Forum Post: Occupy MALL Street and Change Corporate America
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 15, 2011, 9:56 p.m. EST by Rico
(3027)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Instead of forming large mobs, disperse the multitude of OWS supporters to the shopping malls of America. Post four or five at each carrying signs that say "Occupy Jobs, Buy American." Give each a list of American made products and what stores carry them in the mall.
Corporations respond to profit. If we can move even 10% of their holiday sales to products made in America, they will make DAMN sure to put more on the shelves.
What I'm advocating is that OWS try to teach America to consider the SOCIAL cost (jobs, living wage, etc) of the products they buy rather than just the lowest sticker price. See my post at http://occupywallst.org/forum/the-power-of-the-people/
Our removal from parks is not the end, it is only the predictable end of the beginning. It's time to deploy a mid-game strategy that shows the power of the people to change corporate America.
This is an excellent way to achieve realistic, positive changes. I think the protests have successfully brought awareness to OWS, but nothing productive has resulted. Yet, millions of dollars in taxpayers money are being used to deal with the protestors around the country. Some of the more radical suggestions I've seen proposed on this forum will never gain enough support to do accomplish anything substantial, and I can tell you that most individuals I talk to who are in the 99% are not in support of this movement, especially considering all of the negative publicity. It's time to do something that can actually work and that will help gain increased support for OWS.
Actually thanks to OWS they have created new jobs. Join the NYPD.
OWS has opened the worldview to a lot of problems in the USA. I had no idea how the federal reserve worked until OWS came along. I never knew about the bullshit of Monsanto and Transcanada and many other bullshit corps. OWS has accomplished a lot. Now the PEOPLE of America need to act on these issues. 10 thousand people near Wall Street isn't enough to take out corruption. When EVERYONE is aware, the solution will present itself. There are bills being created by the few non-corrupt members of congress, yes there are a few. They're the guys who voted against the Patriot Act and the Iraq war. They're the few that act in the best interest of their people and not their financiers.
Currently a bill that ends the privatized debt based monetary system and nationalizes the federal reserve and ends inflation has been drafted and is under review in the Financial Services and Credit Committee. The bill is called The National Emergency Employment Defense Act of 2011.
These bills usually fail because MOST people are not aware of the REAL problems in our country thanks to distorted and spun news.
OWS has spread a message to the world. That is their purpose. Now it's time for the world to act. This is a process that will take time. No major change happened over night. How many years do you think it took NASA before they sent a man to space?
I've already started at the personal level on another front... I'm compiling my "Christmas Gift List" full of nothing but American made products, and I will request all my family members and friends do the same when I send mine out. We're going to have a Christmas MADE IN THE USA this year !
Imagine how many family members and friends there are in the network of people surrounding the OWS protesters. Expand that to include their social media networks. Combine this with outreach to the rest of America with polite OWS'ers at the malls changing our image from "complainers" to "working for American jobs."
Most American's KNOW they buy too many foreign goods, and each of them feels a bit guilty when doing so. It won't take much to prod them into doing the right thing. Every little purchase becomes a small "protest" against outsourcing, and nobody needs to do anything 'radical.'
Swaying 10% of holiday sales? thats nuts. the average spending on consumer goods durring the holiday season is around $107 per person... times the 312 Mill living in America... 10% is a lot, and definitely not with in the realm of possibility for a movement the size of "occupy mall street" to change.
Oh heck, I pulled the 10% out of my tail end, an now someone's called me on it ! ;o)
I have no idea how much impact we could have, but we have a LOT of people around the country, and they would really only need to hit the mega-malls.
In addition. OWS members are DAMNED good at social media. How much change could we effect by sending this message out on all our networks ?
I think a lot of Americans would try to help us. Everyone knows we've been sending our jobs overseas and buying American is a good protest move that ANYONE can make without having to joining a mob downtown or do anything 'radical.'
I think we could have an impact of sufficient size to make a difference. Heck, maybe 20% ! (just kidding, I truly have no idea ;o)
OCCUPY THE WASHINGTON MALL (can we make it a weekend though)?so the working poor can come?
See my new post for Christmas Shopping consistent with OWS beliefs at http://occupywallst.org/forum/ows-please-support-the-american-worker/
Nice play on words. It wouldn't hurt to protest there, but I think we can change corporate America faster via their pocketbooks than by lobbying the politicians they elect. I'm asking OWS to change America by rallying all Americans to make a million little protests every day in their choices of what they buy. They don't have to do anything 'radical' to join the 'movement' and they KNOW they shouldn't be buying so many foreign products. I think they're join us.
ows has not in the past taken productive actions. there are ways to abandon corporate America. prosper.com and credit unions and co-ops instead of banks. give up smart phones, lap tops and computers. the profits from those items are the fuel for corporate America. Back to communes and to the land!
See my new post for Christmas Shopping consistent with OWS beliefs at http://occupywallst.org/forum/ows-please-support-the-american-worker/
Sure, but the actions I propose are ones that everyday Americans can participate in without having to do anything 'radical.' I am asking OWS to move America, not the cloned politicians. Hit 'em in the only place they understand... profit.
By the way, I AM a despicable capitalist lender on Prosper.com ;o)
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Occupy ChinaMart!
That would be a good place to start ;o) No obstruction, no violence, nothing to cause trouble... just REMIND the people going in that they are selling American jobs and EDUCATE them as to available alternatives.