POLITICIZING CONSUMER POWER

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By Joel S. Hirschhorn (about the author) Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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To frighten the public, the threat of millions of Americans losing their jobs would immediately be invoked by politicians and business leaders. But firing workers would, logically, reduce the ability of consumers to resume spending. Sounds like a real quandary for corporate America.

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.]

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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 (more...)

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