I am in the middle class by most economic barometers, but I can't afford any major purchase, home repair or car breakdown without going into debt. Granted California has a high cost of living, but I have had to avoid major expenses for a while now. I hope organizations get mass buy-in on these recommendations, though, as I do think they will have impact. I think it would be interesting to test the waters with a set month of canceling Netflix across the country. A symbolic threat of just how much power we consumers have.
In addition to boycotting, which I do, get active your local government. Hold school boards, library boards, city councils, state reps, etc. accountable! At least as much is possible as there are some circumstances where it is not safe.
Moving from a blue state to a red state three years ago has been difficult. Getting involved has saved my sanity. Still have some bad days☹️. Every time I do something, I get braver and bolder. It’s difficult to wear a t-shirt to demonstrate my beliefs, but then someone says “l like your shirt”. This is a moment to lift each other up🙏
If you can or are practicing austerity measures in your households, please consider donating to your local food pantries. There will be families struggling with food insecurity.
How in the world do you exempt Amazon from your suggested boycott? Especially having a prime membership which you don’t even need if you really must use Amazon. Besides killing small business everywhere and taking profits from those on their platform, Bezos is in deep.
It’s not designed to be a prescriptive plan and I do understand your position on it given its impact on small independent businesses. I’m sure people can make their own judgements.
I’m a pragmatist, not a burn the house down person, at least not yet given the situation.
If you’re looking for a kill them all strategy then have a 3 month General Strike and worry about picking up the dead businesses after.
I do hope no one actually believes what Trump is saying! Anything imported is going to increase and anything domestically created will also go up in price, because they can get away with it. Inflation here we come.
Would a general strike. Work. Not just once. But rolling strikes. It has worked in various countries in the past. Need to coridinate it. Surely the democrats can organise or the unions.
I don’t think the Dem party can organize squat right now. It’s too busy trying to figure out how to win again—at the same old game. That game doesn’t get us where we need to go. We don’t need to restore the status quo. The status quo is how we got in this mess. Ignore the party machinery and work with real people in local communities. Good old fashioned organizing. Look to groups like Indivisible, Kairos Center, etc that teach organizing. Work in local communities and use existing larger national groups for coordination. And let’s shoot for something better than going back to 2016.
I don’t think Americans have felt the pain yet. It’s coming. It seems there is a vast amount of Americans that are apolitical. They go with the flow. The messaging has been dismally lax from the Democratic leadership.
For the Americans paying attention, it is frustrating. We have to keep up the fight though. We are in existential danger and heading dangerously into autocracy.
I’ve been saying this for months. I’m glad you are advising it in a forum where you can reach a lot of people. Our power as individuals in an economy that depends on OUR purchases gives us enormous power. We just need to USE it.
"The question is simple. What will you do?" Food for thought, like what you are offering, could be coming from everywhere as what there is for us to do now!
But, your suggestion doesn't seem to me to be so palatable. Those highest ticket items, like luxury vacations, are purchased by the richest people, who are the least likely to cooperate with an austerity bandwagon.
What I throw into the cooker is to work on uplifting humanity's consciousness. Having hit the wall of post-capitalism, we need a different idea of what we are here for, that's not to be rugged individualists who climb over each other to get to the 1% but to become a caring species, even a divine one in a sacred universe, here to serve each other and protect Earth. Do a campaign --even get an ad agency -- to uplift us to get excited about who we are and what we can do.
Thank you, Martin, for laying out common sense ideas about how we can wield the economic power we have and make an impact on the harm this administration is doing to our economy and our way of life. Our family has been discussing this and making changes since the November election. Sitting on our money and avoiding making large purchases and travel that can be delayed is doable. (The Canadians are a good example.) Pointing out that trying to eliminate small purchases, eating out, or having food or other items delivered would only further hurt low income workers, which we did not want to do. They are disproportionately being hurt now by rising inflation. The selective economic targeting you pointed out would, hopefully, make a big difference.
My concern is that most Americans will not be willing to sacrifice the instant gratification they have enjoyed for decades. You want it, you find it, you buy it. Just pull out a credit card. They not only don’t see any cracks in the dam, they can’t imagine the impending deluge of economic disaster heading their way.
Some of us are old enough to remember needing a parent to co-sign to purchase a new sofa and chair on credit from a furniture store for your first house, even though you were married and both working. When I went grocery shopping I used a clicking device that would add up my purchases as I went through the store. Before you wrote the check, you had to be sure you wouldn’t overdraft your account. No credit cards, hand held calculators, or smart phones. Then you made do with what you had and prayed the big items like appliances kept working. Now we replace and throw away. No need to dream and plan for things you want, just go buy it.
Your ideas are what we need to do, but how many Americans will heed your call?
The app you mention about tracking effects of not spending money is a great idea. Have you or anyone looked into this and coordinate these actions?
I am in the middle class by most economic barometers, but I can't afford any major purchase, home repair or car breakdown without going into debt. Granted California has a high cost of living, but I have had to avoid major expenses for a while now. I hope organizations get mass buy-in on these recommendations, though, as I do think they will have impact. I think it would be interesting to test the waters with a set month of canceling Netflix across the country. A symbolic threat of just how much power we consumers have.
