A COSTCO CHRISTMAS

[Warren DeMontague]

Okay. Let's leave aside the whole red/blue thing for now.

The Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa Holiday Season is coming up. This would be an excellent place for spirited Dems and Progressives to flex our economic muscle.

One alternative is to not buy anything. Make homemade gifts out of papier mache, wicker, dryer lint. That's noble and good, but, we're all depressed enough--- no sense in dragging the kids into it, eh?


Maybe what we should do is make sure that as much holiday shopping as possible is done at progressive or dem-friendly businesses. Costco is a great example. They supported Kerry and are generally pretty highly rated in terms of community support and overall positive business practices. To boot, you can pretty much handle all your Christmas or other Holiday shopping there, in one trip.

This upcoming season would be an excellent time to start to vote with our dollars, IMHO.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

[DemVIctory]

1. Art and music are always good gifts.

Plus pretty much anybody who is any good is left of center!

[Warren DeMontague]

2. R.E.M. has a New Album.

It's not "murmur", but it's got some solid tracks.

[AspenRose]

6. So does U2 and Gwen Stefani!

They're liberal....

[Warren DeMontague]

8. I'm boycotting Gwen Stefani

because she's prejudiced against longhairs. :hippie:

But U2 is great.

[Roland99]

37. Don't Forget Steve Earle's The Revolution Starts Now and Green Day's

American Idiot.

[UdoKier]

41. I gave Dixie Chicks CDs to everyone last Xmas.

nt

[St. Jarvitude]

62. Unfortunately, most of the artists get screwed by the record companies

The "standard" record deal is something like $0.10 for the artist and his agent out of every dollar brought in by the record company. So when the agent takes his cut... the artist is left with pennies out of every dollar.

I don't know the campaign financing tendencies of the huge record labels, but I can't imagine they're on our side (Warner Bros especially...).

I guess if you're going to buy music, buy from an independent label.

[MoonRiver]

3. LINK

for freedom from fascism!

http://www.costco.com/

[Walt Starr]

4. My wife and I shop almost exclusively at Costco

Already getting many Yule gifts there, even before the election.

[ReadTomPaine]

5. I've heard much the same about Costco. Nice to have a place like this...

Tho consider progressive locals with small shops who can use the money even more.

RTP

[CMO]

7. I just got a Costco card last week.

It's much better than Sam's.

[Starlight]

9. Give donations to progressive charities instead of trinkets.

Don't support the conspicuous consumer mentality. Give a small, homemade gift (cookies, for instance) along with a donation made in the receiver's name.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

10. YEP!!

I just joined Costco yesterday and I bought Mr. Moonbeam a nice programmable 12 cup black coffee maker (he's been wanting a new one) for Christmas for $30!

And I am sewing two matching blankets for us....I got the fabric from a friend, she had no use for it, but it is REALLY nice fabric, so I have one blanket done (I am using her sewing machine, too, she doesn't mind) and I'll finish the other next weekend.

So Christmas shopping for him is done.

For our daughter, we are going to try to be as frugal or as Dem business friendly as possible too!

Do it Dems!

[Carni]

16. You won't regret it!

Well actually you WILL regret it when you discover how much you end up buying on a typical visit! LOL

(I can never get out of that place without going overboard!)

[K8-EEE]

23. EXCELLENT Wines At Costco. CDs/DVDs Are Good Gifts Too.

Remember that movie studios are Dem-givers, so pick up a flick for a gift!

The pumpkin pie is to die for....YUM!

[Mz Pip]

11. Costco

and the local independent bookstore are the sources of all of my holiday shopping.

In addition, I do most of my food shopping at Costco. Even though it is just the two of us now, I divide and freeze my meat. The cats seem happy with the bulk Friskies or Costco brand. Shampoo, cleaning supplies are of good quality and last a looonnnnggg time.

Sometimes I hit Trader Joe's for their excellent selection of condiments.

I also make a lot of my gifts. I paint, I bead, I crochet, I bake. I haven't darkened the door of Macy's in years.

MzPip
:dem:

[Carni]

15. Costco's meat is better than what I can buy at a meat market

I have a friend that owns a deli and he said Costco's meat cutting area is as clean as the kosher butcheries.

I also agree with you about Trader Joes -- they strike me as left leaning but I haven't actually looked that up.

[slackmaster]

24. Another vote for Costco and Trader Joe's

I pretty much quit using the traditional big supermarkets (around here it's Albertson's, Von's, and Ralph's) after their strike of '03-'04.

