Don't underestimate the power you have in your hands. Your consumption is the key to unlocking the prison you are being forced to live in by a convicted criminal.
I see it as a personal responsibility to refuse to participate in a consumer driven society. The nonstop bombardment of advertising has reached new levels of absurdity. Corporations are predators. Most Americans live beyond their means. I see young men buying $80k pickup trucks for no reason. I see women ordering online almost daily. Its easy, its convenient, but its not cheap. The end result is massive debt and indentured slavery. All anyone needs are the basics. Everyone deserves the basics. Life is about relationships. Not material stuff. I feel our entire country has been brainwashed to buy, buy, buy.
“….brainwashed to buy, buy, buy.” Tell your kids and grandkids that there is no Santa Claus and therefore will receive no gifts. The families can still gather around the tree and sing Christmas songs. I mean after all, “Life is about relationships. Not material stuff”.
Their marketing to kids works against sensible & purposefully budgeting as well. "Collect them all" used to just mean multiple trips to the fast food place. Now there are "mystery toys" in the checkout aisles. And the competition for bigger building sets... mindblowing! We're going to need "need vs want" lessons at my house!
Decades ago in san francisco a lovely human gifted us craigslist. That was the perfect site until people ruined it. Nextdoor was beyond a poor substitute. We need craigs again like it was in the beginning, we can repurpose and collectively organize far better if we have better platforms available.
Galloway's list was great but flawed in a few ways. First, his links just take you to the main page, people still need to remember their log on, remember to grab info for taxes if needed, navigate what are sometimes unreasonably complex unsubscribe systems etc. Second, he has figures on how many have cancelled - we don't. Momentum works with real number trackers - there is a reason kids like stickers and even adults get them for voting. Third, which I ran into, is that some things, like audible, hold a lot that you have purchased; figuring out how to download and access that is beyond daunting. Some tech peeps who could help explain some of that would be a huge help.
I think at this point we need to agree nothing goes on credit - food/gas/utilities/healthcare get a pass. Zero else. Any extra dollar goes to paying off credit. If you are fortunate and hold no credit, every extra dollar goes to savings or donation.
Purchases and swaps should be local with neighbors etc. We need to build back a reuse mentality. Pretend we are our grandparents.
To be fair I have been writing about it for a year. It’s not a problem to modify his site. I can even code it if required. My point is that he’s already created a presence.
Even if you forget Scott’s site altogether, it’s certainly not too late at all. I have a site that will be live in about 10 days, it could be run from there if need be.
Sorry I didn't mean to imply that you were late to the game, I just meant that we as a society are late to accepting how we sustain this system. Awesome I look forward to what you are putting out soon.
I get your points. We need to work together and follow up with a plan. I like the idea of the big picture. Economic Disruption is a good tactic. Also, we need to combine with others and start to implement.
As a veteran, I can relate to the frustration here. This plan makes sense using our everyday choices, like what we buy or subscribe to, to push back is smart. No risk, just real impact. The system works only if we play along; stopping participation quietly hits where it hurts. Respect for highlighting this approach
Please expand on Indivisible’s timid proposal. Engage in an Economic General Strike.
The following is from an email by Indivisible:
“Gearing up for a national day of economic disruption on May Day. We always say mass mobilizations are just one tactic. Economic disruption is another tactic. And it’s most successful when you’ve done the work to build a large, broad-based coalition of folks ready for higher-level actions. So now, the ground is laid for May Day Strong’s national day of “No school, no work, no shopping” to put the oligarchs enabling Trump’s power grabs on notice.”
From Peaceful Solution:
This proposal is 14 months late and far too timid. They should have been proposing economic disruption simultaneously with the street protests. Remember, Indivisible is an offshoot of the Democratic Party, so the timidity should not be surprising. Their proposed one day economic disruption will have absolutely no effect, except to disappoint those participating and give a good laugh to the fascists and billionaires.
