Forum Post: What do we think about a boycott? Before you answer, please read.
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 20, 2011, 1:28 p.m. EST by NtsikiBiko
(11)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
We appreciate the discussion, and we are listening.
In an attempt to move this forward we propose targeting Coca-Cola for the boycott in the month of December.
If you can help it don't spend at all, but if not buy anything but Coca-Cola. Their logo is on the label, it's that easy. Help us make a statement. Help us send this message.
The one thing people don’t seem to believe is the fact that we do have the power. This machine we are raging against is ourselves. We have the power to make them listen and we can do it by speaking the language of the 1%.
On December 1st we start. We will not spend money on anything except essential goods such as food. This police brutality is their only answer, but with a boycott, they are powerless.
This is a peaceful movement. This movement is for the people that can't stand out in the cold for hours no matter how much they want to. It’s for those of us that are too young or too old, those of us that feel like we aren’t doing enough.
This is so we don't have to see any more photos of 84 year old ladies being pepper sprayed. I know what we have all been told but we cannot do more damage than has already been done to this economy. If every person in the world stopped spending then sure, we would have a few problems, but we all know that is a far-fetched impossibility.
The opposition is saying that if we don't spend the economy will crash...but we have been spending for years, and we are still in the situation we are in. What say you to that? It's not that there is no money...it's that the money is in the hands of only a few. This goes beyond economics; it’s about greed and corruption. It’s about having it all and wanting more.
The boycott will send a message, nothing more. It will force their hand and make them take notice. The movement has already gotten worldwide attention. Image what hope it would bring to the minds of the people to see that ideologies we have had for years are being called into question. It’s about standing up and proclaiming that we don’t have to be sheep to the system, that we can take matters into our own hands.
It will prove that we are willing to sacrifice if it means a better future for ourselves and our children.
Society is completely consumer driven...ALL of the power lies with us. The 99. We need to continue to protest and do it in a way that the Few will understand.
Let's go to work, take our paychecks and....SAVE them! Let's not give them back the one thing that is driving this machine. Why spend our hard earned money to secure another year or 10 of hard times for us and great times for them? Let's end this now.
The power is ours. BOYCOTT DECEMBER.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-are-the-99-boycott/165799530182740?ref=tn_tnmn
A boycott that will actually have a real effect is a boycott of loan and monthly service agreement activities that is a consequence of a desire for convenience.
Boycott buying new cars on loans. Support a local mechanic and put money back into the community through repairing an old vehicle. Rob the banks of the profit from the interest on the fractional loans taken out to pay for new vehicles.
Boycott new construction homes based on a bubble economy. Support a local carpenter and put money back into the community through fixing a distressed property if you must mortgage a primary residence for you and/or your family.
For those starting up a new business, seek out private individuals for investment opportunities based on mutually agreed profit sharing with no interest involved that will put money back into the community. Don't rely on the convenience of corporate banks begging you to come take out fractional loans with interest.
Boycott any and all contract-based service agreements for entertainment and communication. Stop letting corporations tax your life for the sake of convenience and entertainment in the form of a cell phone/TV service monthly payment for the rest of your life.
Boycott any and all transactions that involve interest. That will be making the ultimate point to those whom need the flaws of their greed pointed out to them. Interest payments on investments as a means to counter inflation is a lie of our monetary system meant to enslave you. Inflation is caused by interest, and banks cease to earn a profit when you refuse services from them that require interest payments.
The longer we live within our means, the weaker the strangle hold on our lives becomes. Stop throwing away your freedom for the sake of funny money financial instruments used to fill your life with an illusion of convenience today for a cost paid tomorrow.
We've collectively been addicted to lives of entertained convenience and the jig is up. That doesn't mean we have to disregard all of the available technology used to help evolve society to make a point. The stand to take is against the imagined financial constructs that fleece money from you with no resource of value to backup their claim of hedged risk when loaning you money.
Boycott interest and fractionally loaned money for real change! Refuse to take part in the fraudulent unsecured credit system!
I agree with the posters who see a simple boycott as a way to get your neighbors laid off.... I advocate spending in a way that supports your neighbors, instead. Buy what you need from the stores, but try to really define the difference between "need" and "want". When you have a choice, use local supplies often available at farmers markets, local craft groups, or independent merchants rather than chains. You have morepower to influence the products carried by an independent merchant, as well. Instead of buying a new pan made in China, go to a thrift store that supports a local cause and buy a used one. The goal is not to drive people out of business, but rather to influence how they do business.
I'm with you on this however, in the end wouldn't that have the same affect?...if we stopped shopping at Wal-mart and went to thrift stores instead then Wal-mart employees would all those their jobs. Problem is there aren't enough small businesses to provide enough jobs. So stop shopping at Wal-mart forever will cause a lot of job loss.
Another thing, most people will not or can not make these changes. It's easier to ask people to just save their money than to go out of their way not to shop somewhere.