I have a friend that owns a deli and he said Costco's meat cutting area is as clean as the kosher butcheries.

Yes, and you can actually see what's going on from the public areas, much like the way Safeway was when I was a kid back in the '60s.

[UdoKier]

48. Trader Joes is nice but has a spotty selection.

The one in my area has mini carrots, but no normal carrots - and no cabbage!

It is not sufficient as a one-stop supermarket.

[Warren DeMontague]

59. Trader Joe's is spotty on produce in general, I've noticed.

For stuff like cereal, frozen dinners, that kind of thing, it's great.

[SayitAintSo]

12. My repuke raised neice and nephew are getting HISTORY BOOKS

No more checks, cooll clothes, expensive gifts, etc... HISTORY BOOKS... that's it...

[GalleryGod]

13. Excellent! Don't forget INSCRIPTION

That's a great Idea! Shove it!
Make sure the gift are nearly -impossible to exchange,too!

You know how?:bounce:

A loving, DATED, Handwritten INSCRIPTION!

[debatepro]

53. May I recommend

Howard Zinn a people's history of the united states.

[Carni]

14. I'm on board with Costco

I have pretty much done all my Christmas shopping there for about three or four years--you can find just about anything there for anyone on your list and if you have a problem with one of their products they will back you up.

PS I swear I don't work there, or own a bunch of stock, but I do promote them constantly! (they should pay me lol)

[suegeo]

17. Making things can be theraputic

I hear Costco treats its people well, so I got no beef with them.

However, I have read that making things can be calming.

Plus, once you learn how to sew (knit, or make your own soap or shampoo etc. etc.) you have acquired a skill that makes you less dependent on the coporations.

I have started to sew again, and I don't know if it is making me less nuts or not. I have made some pretty hideous outfits so far, but I am just now getting the hang of it.

If you must purchase gifts, I would probably purchase stuff from charitable type organizations. For example, one organization I know of imports blankets, purses, shawls,etc. made by poor people in South America. The stuff is pretty nice, and it is unique.

[pdx_prog]

18. We can at least boycott Walmart

or buy from smaller businesses.......Heifer International is the perfect place to buy gifts....you can make a charitable donation for someone also(and get a tax break in the process!)

[ArkDem]

19. The manufacturers that Costco buys from are almost all evil

gopers.

[K8-EEE]

26. Not True At All...

What I mostly buy from there is wine....and they have lots of nice family owned Napa-area vinyards.

ALL products/manufacturing tends to be overseas outfits sure a lot of them might be GOP...I boycott all Kraft products wherever I shop and they're shit anyhow.

I buy mostly fresh stuff from Costco. I love the chicken caesar salads in the deli, and the tortilla soup too! I like the way they treat their employees too especially compared to Walmart.

[Warren DeMontague]

55. That's not true. And if you want your money to go to Costco itself

You can buy their signature Kirkland Brand, which covers a lot of products--- and is usually cheaper than the big corp. products too!

[wildeyed]

20. I buy funky/interesting things on ebay for gifts.

I got my mom a set of vintage fish plates last year. I got my Grandmother (cat freak) a retro figurine of a christmas tree with a cat sleeping under it. I will probably do more ebay this year and try costco for the more conventional gifts.

I will save the homemade dryer lint gifts for the people who actually voted for Bush. Maybe that and a little coal in their stockings.

[AlCzervik]

21. i'm glad ypu posted this, we went to Costco yesterday

we go about every 3 months as there are only 3 of us and spent $471 and we loaded up my accord to the pont of groaning. The Sam's is right down the street and i take enjoyment in passing it by.

[K8-EEE]

22. Change Your Prescriptions To Costco Pharmacy

I love changes like this because you really only have to do it once, and it saves you from giving repuke supporting drug stores like SavOn money on a regular basis.

OR and indie pharmacy OR on on-line pharmacy -- I've heard they deliver to your house. But I looked up SavOn on followyourmoney and it was like 75% GOP supporting...so bye bye!

[slackmaster]

27. Sav-On pharmacy pissed me off for the LAST TIME on Friday!

I have three maintenance medications that I take every day for hypertension and cholesterol. I've been taking the same things for about three years with no change.

My doctor always renews the 'scrips for 180 days. I had all three in sync for over a year - partly to avoid the hassle that happens almost every time Sav-On has to call the doc for a renewal. They get into a silly dance where Sav-On claims the doctor hasn't called after 3 or 4 work days. The doc tells me they approved the renewal, or that Sav-On didn't call.