We are in the middle of a five alarm fire, and while most of the country remains oblivious, too many in the resistance are wasting time discussing how to organize and implement a fire department. What’s needed from the general public is total non cooperation and an Economic General Strike ( Spending Strike, economic disengagement, economic disruption, general boycott, whichever you prefer). NOW!
We, the People, can’t easily or safely withhold our tax dollars that are allowing this corrupt government to function. Our tax dollars fund the fascist takeover.
But as consumers we can indirectly withhold our tax dollars. Consumer spending is about 70% of the economy. That spending ends up as tax dollars. Stop unnecessary spending and the money funding the fascist takeover will disappear.
This necessity will not be permanent. It only needs to last long enough so that the billionaires realize that We, the People, still wield the power.
I have another thought: 'Starving the Machine' wont do any good. Why? The owners of these corporations have millions in the bank, living off the interest their deposits generates. It only hurts the common worker(s) who rely on these jobs just to eat. What goes first when the profits wane: the low-line workers get laid off. Won't hurt the owner & CEO. they will still have food in thier mouths and never know what it is like to go hungry. The only thing what these ppl understand is: Hurt their party and the leader by voting them OUT. Have everyone get off their effin arses to VOTE. The US really screwed themselves over in the 2024 vote, thought Kamilla had it in the bag by thinking to themselves "I don't need to go out and vote' This 2024 election - YOU got what you voted for, even if you didn't have the gumption to get out and vote. Now, Most of the peeps doing the most screaming in disbelief is the Islamics in Michigan (who stupidly thought that the woman Jill Stiens that comes in every election cycle, & gives her votes to the Repub candidate, but, never seems to get elected for anything), the Hispanics who voted for this Orange Psychopath. They were warned. We warned them they were getting conned and lied to. Now they are all crying foul and that they didn't vote for this. YES THEY DID. Trump told them exactly what he was going to do.
But remember that vacations to individuallly owned motels and BnBs, home renovations by carpenters in the community, etc. keep the money circulating where it should.
I have another thought: 'Starving the Machine' wont do any good. Why? The owners of these corporations have millions in the bank, living off the interest their deposits generates. It only hurts the common worker(s) who rely on these jobs just to eat. What goes first when the profits wane: the low-line workers get laid off. Won't hurt the owner & CEO. they will still have food in thier mouths and never know what it is like to go hungry. The only thing what these ppl understand is: Hurt their party and the leader by voting them OUT. Have everyone get off their effin arses to VOTE. The US really screwed themselves over in the 2024 vote, thought Kamilla had it in the bag by thinking to themselves "I don't need to go out and vote' This 2024 election - YOU got what you voted for, even if you didn't have the gumption to get out and vote. Now, Most of the peeps doing the most screaming in disbelief is the Islamics in Michigan (who stupidly thought that the woman Jill Stiens that comes in every election cycle, & gives her votes to the Repub candidate, but, never seems to get elected for anything), the Hispanics who voted for this Orange Psychopath. They were warned. We warned them they were getting conned and lied to. Now they are all crying foul and that they didn't vote for this. YES THEY DID. Trump told them exactly what he was going to do.
In my personal opinion, the machine is to big and to fight them need more than one idea. Since the beginning of the WWII the mafias, "One Nation UnderBlack Mail" (Book reference), they became so strong and powerful that it is to hard to fight them.
I am not negative that we can fight them but it's going to the country to work in unity and to achieve our, society or community, goals. At the other side of the coin, we are struggling with those who support the cronins and criminals like the one that we have in Washington.
I’ll start by thanking you for the explanation of your strategy, your willingness and sincere commitment to help.
In a society now used to the power of acquiring what it wants, in a society that, unfortunately, many people of our own generation are responsible for having created this sense of entitlement just because, it is definitely a challenge to make those folks understand the importance and meaning of true sacrifice.
