January 20th: Don't Go To Work! Please consider.

[RabidNation]

Dear DUers: I'm comparatively new on this site, so it might be early to be asking for your help, but I am. Please bear with me.

Some of us here in Detroit are trying to start an initiative asking people not only not to buy anything, but to completely withdraw from economic activity on the day of Bush's Inauguration. (see details at www.black-thursday.com). This means not going to work.

They don't only gain money and power from what we buy; they get it from our labor. And while Bush and company yuck it up at their $40 million galas, paid for from the proceeds of your income taxes, lots of us will still be living a paycheck away from economic oblivion. The only language republicans understand is money - and it's the only language we can use in order to make them hear us.

So the idea is: Don't go to work, don't buy stuff. But most importantly: Use that time to let people in office and in the media know what you've done and why. Take an hour from your day to write to your newspaper, your congressperson, and to call in to a talk radio show to let them know that for this one day, you decided to be a nonproductive member of Bush's society of the privileged and powerful.

I would appreciate it if those of you who like this idea would share it with others, via emails or blog links.

Many thanks for your consideration,
David

OH, BTW: For those who like the flyer, it's downloadable from the black-thursday.com site here: http://www.black-thursday.com/thursdayflyer.pdf

[Bouncy Ball]

1. Count me in!

SICK DAY!

[koopie57]

2. I took the day off

said I needed to get loopy that day.

[quiet.american]

3. Great flyer

Well, I already have Jan. 19th off, wouldn't be much of a problem to attach Jan. 20th to it, too (although I actually work for a non-profit organization so refreshingly liberal they make MoveOn look conservative.)

Anyway, I'm with you.

[Pam-Moby]

4. I am with you, no work and will buy nothing.....n/t

[RabidNation]

Thank you, everybody.

Thanks, very much. The only thing that gives me hope in America anymore is that there are people who've never met each other, but who are nonetheless willing to support each others' efforts to try and make this society more sane and liveable...

best to all.
David

[Zinfandel]

11. One has to try and doing something instead of nothing.

[auntAgonist]

5. Welcome to DU !!!

The idea is great, I'll see what I can do. I work in Ann Arbor.


Great Flyer!

[RabidNation]

10. thanks, it's good to be here.

glad you like the flyer. My GF lives in A2, and I'm gonna be out there flyering your telephone poles soon. :)

[WillowTree]

6. One little correction

"....while Bush and company yuck it up at their $40 million galas, paid for from the proceeds of your income taxes...."

Just for the sake of accuracy, the inaugural celebrations are paid for with private contributions, not tax dollars.

Other than that, I hear ya. 'Cept that I work from home so maybe I'll just have to go to the library for the day.

[RabidNation]

7. I see your point...

...but although there's a nice little mask of "private contributions" covering the galas (as well as lots of other campaign/political activities in the Bush Corporation Administration) I don't think it's at all true that these are actually privately funded. Basically, there are quid pro quos involved: Corporation X ponies up $$$ for a "contribution," and whaddya know...they suddenly get a tax break or a contract for that amount plus some.

Check out what was going on with the "contributions" from some of the gambling casino owners to see how that works...

[WillowTree]

9. Maybe, but...

.....those tax breaks don't happen without the cooperation, or at least the acquiescence, of Democrats. Individual items might bet bundled with and buried in other legislation, but the fact is that tax codes have to be passed by Congress. That's another whole system that's in dire need of a major overhaul.

[buddysmellgood]

8. I'm in. I thought it would be a good idea to use as little power as well.

[buddhamama]

12. Welcome to DU, RabidNation

Great idea! You can count me in- no work nor shopping=activism.

I plan to be in the streets protesting.

[GOPBasher]

13. I'll do it. And welcome to DU, RabidNation!

:hi:

[trogdor]

14. Apparently, government employees have the day off.

I just got word yesterday that our office is closed (we're part of the military-industrial complex) Jan. 20th because Fed employees are observing this as a holiday.

IIRC, I was in the Army on Jan. 20th, 1997, which fell on a weekday, and we did NOT receive that particular day off. Anybody's memory better than mine?

Update: FWIW, I don't see any good reason why we should take off work on 1/20. I think it send the wrong message entirely because some people are observing it as a holiday. Rather, it should be business as usual, except that we stay the hell out of the stores.

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Welcome to DU

------------------------------------------------------
Election reform can help save this country!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[CAN_for_Kerry]

16. great idea!!

[peacebird]

17. LOVE the poster. Count me in!

though again I say - I will not spend one RED cent the entire week of the coronation. What would happen if all of us simply called in "sick" for the week?

it would not be a lie - as I AM absolutely sick over the state of affairs in america.

what do you think?