Now they've goofed it up royally. The number of refills and prescription date is wrong on at least one of my bottles. I asked the clerk to look into it, and she just stared with her mouth open. I again said "I want the pharmacist to check into this error on my prescription label." She continued to just stare, clueless as to what to say or do.

I've had many problems with them before. When I do talk to the pharmacist, an older German lady, she's rude to me and says nothing could be wrong because the computer handles everything.

:argh:

I may switch to Costco.

[K8-EEE]

29. Or Maybe An Indie Pharmacy?

If you can find one, one of those family-owned pharmacies might actually give a shit...

[slackmaster]

30. Thanks - Costco would not be convenient

I think there's an indie pharmacy across the street from Sav-On.

:D

[Patiod]

44. My dad did a study , and Costco drugs are substantially less $

Better than Walmart and WAY better than the chain drug stores (CVS, etc.)

He compared several drugs, both branded and unbranded, and he was stunned by the price differences. He sent it to the people who are (still) paying his pension and health care, suggesting that they could cut their retiree costs by mandating Costco (since they will deliver by mail if you aren't in the area)

[spooky3]

25. Maybe we should have a list of progressive businesses...

The Container Store treats its employees well--I hope they are progressive in other ways.

Target gives back to the community.

Progressive Insurance's CEO donated a lot to Dem. causes.

But I don't know how we should measure being progressive.

[Dora]

28. Locally owned businesses

Don't forget to try and spend as much money as you can at locally owned businesses. You'd be surprised at how many there are trying to make it.

I don't remember the exact numbers, but of every dollar you spend at a locally-owned business, a bigger piece of that dollar stays in the local economy than if you had spent it at WalMart.

[Sugarcoated]

31. There's a big weekend flea market I went to

here in Bucks County PA, I got homemade soaps and candles, sweaters made by South American Crafters. I tried to avoid the knock off stands, I bought a purse from a leather designer. I'm supporting local crafters and businesses religiously from now on. Proud to say I left Sam's in the dust earlier this year and have been doing Costco. Much classier and cleaner than Sam's.

[flygal]

32. Jon Stewart's America is on my shopping list!

copies to my repug in-laws - and a plea to turn off Rush and Faux for one month!!

[xultar]

34. I bought my copies @ costco Saturday!

[VaYallaDawg]

33. Other suggestion.

How about donating to some of the truly worthwhile charities - Meals on Wheels comes to mind -- then letting friends know via a holiday card or letter that the contribution has been made in their honor instead of some POS junk (which nobody really needs) made by slave labor and sold at a bigbox store? Just an idea.

[phylla]

35. I have been a rabid costco fan for at least 20 years-

back when they were the price club.
I shop Costco and Target only.

[UdoKier]

36. Here's a novel idea - patronize LOCALLY-OWNED businesses?

I don't live in the 'burbs, so we mostly have locally-owned shops, but there must be some in the 'burbs, right?

[in_cog_ni_to]

38. What if they're owned by repukes? and how do we know?

:hi: Just wondering. I've already finished my holiday shopping so this doesn't apply to me. The thought of giving ANY repuke my money makes my blood boil. :grr:

[UdoKier]

40. Well, it can be hard to tell, but...

Even a repuke-owned local business keeps more money in the community than a corporate box store, that usually pays little or no local taxes and sends all profits to corporate HQ.

Besides, little locally-owned shops can't afford to donate all that much to either side, politically, and most big companies give to both sides.

[Patiod]

45. I agree - I go local before even the best corp. chains

I don't care about a local guy's politics, because the money stays in the community.

Local hardware before Loew's (won't patronize home depot), local supermarket before Costco (won't patronize Walmart for any reason at any time). Local pet food store before PetsMart (in spite of their great "pet adoption rather than pet sales" policy).

And 100% local restaurants over chains - we don't eat at chains (easier to do here in Philadelphia - very tough to do in places like Houston).

[Warren DeMontague]

56. Costco is a VERY strong supporter of the Democratic Party.

I agree about small businesses. Indie video store vs. Blockbuster? It's a no-brainer. And shopping locally is good, too-- (Of course, I mentioned in a separate thread that from now on I was going to try to keep most of my money in the predominantly blue areas of Northern California, and a bunch of Red State people went apopleptic.)

But if you're going to hit a big box outlet, Costco is the way to go. I mean, it's like long distance- sooner or later you're probably going to have to make a long distance phone call, you might as well use Working Assets.

[Missy Vixen]

39. I own a local business

I realize that there are many here who are spending little or nothing on the holidays because they're either out of work or being frugal. That's their choice, and I support those who are having a rough time financially. For those who aren't, you might want to look around your community and unearth liberal-owned small businesses who won't survive without making a few dollars over the holidays.

