger King/McDonald's. A few years earlier, it had been bombed as a warning to halt the intrusion of American influence into Swiss consumer culture.

But really, what does America offer that the Swiss/Europeans would want?

[DuaneBidoux]

28. Well, like or not to admit it: Hollywood. The $ numbers don't lie there.

[Skidmore]

3. This juggernaut will only be stopped by the consumer

and the worker. We need a farm-labor movement, like yesterday.

[MrUnderhill]

8. "Farm-Labor" sounds depressingly like...

a communist party?


I don't think that sells very well here.

[Skidmore]

14. The markete would not exist without the contributions of the

worker or the farmer, or their ability to function as consumers. Change the language. These industrial/corporate "leaders" build their wealth on the backs of these groups.

[peacetalksforall]

16. Farmer-Labor = Democratic Party in Minnesota.

[MrUnderhill]

17. Yep. And the DFL provides some of our most liberal candidates

I'm just saying the LABEL might not sell very well nationwide.

[northernsoul]

38. yep, America hates farmers and people who work for a living

</sarcasm>

well, actually based on this past election, apparently they do. I wonder how all those sugar beet farmers in the Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming who voted for B*sh are gonna feel when they ram CAFTA through and they'll be lucky to be able to get a few pennies for their crop.

[Cheswick2.0]

18. Where doesn't it sell... here in Jesus land?

Fascist america?
You have something against farms and labor?

[northernsoul]

36. hey, come to Minnesota where the DFL kicks ass!

DFL as in "Democratic Farmer Labor" party, and it sells just fine up here in Wellstone Country.
We just picked off 13 republican seats in the state legislature, and our Puke Governor is in the crosshairs for 2006.

:kick:

[Skidmore]

47. I know, ya'll need to export some of that magic to other states.

Can you folks do some seminars or forums? Start in Iowa.

[underseasurveyor]

82. Yes- Please n/t

[Cats Against Frist]

86. yes please, also! :)

[Cats Against Frist]

85. Eh? It's libertarian!

It's not coersed at all, as long as they only manipulate their own stakes, and don't use government to punish the large megalopolies. This is the crux of libertarianism, my friends -- the educated consumer and the descriminating laborer. It's what they don't tell you in Right-Wing-Libertarian-Mind-Control-We're-Really-Just-Republicans-Who-Don't-Like-Taxes School.

Collectivism isn't state socialism -- the "left-wing bogeyman" of Republican nightmare. They should be in favor of non-coersed collectivism if true liberty is their real goal, unless, ahem, their motives aren't pure.

[Verve]

6. Maybe there should be a new sticker on products from companies

that didn't support chimp!

Please buy. This is a "BUSH FREE" product!

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. Bush Free product.

Good idea.

[goclark]

13. Remember that clothing company

that said something like," We don't support Bush."
I think it was t -shirts

[PsN2Wind]

12. I'm an American

and will not boycott American made products. However as someone that has for years attempted to find an American manufacturer of the products I do buy, I will no longer put in that effort. The people have spoken and I just no longer care enough for their wellbeing to try and protect their jobs . In short, "Fuck Em"

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

21. Agreed

It may well be that we have to have it "darkest before the dawn".

[DuaneBidoux]

90. My wife and I have actively been seeking out products made in

countries that are NOT a part of the Coalition of the Bought and Bribed. Germany, France, (and now Spain), etc. And I do have to say, I don't cry anymore when we don't or can't buy American.

In North Carolina last year we tried to buy a dining room set made in US. Couldn't find one in ANY retail store in Raleigh. So finally my wife and I did an Internet search and found a little company in West Virginia that made custom dining rooms sets. $7000 grand we paid-great craftsmenship and quality. I asked the owner if it had helped his company? He said that seven men, supporting families, worked for one week to build our table. It felt good then. But W. Virginia just voted more destruction. How long can I go out of my way to fight it off? Fuck W. Virginia. I give up.

Incidently, in case you haven't guessed from the above story, we are well off...and we still give a damn about more than our own bank accounts. Du'ers must always watch this aspect. There are people with money that do have integrity. I feel Du'ers have failed to find and make alliances with them.

[hlthe2b]

22. I'm amazed at some of the DU reactions....

I empathize with Europeans, who, like many DUers feel they NEED to send a message to the Bushies*. But, as one who has looked at what I might do--especially REPUG owned business, I can't get past the pain I would be extended to the workers. There is no such thing as a "surgical" boycott, just as "surgical" military strike is such a misnomer. I no more want to hurt the average low-middle wage American worker, than (I suspect) do the Europeans. But, at some point one runs out of options to try to impact policy.

