Tension would mount. What do consumers want? Are these radicals trying to destroy America? Our political and business leaders would be asking this in interviews, reminiscent of how large labor unions used to be attacked. Frenzied mainstream media would be milking the news story while contemplating massive reductions in advertising! All over network and cable TV, radio talk shows and newspapers and magazines there would be endless pleadings by politicians and business leaders aimed at convincing the public that it is suicidal for them to maintain their spending slowdown. Paying off debt and saving more would be derided.
What a wonderful scenario to contemplate: Capitalism crumbling because Americans swear off excessive, compulsive and distractive consumption; right wing pundits screaming about an attack from within by economic terrorists. Meanwhile, citizens could feel their consumer power being taken seriously. Progressive Internet sites would be heaping praise on them.
An historic first: Americans discover political power by exercising their freedom to NOT spend THEIR MONEY, more rewarding than voting. They become economic patriots, rebooting representative democracy. The dollar becomes mightier than both the sword and the vote!
How do we start? Americans must envision a set of political and economic reforms to seek.
True progressives and smart dissenters can help shape the agenda. Creating a national debate on what consumers acting as angry, fed up citizens should demand from the corrupt plutocracy that now disrespects them. For example, a good initial goal for the new congress would be a raise in the minimum wage. A few weeks of reduced consumer spending might do the trick. Getting out of Iraq might take a month or two of consumer revolt. Serious electoral reforms might also require a few months of enjoyable sacrifice.
I urge you to ruminate on these questions:
Is a democracy first rate when patriotism is most manifest through consumerism?
Can perhaps 10 to 20 million Americans learn to flex their spending muscle to gain political and economic justice?
Can the highly fragmented progressive community unite and inspire millions of Americans that are fed up with the political system to exercise their inherent consumer power?
Dollars for Democracy!
[The author's new book is Delusional Democracy – Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government; he can be reached through www.delusionaldemocracy.com.]
Joel S. Hirschhorn is the author of Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government (www.delusionaldemocracy.com). His current political writings have been greatly influenced by working as a senior staffer for the U.S. Congress and for the National Governors Association. He advocates a Second American Revolution, beginning with an Article V Convention to propose constitutional amendments. He is Chair of the Independent Party of Maryland.
The government allows us to cast a vote every two years, but you have the ability to vote every day, and many times. You can vote with your wallet. Simply, do not buy products that support issues that you do not agree with, be it war propaganda, stem cell research or prayer in school. I didn't buy Dow products during Viet Nam because they made napalm; I cancelled a newspaper subscription when they began running ads for gun sales. You have a choice
by
Angelo (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 191 comments)
on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 8:33:46 AM
Your biggest expenses are probably your rent or mortgage, your car, your credit cards, and taxes.
Sure you can buy gas only at Citgo, stop buying name brands at big box stores, and stop making donations to political parties.
But if you really want to stop supporting the Bush regime, torture, secret prisons, and illegal wars, you might think about making some major lifestyle changes.
Can you stop paying rent or mortgage without becoming homeless? The housing bubble is starting to burst. If somebody you know has already paid off their mortgage, they might let you move in with them or put a trailer on their property. The big bank that holds your mortgage is going to be stuck with a lot of property they can't sell or rent, but that's not your problem.
Can you get by without a car? What about bicycles, motorcycles, or public transportation? Sure it might be a hardship, but we're tough.
Can you quit your job before it is outsourced? If you're not working, you don't have to pay taxes.
What happens if you stop paying your credit cards? Unless you have assets, nothing happens.
Big corporations don't pay taxes. The rich don't pay taxes. Every penny this government has either comes from us or is borrowed from foreign countries. Governments don't just derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, they derive their revenues from us also.
A consumers' revolution can't be contained by Homeland Security thugs with crowd control gear.
So think about it. How much do you love freedom? And how much are you willing to sacrifice for it?
by
Mark E. Smith (21 articles, 30 quicklinks, 100 diaries, 1325 comments)
on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at 9:06:14 AM
2 comments
How would you rate this?
You must be logged in (if signed up) to do ratings.
It's free to signup! And easy. And takes just a minute or two....
Must Read (
Well Said (
News (
Touching (
Funny (
Supported (
Interesting (
Inspiring (
Valuable (