In addition to boycotting, which I do, get active your local government. Hold school boards, library boards, city councils, state reps, etc. accountable! At least as much is possible as there are some circumstances where it is not safe.
Moving from a blue state to a red state three years ago has been difficult. Getting involved has saved my sanity. Still have some bad days☹️. Every time I do something, I get braver and bolder. It’s difficult to wear a t-shirt to demonstrate my beliefs, but then someone says “l like your shirt”. This is a moment to lift each other up🙏
If you can or are practicing austerity measures in your households, please consider donating to your local food pantries. There will be families struggling with food insecurity.
How in the world do you exempt Amazon from your suggested boycott? Especially having a prime membership which you don’t even need if you really must use Amazon. Besides killing small business everywhere and taking profits from those on their platform, Bezos is in deep.
It’s not designed to be a prescriptive plan and I do understand your position on it given its impact on small independent businesses. I’m sure people can make their own judgements.
I’m a pragmatist, not a burn the house down person, at least not yet given the situation.
If you’re looking for a kill them all strategy then have a 3 month General Strike and worry about picking up the dead businesses after.
I do hope no one actually believes what Trump is saying! Anything imported is going to increase and anything domestically created will also go up in price, because they can get away with it. Inflation here we come.
“ the American public struggles to grasp the intricacies of economic policy”
Aww, you’re being too kind.
I think you don’t understand how racism works in America. Now, I’m being too kind.
You know what? Carry on!
you guys are hilarious
Only loss of your comfort will drive a few of you to action.
The rest will tremble and piss puddle on the floors like the lapdogs you are.
While the Black Marias prowl and the DHS troops knock, at 3 or 4 in the morning
Yep!
Tax is a recognizable word terrif is not yet they are interchangeable.
Would a general strike. Work. Not just once. But rolling strikes. It has worked in various countries in the past. Need to coridinate it. Surely the democrats can organise or the unions.
I don’t think the Dem party can organize squat right now. It’s too busy trying to figure out how to win again—at the same old game. That game doesn’t get us where we need to go. We don’t need to restore the status quo. The status quo is how we got in this mess. Ignore the party machinery and work with real people in local communities. Good old fashioned organizing. Look to groups like Indivisible, Kairos Center, etc that teach organizing. Work in local communities and use existing larger national groups for coordination. And let’s shoot for something better than going back to 2016.
ALOHA...
https://substack.com/@cpbskc/note/c-132586059
The world watches on in disbelief as Americans appear powerless or apathetic against this tyranny. It’s like they’ve already accepted their fate.
I don’t think Americans have felt the pain yet. It’s coming. It seems there is a vast amount of Americans that are apolitical. They go with the flow. The messaging has been dismally lax from the Democratic leadership.
For the Americans paying attention, it is frustrating. We have to keep up the fight though. We are in existential danger and heading dangerously into autocracy.
I’ve been saying this for months. I’m glad you are advising it in a forum where you can reach a lot of people. Our power as individuals in an economy that depends on OUR purchases gives us enormous power. We just need to USE it.
"The question is simple. What will you do?" Food for thought, like what you are offering, could be coming from everywhere as what there is for us to do now!
But, your suggestion doesn't seem to me to be so palatable. Those highest ticket items, like luxury vacations, are purchased by the richest people, who are the least likely to cooperate with an austerity bandwagon.
What I throw into the cooker is to work on uplifting humanity's consciousness. Having hit the wall of post-capitalism, we need a different idea of what we are here for, that's not to be rugged individualists who climb over each other to get to the 1% but to become a caring species, even a divine one in a sacred universe, here to serve each other and protect Earth. Do a campaign --even get an ad agency -- to uplift us to get excited about who we are and what we can do.
There are people popping down $800 or more a ticket for an event. Even a movie has gotten too expensive, but the theater is packed every weekend
Thank you, Martin, for laying out common sense ideas about how we can wield the economic power we have and make an impact on the harm this administration is doing to our economy and our way of life. Our family has been discussing this and making changes since the November election. Sitting on our money and avoiding making large purchases and travel that can be delayed is doable. (The Canadians are a good example.) Pointing out that trying to eliminate small purchases, eating out, or having food or other items delivered would only further hurt low income workers, which we did not want to do. They are disproportionately being hurt now by rising inflation. The selective economic targeting you pointed out would, hopefully, make a big difference.
My concern is that most Americans will not be willing to sacrifice the instant gratification they have enjoyed for decades. You want it, you find it, you buy it. Just pull out a credit card. They not only don’t see any cracks in the dam, they can’t imagine the impending deluge of economic disaster heading their way.
Some of us are old enough to remember needing a parent to co-sign to purchase a new sofa and chair on credit from a furniture store for your first house, even though you were married and both working. When I went grocery shopping I used a clicking device that would add up my purchases as I went through the store. Before you wrote the check, you had to be sure you wouldn’t overdraft your account. No credit cards, hand held calculators, or smart phones. Then you made do with what you had and prayed the big items like appliances kept working. Now we replace and throw away. No need to dream and plan for things you want, just go buy it.
Your ideas are what we need to do, but how many Americans will heed your call?