Case in point....The devastating effects of biased media is so overwhelming, that cutting off cable and notifying these companies and their sponsors, is probably still worthwhile, IMO. But, I am acutely aware that there are many "little guys," impacted by this decision, when such action reaches a "critical mass."

I don't have an answer, but any action I take will have to weigh the severity of the impact on the worker, with the seriousness of the "offense," by the companie(s)or likelihood of effecting some change from the boycott (or my own ethical threshold, I suppose).

[aneerkoinos]

26. How to help fellow Americans

increasingly slaved by Corporate Fascism, because they are fucked no matter what consumer choises you do between Murikan and furuner corporate stuff?

In a word, cooperatives. Community based egalitarian approach that has been tried out before numerous times, numerous ways, proven to work in people's best interest, liberating in so many ways. Educate yourself about coops, get on the job. Where's that famous American entrepreneurial spirit, why not put it in service of social responsibility?

[hlthe2b]

32. Coops are useful.... We used to have a natural foods coop in my previous

home residence-- the only one I am associated with now, is REI.

[DuaneBidoux]

30. But remember, it was these low paid workers who voted overwhelmingly for

Shrub. How long should you try to protect them from the policies they are voting to have implemented? Polls show that in general it was educated people plus minorities that voted for Kerry.

Why should you protect people that have no interest in protecting themselves? There has to develop an understanding among these people of the impacts of their votes on their own lives. I simply no longer believe this can happen without significant pain.

The analogy I would use is a cancer patient. You need to get rid of a tumor. Unfortunately we don't have an easy way just to "kill" the tumor so we start Chemotherapy, which in essence kills the patient too. We just have to hope that it kills the tumor a little faster than the patient, and then once the tumor is gone and we have a patient clinging to life, we work on bringing the patient back to health. I think this is what we now face. We may have no way of ridding the tumor without making the entire patient ill.

[hlthe2b]

31. more than 49% of voters did NOT VOTE for Bush-- You can't assume

you are only hurting "Bush voters." Do you not know of any low wage workers who voted for Kerry? Ahhemm... Many minorities hold these low wage jobs as well.

[DuaneBidoux]

41. I agree...but you cannot protect Americans selectively for the choices

they have made COLLECTIVELY. I return to the analogy of the cancer patient. IF by some miracle we have a booming 4 years in the economy then pay attention: for progressives it is game set and match. It is fucking FINISHED.

A party in power during good economic times always picks up seats so the most likely scenario in a booming economy is House and Senate picks up Republican seats in two years. Picks up more seats in 08, and picks up another Republican presidency. THIS IS the most likely scenario if economy does well. Then what are the consequences?

No veto power by Dems for extremist judges. Why would this be game set and match? Study how FDR packed the courts for 16 years. He stacked and stacked and stacked with judges that would support his reforms. Some of those judges lasted clear through the 80s. So, even when Republicans gained control of House, Senate and Executive (Eisenhower) and Republicans tried to pass laws rolling back the agenda of FDR courts simply found the laws unconstitutional.

If the courts get stacked the other way it is 40 years of FDR in reverse, and it won't matter how many Progressives and/or Dems are elected. The laws they pass will be ruled unconstitutional. Backward backward backward...and NOTHING left to stop it.

I'm sorry for the poor and good that would be hurt. But it is time for Chemotherapy.

[hughee99]

93. In promoting this

you would be hurting both the * voter and loyal Dem, who work for these corporations. If our politicians follow the lead, in the next election, they will be painted as people who care more about their political power than the worker. If someone is supporting policies that hurt the US economy just to build up a critical mass for change, it's going to be tough to do a 180 later on and claim that that persons policies will help the economy.

I don't think the cancer analogy is all that good either. May patients who undergo Chemotherapy are not cured, and may continue to have their health deteriorate until death. Creating one big problem in hopes that it fixes another will not be an easy sell, and will absolutely cost us votes in the next election. It will be little consolation to those who lose their jobs that the politician they dislike was voted out of office. It will be even worse if their own candidate loses because he is seen as being responsible for someone losing their job.

[fujiyama]

33. The average American worker

doesn't give a shit about their own financial situation and even if they do, what indication is there that they don't support the ridiculous unjust war and imperialism??