You come from a world where war has been part of your makeup and your European countries have suffered it personally and very closely. The United States has been involved in wars through its military, but the people at Home have always looked at it from afar. The only time when there was a real sense of fear and terror here was 9-11-2001.
I hope that with everything we know today, people are waking up and are learning to appreciate what it means to have a narcissistic dictator in power. I hope that what this administration has done thus far has contributed to motivate people to end its reign of terror, corruption and deceit.
As for me, I can tell you that our family stopped giving its patronage to some of the companies that, we know, support Trump:
Amazon, Apple Music subscriptions, Bath and body Works which stems from Victoria’s Secret, just to name a few.
For circumstances that are not relevant to this comment, we have to use delivery services quite a bit, and this represents a hardship for us. But we refuse to support anyone or any entity that contributes to the madness that is taking this country down the path of ruin.
Thanks again and I hope more people engage in this effort because, as I have posted many times on Facebook which now does not post my more blatant comments, hitting this administration and it’s sycophant millionaires where it will hurt, their pockets, is the key to start achieving Trump’s demise.
Our federal, state and sales taxes are contributing to enrich Trump, his family and all of his lunatic projects, including this war, instead of funding the services and projects for which they were imposed. As long as we continue contributing, Trump will have funds to pilfer on top of whatever the millionaires donate to him. And all that at the expense of the people who work hard and do not get any tax cuts, but still have to pay uncle Sam regardless of their ability to make ends meat.
I see it as a personal responsibility to refuse to participate in a consumer driven society. The nonstop bombardment of advertising has reached new levels of absurdity. Corporations are predators. Most Americans live beyond their means. I see young men buying $80k pickup trucks for no reason. I see women ordering online almost daily. Its easy, its convenient, but its not cheap. The end result is massive debt and indentured slavery. All anyone needs are the basics. Everyone deserves the basics. Life is about relationships. Not material stuff. I feel our entire country has been brainwashed to buy, buy, buy.
You will get no pushback from me.
But there's work to do to get humanity attuned that way.
“….brainwashed to buy, buy, buy.” Tell your kids and grandkids that there is no Santa Claus and therefore will receive no gifts. The families can still gather around the tree and sing Christmas songs. I mean after all, “Life is about relationships. Not material stuff”.
Their marketing to kids works against sensible & purposefully budgeting as well. "Collect them all" used to just mean multiple trips to the fast food place. Now there are "mystery toys" in the checkout aisles. And the competition for bigger building sets... mindblowing! We're going to need "need vs want" lessons at my house!
Decades ago in san francisco a lovely human gifted us craigslist. That was the perfect site until people ruined it. Nextdoor was beyond a poor substitute. We need craigs again like it was in the beginning, we can repurpose and collectively organize far better if we have better platforms available.
I agree, I think I’ll be in a better position to show what can be done when my new site is live in about 10 days.
Solid plan but we are a year late.
Galloway's list was great but flawed in a few ways. First, his links just take you to the main page, people still need to remember their log on, remember to grab info for taxes if needed, navigate what are sometimes unreasonably complex unsubscribe systems etc. Second, he has figures on how many have cancelled - we don't. Momentum works with real number trackers - there is a reason kids like stickers and even adults get them for voting. Third, which I ran into, is that some things, like audible, hold a lot that you have purchased; figuring out how to download and access that is beyond daunting. Some tech peeps who could help explain some of that would be a huge help.
I think at this point we need to agree nothing goes on credit - food/gas/utilities/healthcare get a pass. Zero else. Any extra dollar goes to paying off credit. If you are fortunate and hold no credit, every extra dollar goes to savings or donation.
Purchases and swaps should be local with neighbors etc. We need to build back a reuse mentality. Pretend we are our grandparents.
To be fair I have been writing about it for a year. It’s not a problem to modify his site. I can even code it if required. My point is that he’s already created a presence.
Even if you forget Scott’s site altogether, it’s certainly not too late at all. I have a site that will be live in about 10 days, it could be run from there if need be.