Again, it's not about causing a huge economic meltdown it's about making a statement. Just so it's known that we can make waves, we can ban together and if we need to, we can stop the machine.
You also have to think about this on a world level, it's no longer just about the United States, the entire world is watching, imagine the impact the citizens of the U.S. would make on the world for standing up against the one thing that everyone else sees as the most disgusting way of American life. Consumerism is killing us.
We are, as a group, facing hard choices and an uncomfortable time. I need milk, and the only place to buy from a local farmer is about 40 miles round trip. I cant do that, so I buy a brand that fits my ideology from a chain grocery store, and luckily, any milk choice is still supporting some american job. But i will not purchase anything made in china. I do go to thrift stores and it saves me a bundle and helps my own community. I got an entire new wardrobe for $105 from Goodwill. This included 5 pants, 16 shirts, 10 skirts, and two pairs of shoes. I got furniture and pans at garage sales, and I look for old cast iron made in the states. I have neighbors who sell fruit in season, as well as eggs, and just found a nearby farm that sells poultry. But, yes, there are still things i have to go to the store for, but I pay attention to how they treat their employees, and do my best to support the stores that are better employers. I have a locally owned independent hardware store. Most things are close enough in price that i can make up the difference in the gas i spend to travel ( it is closer). I usually dont buy used shoes, and we have very very little choice in finding american sneakers, so i pick my brand by corporate behavior, as well as how they fit and look. We can exercise power, but it does take effort to learn your options. I bought my last two blankets from local crafters, for example...one wool, one alpaca, and the quality will make them heirlooms, so i look at it as a long term investment.
I totally agree with boycott and we should have started long time ago!! My friends who are even not active with OWS and I have been talking about "NOT BUYING STUFF" except basic need in life. If nationally we can call to action not to "spend one penny" cash or credit card, even just ONE DAY, that will impact and send a strong determined message! Even one day, we call to action across the nation, to withdraw even a small sum (say $25) of money from the banks, we can impact them and the government. Not doing this, we had shit already. So why fear?
How bout simply NOT holding any funds in any bank, cash your check and walk out.
I say no.
Care to elaborate?
Ok. I say no to boycott.
Above is a well-considered proposal. I can only add that a non-specific boycott should involve the use of cash for necessary purchases and abstain from the use of credit cards. This will save both the purchaser and the retailer money, and suggest that one buy books for your children, and either food or sports club memberships for your friends as appropriate. These products will likely be of domestic origin.
It will result in mass layoffs, hurting the ones you represent. Better to occupy Washington and get in their faces.
We are already losing jobs, even though we spend. So should we sit back and watch the jobs go and not try anything to fight back? We all know Washington is owned by the 1% that will not change, the people that speak out either end up dead or rich.
Its about taking a stand, its not about harming the economy, no matter what anyone says, there will always be enough spending to keep the economy going.
I agree with your assessment that companies continue to shrink their payrolls regardless of what we do... It is a way to increase profit, and results in overworked employees, part-time jobs that have no benefits, and increased competition that allows employers to pay less for more work.
Targeting the worst offenders will set an example for the rest... Who would you put at the top of the boycott list?
BP from an environmental stand point. JPMorgan Chase. Coca Cola. Just to name a few. Oh yeah, Wal-Mart. We should target a few with options to shop other places, just to make a statement to those we target.
I agree with your choices, but would add Monsanto. It is necessary that they know they are being targeted, too. Like the protests at BOA. The protest signs should say "(some other store) treats employees better" or some statement that makes people consider their choice.
I really don't think it would make much of a difference. There is only a very small minority of the population willing to go without cell phones, cable tv, internet, nice cars, a night out to eat, new clothes, christmas gifts for the kids, etc..just to make a point. And the ones who are actually willing to do it are likely not spending that much on discretionary items to begin with, so the effect would be negligible.
Think about what the country would be like if Dr. King felt the same way. It's worth a try, even if you won't do it show your support for the people that will. If word gets out that people are doing this you never know the hearts and minds it might win over.
What happened to our dreamers?
I just think OWS would be more successful if they stuck to things the vast majority of Americans would support. Mainly campaign finance reform. Money in politics is the root cause of many of our problems. Citizens who identify themslevs as Republicans, Democrats, independents, Tea Party, or OWS can all agree on the need to get money out of politics.
Most Americans support the idea that businesses exist to make a profit. And our economy has not "crashed." It is likely the worst recession anyone under the age of about 40 has ever seen, but we have by no means crashed.
We can do both! The protesters probably aren't spending much anyway so as I said its about a chance for the people that are afraid, or busy, or older to be able to participate. There is no harm in making a statement.
Spend those OWS finances and bus everyone to Washington! Wouldn't you rather have out of work politicians than contributing members of society?
Haha...what a dream! But then who would we be giving money to? OIL!
I think you're right. The corporations need us to consume. If we boycott their products as much as possible then they will go running to their paid representatives in Government and tell them to give us, the people, what we want so that we will once again spend money. They need us more than we need them!