Boycotting American goods is a great (and one of the more effective) non violent way to show displeasure with the direction of the US. I completely encourage them to do this.

Not only that, but American have already boycotted France to some extent (atleast with regards to tourism). Why shouldn't they be able to retaliate?

[NJCher]

23. hmmmm, if this gets popular

And a lot of people are doing it, won't the leaders of countries across the world get the idea that kicking around Americans is the road to votes and popularity?


Cher

[From the south]

29. Why would anyone on this board be in favor of something that hurts the US

I understand your frustration with Bush..... But all of us (people who live in the US) will be harmed by this. Why would you cheer?

Do you hate this country?

[hlthe2b]

34. At the risk of trying to explain probable mixed reactions...I think

many believe that at this point, only the most significant wakeup call (which will hurt all of us) will change things.... They may be right. But, sadly, the pain is going to be intense in this "experimental" treatment.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[From the south]

40. Yes my post count is low

Most of my posts have been regarding how my perspective as a southern Democrat differs from the views here on this board...

I have been a long time reader of posts but didn't bother joining until I saw a real ramp up in the rhetoric directed at people in the south.

Regarding the Franken comment... the truth is...whether she is right or wrong she still is your mommy. It doesn't matter whether you are 4 or 40... you only have one mother.

The truth is I am unabashedly an american first...without nuance.

I too believe in civility and intellectual reciprocity... I believe your views have merit... with that said; you hold my views as naive

[DuaneBidoux]

65. But mommies do beat up and kill their children

I think one's attitude on this is a function of how dangerous he/she perceives the times. I feel my mommie is beating me up. I'm going to fight back. I will never be a "My country right or wrong." My country is not a place: it is an ideal. When it breaks those ideals I rebel and fight for my America. You have a right to your opinion. But do some serious reading on Christian Reconstructionist movement and some very serious reading on who is actually running Bush. My feeling is that we are on the verge of fascism. At that point it is my country wrong-and I will fight in ways I can to make it my country right.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

71. Agreed...I will not enable this dysfunctional relationship

Every oppositional, defiant bone in my body will fight against the total take-over of this country's ideals.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

42. We deserve a time-out for being bullies...

After the way we've treated the rest of the world and their opinions, yes, I do believe the US needs to pay a price.

I'm in a blue state but am willing to suffer with the reds in order to achieve a greater good. I think Europe and the rest of the world have every right to be angry. At least they boycott instead of bomb.

[From the south]

44. I guess its the cheering that bothers me

I am not disputing peoples right to boycott the US.... its the cheering from US citizens that bothers me..... why? Yes we may have to endure a boycott...and it may be deserved...

But to wish ill on our own country? I don't harbor hopes that bad things happen to people I hate.

[sendero]

52. This is really simple to understand....

1) natural consequences. people have to accept the natural consequences of their actions. Americans are asleep at the switch, and that is the most charitable characterization I can come up with. I am done with trying to help people who are too intellectually lazy and easily manipulated to be helped. This is what Americans want, this is what they get. I'm tired of being called a "whiny liberal" because I care about the little guy. I don't care any more. The little guy is about to get fucked and he brought it on himself. Natural consequences, that is how I teach my kids and it's now how this country is going to learn a hard collective lesson.

2) The sooner Americans wake up to the lies and bullshit, the better. You think is it better to drag this out for decades apparently, I don't. The damage may well be irreparable if this style of government lasts very long. They want their armegeddon, I want them to find out it isn't going to be what they think.

You think I like the direction we are going? You think I wanted this? No, I worked against it but I was overruled. At this point, I know where we are going and the sooner we get there the sooner we can make repairs, because in this country as in any company - a problem is not addressed until it is a crisis that nobody can spin away.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

56. Well said!!

These are the consequences for our country's bad behavior.

If Europe et al keep rewarding us, we will never learn. We are a young, immature country...a toddler really, in the grand world stage and need to be treated accordingly.

[Cats Against Frist]

87. VERY well said, thanks.

[Carolina]

57. good point: boycott instead of bomb

and welcome to DU.

I'm blue in a red state and hate to confess that, aside from my immediate family, I simply don't care anymore. Anything that hurts the reds in red AND blue states is fine with me.

We're all gonna suffer anyway because of * ... and the potential greater good is that maybe the red non-thinkers will learn something!

[Cheswick2.0]

43. You caught us

we all hate this country here at DU. </sarcasm>

[katsy]

45. here's some of the why.