Sorry I didn't mean to imply that you were late to the game, I just meant that we as a society are late to accepting how we sustain this system. Awesome I look forward to what you are putting out soon.
I have to agree, apathy is unhelpful in desperate times I fear.
"See something, say something"
What we need to do for the 250 years anniversary celebration of the independence
Is to disrupt the celebration when the stupid man is going to be.
Have to be in front of his rallies. Making him miserable and disrupt this important time in the life of our country
You called unpatriotic and the things that you wanted to say. This is the best time to do it
I get your points. We need to work together and follow up with a plan. I like the idea of the big picture. Economic Disruption is a good tactic. Also, we need to combine with others and start to implement.
I can't edit that comment, so adding in that equity lines and mortgages are credit
As a veteran, I can relate to the frustration here. This plan makes sense using our everyday choices, like what we buy or subscribe to, to push back is smart. No risk, just real impact. The system works only if we play along; stopping participation quietly hits where it hurts. Respect for highlighting this approach
Please expand on Indivisible’s timid proposal. Engage in an Economic General Strike.
The following is from an email by Indivisible:
“Gearing up for a national day of economic disruption on May Day. We always say mass mobilizations are just one tactic. Economic disruption is another tactic. And it’s most successful when you’ve done the work to build a large, broad-based coalition of folks ready for higher-level actions. So now, the ground is laid for May Day Strong’s national day of “No school, no work, no shopping” to put the oligarchs enabling Trump’s power grabs on notice.”
From Peaceful Solution:
This proposal is 14 months late and far too timid. They should have been proposing economic disruption simultaneously with the street protests. Remember, Indivisible is an offshoot of the Democratic Party, so the timidity should not be surprising. Their proposed one day economic disruption will have absolutely no effect, except to disappoint those participating and give a good laugh to the fascists and billionaires.
We are in the middle of a five alarm fire, and while most of the country remains oblivious, too many in the resistance are wasting time discussing how to organize and implement a fire department. What’s needed from the general public is total non cooperation and an Economic General Strike ( Spending Strike, economic disengagement, economic disruption, general boycott, whichever you prefer). NOW!
We, the People, can’t easily or safely withhold our tax dollars that are allowing this corrupt government to function. Our tax dollars fund the fascist takeover.
But as consumers we can indirectly withhold our tax dollars. Consumer spending is about 70% of the economy. That spending ends up as tax dollars. Stop unnecessary spending and the money funding the fascist takeover will disappear.
This necessity will not be permanent. It only needs to last long enough so that the billionaires realize that We, the People, still wield the power.
Yes, what are they thinking, it’s just a token gesture.
It’s worse than useless. It’s counterproductive.
Sorry but this is outrageously inadequate and frankly a fucking joke. (Excuse my language)
I need time to calm down before responding I’m afraid. It’s a useless proposal.
Do you mean the Indivisible proposal?
I will gladly save my money til after the nov elections!
Chance favours the well prepared:
https://digitalcanary.substack.com/p/the-art-of-simple-sabotage
I have another thought: 'Starving the Machine' wont do any good. Why? The owners of these corporations have millions in the bank, living off the interest their deposits generates. It only hurts the common worker(s) who rely on these jobs just to eat. What goes first when the profits wane: the low-line workers get laid off. Won't hurt the owner & CEO. they will still have food in thier mouths and never know what it is like to go hungry. The only thing what these ppl understand is: Hurt their party and the leader by voting them OUT. Have everyone get off their effin arses to VOTE. The US really screwed themselves over in the 2024 vote, thought Kamilla had it in the bag by thinking to themselves "I don't need to go out and vote' This 2024 election - YOU got what you voted for, even if you didn't have the gumption to get out and vote. Now, Most of the peeps doing the most screaming in disbelief is the Islamics in Michigan (who stupidly thought that the woman Jill Stiens that comes in every election cycle, & gives her votes to the Repub candidate, but, never seems to get elected for anything), the Hispanics who voted for this Orange Psychopath. They were warned. We warned them they were getting conned and lied to. Now they are all crying foul and that they didn't vote for this. YES THEY DID. Trump told them exactly what he was going to do.
