Since our representatives seem intent on only representing the corporate and special interests that finance their campaigns, I say that we bypass the middleman and go directly to the source. If corporate interests control the membership of congress, then the pressure needs to be applied to corporate interests. Fortunately, unlike congressional ideologues who hold steadfast to their polar opposite views, corporations are inherently apolitical. They only worship the bottom line.
In that spirit, I propose that we deprive them of that bottom line.
Boycott Christmas.
Yes, I said the unthinkable. Boycott Christmas - in an activist manner. We need to get together with the power of the internet and come up with a list of one or two focused demands - demands that must be met before we hand over our hard earned cash. If we are truly a market-driven capitalist society, then the true owner of the market - the consumer - must finally voice their objection. We make these companies possible. Without us, they are nothing. Recognize your power and use it.
Vote with your pocketbook - it will work far, far faster than the ballot box. Corporations live from fiscal quarter to fiscal quarter: an effective, targeted boycott could create real change within three to six months. Not the two years of the common election cycle, followed by years of inaction as the politicians gear up for their next election. Six months.
Do not think small. We need jobs. Demand that jobs be created, or you will refuse to shop at their store. When they whine about not having money to do so, tell them to sell the corporate jets and fly coach like the rest of us. Cut the executive salaries by 50%. End the irresponsible perquisites that are commonplace among the corporate elite. Some companies, notably FedEx, did just that at the height of the financial crisis in 2008/2009, avoiding layoffs. This is an example of socially-responsible capitalism: unemployed workers can't buy your product or use your service. This proves that it can be done - it is simply a choice of corporate greed that does not make it so.
Demand that corporations stop working their employees to death and hire enough people to reasonably perform the required job. Demand the end to the out-sourcing of American jobs, for the sole purpose of shirking US regulations and increasing profits. Demand responsible capitalism. Create your own list of demands - but make it a short list of just a few items. This must be a focused demand, and coordinated.
You don't accept shoddy merchandise. Don't accept shoddy hiring practices, or shoddy treatment of your neighbors or your community. We need a return of the socially-responsible corporations of old, and the only way to do this is quit rewarding business that work contrary to our communities. Business cannot exist without you. Forget government regulation - think spending regulation.
Yes, they will argue back that this will only hurt employees, and only hurt the consumer. They will buy TV time and broadcast on the networks that they own about the "grave injustice" being foisted upon them. When they send their corporate-paid congressmen/women to say that boycotting will only hurt working people and the economy, respond loud and clear with "BULLSHIT." Act like a congressman and ignore everthing they say. Other companies, as stated earlier, made in-house corporate cuts in order to serve a purpose larger than the bottom line. We regularly demand that waste, inefficiency, and fat-cat salaries be eliminated in public-sector jobs. It's about time that corporate America got the same message.
Business will do whatever is necessary in order to survive. They will find the money, believe me. And if they don't, they deserve to go out of business. Somebody else will rush to pick up their customers and pay attention when we talk. Businesses insensitive to the needs of the customer, community, and nation as a whole deserve to die.
We the consumers are the real boss of these corporations. The customer is always right, correct? It is time that the customer began to assert their corporate rights. We pay their salaries with our hard-earned money. Corporations that continue to ignore our demands will see their stock prices drop, as their overall sales plummet. Corporations that do not meet our demands will see a drop in their fiscal quarterly earnings. Their board of directors and shareholders will demand that any drop in dividends and stock value cease immediately, by any means necessary. Only a few examples will have to be made - the others will see the handwriting on the wall and react quickly to consumer activism or become extinct.
Pick a company that is big, has a nationwide impact, and ripples into many ancilliary and subsidiary businesses, and is guilty of crimes against the American worker and the rape of the American economy. Tell that corporation you will refuse to shop at their store or buy their products until your demands are visibly met. Fill their email inboxes, and let the managers of stores know why you are not shopping there, or not buying a particular product. Make your voice known, and your pocketbook seen. Require action, not words. And hold true to the boycott. The stockholders will force the change to protect their interests. And don't shop at that store until they have actually met your demands, with action. Don't accept promises - corporations have already proven they will say anything in order to protect the profit margin. Demand results.
Be loud. Be proud. And let your voice, position and intent be known in forums, feedback posts, social networks and any other place you can post an opinion. The internet is a great equalizer. Use it. Post on blogs. Post on social networks. Make this happen. If enough people are involved, the mere threat may be all that it takes
Do not simply go over to a competitor's store and purchase what you didn't purchase at corporation X. We will need to find something we can all live without for 3-6 months. We must show that we are serious about this, and have a take-no-prisioners attitude.
Will this be difficult? Probably. Our parents and grandparents had to give up certain luxuries during World War II to help support the war effort for 4 years. A war is being waged on America (and the rest of the world) by corporate interests who have no allegiance to the US flag whatsoever (or any other flag for that matter). We need to fight back. We must fight back if we are to retain any semblance of democracy in this country. If we are focused and coordinated, it will take a very short time to achieve our goals.
Boycott Christmas.
And when this works, let's apply the same pressure to our elected officials. An active electorate is a politician's worst nightmare. Let's be that nightmare.
No comments:
Post a Comment