I was asking the very same question when the bozos in congress renamed french fries (remember freedom fries), and a movement was started online to boycott all french products. The morons in congress were actually paid by taxpayer $$$ to rename foods.

We set the example. Live with it. Live through it. It's a fair response by Europeans. After all, the rabid right wingers set the example... made the rules... exercised their muscle against European products. SO BE IT.

I don't hate this country. I hate all politicians (yes, all of them) for representing corporate interests above the interest of their constituents. So goody goody Europe! In the infamous words of the chimp... BRING IT ON!

In my opinion... the Europeans can't possible hurt us. We've already been enviscerated by the chimp's fiscal policies. I hope the European movement takes hold and grows strong AND my family has joined in by boycotting companies like Wal-Mart (which we never been in one anyway), Home Depot, Sears, Target, Penney's, Circuit City, Coke/Pepsi and all fast food bar none, Walgreens etc etc etc. Oh, and NO GE bulbs anymore... any bulbs but GE. Can't give up aol YET but have been "communicating" our displeasure.

Europeans have every right to spend their money where they choose. Kudos to them. I hope they are boycotting some of the same companies my family is.

If your concern is for the people of this country, to what lengths do you go to seek out products made in America? Do you buy them even if the products cost a little more? If your concern is for Americans, where is your outrage at the chimp's discretionery war in Iraq with taxpayer dollars? If your concern is for Americans, where is your outrage at the chimp's intention to expand alien work visas? Americans must not need the jobs so why would the European boycott hurt? If your concern is for Americans, where is your outrage at spending taxpayer money to clothe, feed, educate and provide health care for ILLEGAL aliens? That is something you can blame both parties for. Democrats or republicans... our representatives are masters at picking our pockets. HOW IN THE FACE OF ALL THIS CAN ANYONE BLAME A EUROPEAN BOYCOTT?

[From the south]

48. Thank you for a cogent answer

I agree that Europeans have every right to spend their money however they feel they should.

I just don't understand why some people on this are so happy about it.

To answer your question...yes I go out of my way to buy american...even if it costs a little more

[maxsolomon]

50. WHAT american products?

like refrigerators or cars or something? the euros already don't buy those - the design is generally loud, vulgar & cheap looking - look at maytag washers & dryers, with their pointless "streamlining" vs. asko or bosch.

and our food products? please! unless you're talking about humboldt fog goat cheese or the like, they have no use for velveeta & wonderbread.

[lebkuchen]

53. coca cola, for example?

It bottles much of the mineral water and apfelsaft shorles in .75 liter plastic bottles, frequently sold in bakeries. You have to read the fine print on many "German" products.

[MominTN]

51. Maybe Europe should pay back their debts first

With our growing deficit, maybe it's time to let the world know we expect their debts to be paid back to our government. No more free rides. We also should stop paying for the research in healthcare and techonology, etc., while they get socialized medicine with the same treatments and medication, and they illegally copy our patented products in Japan and China. If anyone should boycott, it should be every American citizen should refuse to buy these foreign copies. Also we should refuse to pay taxes to our government who doesn't count our votes. So how can we do this? Someone needs to put together a website on what products to buy that supports the American worker and where to find these products. We should also take action to cut back on gasoline consumption, use public transportation, car pool etc., which reduces profits for oil and gasoline tax. A deal could be made with US auto mfgs to buy American cars that have good mpg or hybrid. We need to put our $ to work.
I do know Europeans used to want American-made jeans. I do not know if this is still true. We should label every one of them USA and let them go naked.

[Cheswick2.0]

60. are you kidding.... we are a bigger debtor nation than most of Europe

you can't rationalize our way out of this problem. The world used to think we were a good people with a bad leader. Now that we have reelected him, they think we are bad too.
They don't want to be blown up or occupied. It is as simple as that.

[katsy]

61. Clear this up...

WHAT are you talking about? What US autos? What US made jeans? What foreign copies of what? Who's illegally copied patented products? Isn't that up to the "victim" corporation to litigate (if they can)? We're giving THEM a free ride? With what? Who's borrowing from whom?

Who's financing our deficit? The same people you say are stealing patents? Well, who's going to bite the hand that feeds them?

[DuaneBidoux]

62. You're Crazy! We owe the world a thousand times more than they owe us

Ever heard of a thing called Trade Deficit? Now running 6% of GDP? This essentially means that every year we live at 106% of what we can afford and THEY lend us the money (the 6% to do so) When the government finances a 460 Billion dollar budget deficit who do you think is lending them all that money?