But remember that vacations to individuallly owned motels and BnBs, home renovations by carpenters in the community, etc. keep the money circulating where it should.
I have another thought: 'Starving the Machine' wont do any good. Why? The owners of these corporations have millions in the bank, living off the interest their deposits generates. It only hurts the common worker(s) who rely on these jobs just to eat. What goes first when the profits wane: the low-line workers get laid off. Won't hurt the owner & CEO. they will still have food in thier mouths and never know what it is like to go hungry. The only thing what these ppl understand is: Hurt their party and the leader by voting them OUT. Have everyone get off their effin arses to VOTE. The US really screwed themselves over in the 2024 vote, thought Kamilla had it in the bag by thinking to themselves "I don't need to go out and vote' This 2024 election - YOU got what you voted for, even if you didn't have the gumption to get out and vote. Now, Most of the peeps doing the most screaming in disbelief is the Islamics in Michigan (who stupidly thought that the woman Jill Stiens that comes in every election cycle, & gives her votes to the Repub candidate, but, never seems to get elected for anything), the Hispanics who voted for this Orange Psychopath. They were warned. We warned them they were getting conned and lied to. Now they are all crying foul and that they didn't vote for this. YES THEY DID. Trump told them exactly what he was going to do.
In my personal opinion, the machine is to big and to fight them need more than one idea. Since the beginning of the WWII the mafias, "One Nation UnderBlack Mail" (Book reference), they became so strong and powerful that it is to hard to fight them.
I am not negative that we can fight them but it's going to the country to work in unity and to achieve our, society or community, goals. At the other side of the coin, we are struggling with those who support the cronins and criminals like the one that we have in Washington.
It’s basic math. You are however exactly right, it will take large scale participation and that’s the real challenge.
Is there a list providing names of companies to use instead?
I strongly urge everyone to divest from the oligarchy as well. Here's my advice on how to do it.
https://turingpolice.substack.com/p/dont-resist-and-unsubscribe-divest
I’ll start by thanking you for the explanation of your strategy, your willingness and sincere commitment to help.
In a society now used to the power of acquiring what it wants, in a society that, unfortunately, many people of our own generation are responsible for having created this sense of entitlement just because, it is definitely a challenge to make those folks understand the importance and meaning of true sacrifice.
You come from a world where war has been part of your makeup and your European countries have suffered it personally and very closely. The United States has been involved in wars through its military, but the people at Home have always looked at it from afar. The only time when there was a real sense of fear and terror here was 9-11-2001.
I hope that with everything we know today, people are waking up and are learning to appreciate what it means to have a narcissistic dictator in power. I hope that what this administration has done thus far has contributed to motivate people to end its reign of terror, corruption and deceit.
As for me, I can tell you that our family stopped giving its patronage to some of the companies that, we know, support Trump:
Amazon, Apple Music subscriptions, Bath and body Works which stems from Victoria’s Secret, just to name a few.
For circumstances that are not relevant to this comment, we have to use delivery services quite a bit, and this represents a hardship for us. But we refuse to support anyone or any entity that contributes to the madness that is taking this country down the path of ruin.
Thanks again and I hope more people engage in this effort because, as I have posted many times on Facebook which now does not post my more blatant comments, hitting this administration and it’s sycophant millionaires where it will hurt, their pockets, is the key to start achieving Trump’s demise.
Our federal, state and sales taxes are contributing to enrich Trump, his family and all of his lunatic projects, including this war, instead of funding the services and projects for which they were imposed. As long as we continue contributing, Trump will have funds to pilfer on top of whatever the millionaires donate to him. And all that at the expense of the people who work hard and do not get any tax cuts, but still have to pay uncle Sam regardless of their ability to make ends meat.