You need to do some serious calculating-America has been getting a free ride on the back of the world for 20 years (with one exception, which is the UN).

You need some serious facts straightening.

[aneerkoinos]

64. Hmm

"With our growing deficit, maybe it's time to let the world know we expect their debts to be paid back to our government. No more free rides. We also should stop paying for the research in healthcare and techonology, etc., while they get socialized medicine with the same treatments and medication, and they illegally copy our patented products in Japan and China."

What a stinking pile of BS you have eaten. No gag reflex?

[DuaneBidoux]

66. Also just for historic curiosities sake

US NEVER paid France back for all the money they lent us to fight the Brits. In fact, the French King lent America so much money to fight the Brits that they had hyper inflation, it ruined their economy, and the King literally lost his head over the results. Since the French had executed their government however I guess we felt we didn't have to pay it back.

Yes I'm glossing the details: but that is in essence the story. This might be a Freeper not used to actually dealing with facts.

[DuaneBidoux]

72. For a few facts read this link

According to Stephen Roach Chief Economist of Morgan Stanley, the US is borrowing 80% OF ALL AVAILABLE GLOBAL SAVINGS. InFuckingCredible.

<http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=55356>

[Forkboy]

75. This coming from someone who "respects" what Coulter and Malkin

have to say.

[Bridget Burke]

76. What debts?

I believe our status as a debtor nation has been fully explained to you by previous posts.

Research? Go to a library that has a good selection of scientific journals--medical, etc. Note the authors & their institutional affiliations. I'm sure you'll see that quite a bit of research is done outside the USA.

Levis aren't made here any more.

[evilqueen]

77. jeans...

There are no more US-made jeans.

Levi-Strauss closed the last of their North American plants within the last year.

[Kellanved]

81. somehow I don't see your point

Do you think the research is entirely US funded? hardly. Nor does anyone get "free rides"; bigger buyers get better conditions; economy 101.
Foreign copies? Tell Homeland Security; they'll stop any merchant from selling pirated merchandise (honestly).

Your "free rides" allegations are strange indeed; I do not want to know on what materials you're basing these claims, although I'm quite sure that it is neither a respected scientific nor a good press outlet.

You do know that the American Economy is Import-Dependant, it's main export is entertainment; should Europe and Asia stop pumping money into it; well, let's say it wouldn't be pretty.

[Zorra]

54. Buy American from responsible Dem/Progressive businesses! Info here:

DU Economic Activism Forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=255

[okieinpain]

55. well if they do a total boycott, we will all be looking for a job.

and the chimp will still be president.

[DuaneBidoux]

63. I won't be looking for a job-I'll have a new one: Revolutionary

[aneerkoinos]

69. !!! n/t

[katsy]

68. FWIW... website showing top $$$ donations

http://www.opensecrets.org/overview/topcontribs.asp?cycle=2004

[DuaneBidoux]

84. Great site: thanks a bunch

Very easy to use. The one surprise I had was Microsoft. I thought Bill Gates is strongly Repuke. Perhaps there is a separation there between Bill Gates and what the employees give?

[ieoeja]

91. Why would National Beer Wholesalers be Republican?

You ever seen a dry county or city that wasn't uber rightwing? Was it not Reagan who forced states to raise the drinking age to 21? Can they not look at this same list and see that the insurance industry, the same insurance industry that uses M.A.D.D. as a front, is also giving heavily to the Republican Party, for the very good reason that Republicans have done their bidding?

[PsN2Wind]

92. John McCain's wife's father

owns Hensley distributing, second largest Anheuser-Busch distributor in the country. That could have some affect. Good ol' boy ya know.

[leesa]

79. Remember that Bush's published offical state plan was to reserve the

right to preemptively attack any country attempting to instigate economic boycotts. They do not have the military to do so, unless they are intent on nuking the world (don't put that past these lunatics), but that was the published official national plan published in 2002.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

80. Are you serious?

[DuaneBidoux]

83. Okay, that would be my limit to cross into violence

(yes, I know homeland security is trolling.) I refuse to believe Bush would bomb to end boycotts (real smart, kill the people with the money to buy your products instead of trying to understand WHY they hate you and fixing it.)

But I will tell you now: look around and try to deny that there are some incredibly nasty things beginning to unwind.