I live in one of the few Repug strongholds in Western Washington. I can name five local small businesses owned by liberals within a block in our town that you and your family could obtain wonderful gifts from that aren't the "same old, same old" or junk that would do nothing but gather dust. If you live here and want some information, PM me, I'm happy to pass it on.

If you want the option of shopping at businesses owned by liberals, you must patronize them. If they don't make money, they go out of business.

Julie

[in_cog_ni_to]

43. nevermind..

[Minimus]

42. Got a chuckle in the Costco parking lot before the election...

I pulled in next to a truck loaded with pro bush bumperstickers: Sportsmen For Bush, W '04, etc. and anti Kerry bumperstickers: Flush the Johns, etc.

I got to giggle knowing he was spending his money at a Pro Democrat store.

[West Coast Democrat]

46. I'll be shopping at local shops that sported Kerry signs

I remember who they are!

[chaska]

47. Great. Just what we need a thread about shopping. I ain't buying a thing.

If you must, ebay at least cheats bushco out of tax dollars. You can even ask the seller who they voted for.

[Warren DeMontague]

58. Great Idea. I'll buy a 60 pack of toilet paper on EBAY.

Shit, some of us are just trying to be constructive. If you don't want to "buy a thing", good for you, but here in the real world eventually some of us are probably going to need to EAT. And I hate to say I do actually sympathize with parents who don't want to punish their four year olds for Bush's "victory".

[Q]

49. We do all our shopping at COSTCO...

...and at local supermarkets. (Sometimes I don't need a gallon of mustard). They have great Christmas gift ideas...at a reasonable cost.

- I recently purchased several copies of Jon Stewart's new book and will be giving them as presents.

- I wouldn't shop at Walmart for any reason.

[Minimus]

50. Help end world hunger - give a heifer or other animal

My husband and I are giving the gift of goats in our family's name. We decided on this animal because of bush reading My Pet Goat.

Check out this website and help end hunger:

http://catalog.heifer.org/

[cally]

64. We've given 'animals' to family members for years

Even the kids enjoy it. When they were very young, we would give our nephews or nieces a small gift like bubbles and then donate. Now we skip the small gift. They seem to appreciate it.

[DinahMoeHum]

51. Want progressive/Dem-friendly? Check out Co-op America

www.coopamerica.org

and click on Green Pages online.

This is one the best guides ever to shopping for, say, "fair-trade" or "environmentally-friendly" products.

:think:

[Warren DeMontague]

60. great link!

thanks!

[blondeatlast]

52. Costco is also very good to its employees. nt

[msanthrope]

54. Costco had some really nice Xmas baskets this year...

I bought some chocolate and bath stuff ones......

Good quality wrapping paper and tags.

I bought some "parents" brand toys for various children.

They also have very affordable and durable clothing.
I've bought dress shirts and jeans there.
My Husband buys his socks and underwear there. Very good buys.

I also buy diapers and wipes, and vitamins there.

[progressivebydesign]

57. Costco RULES!!!

We do ALL our big grocery shopping there! We have to use the corporate whore grocery stores for day to day stuff, sometimes. Costco, if you haven't been there, has food, electronics, furniture, gifts, clothing, wine, decorations, books, videos, etc.. etc.. etc.. The membership card is worth it.. it really is! We save SO MUCH on food. Even though there are only 3 of us at home, here, we STILL can save a lot by buying in bulk.

[Missy Vixen]

61. Okay. I evidently was much too subtle.

I am not bashing anyone on this thread, and I am not disagreeing with those who simply are not shopping this holiday season.

I also want it known that we shop at Costco, we enjoy shopping at Costco, and part of the reason why we continue shopping there is because of the political stance of their management and owners. However, we buy the vast majority of gifts, groceries, etcetera locally.

Again: There are liberal shopkeepers in most every town. This time of year is VERY difficult for small businesses; it's "make or break". If we don't make any money at all during the holiday season, we do stuff like go out of business. Seek out your community's liberal small business owners and buy from them, even if it's just stocking stuffers. If you want your gas tank to thank you, it's sometimes better to pay a few cents more and buy it locally than by driving to the big box store.

Thank you.

Julie

[Warren DeMontague]

63. Agreed: SUPPORT SMALL AND LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES

When possible.

I'm not saying shop Costco to the exclusion of them, I'm saying to try to focus purchasing power on businesses and corporations that are progressive, good to their workers, and support the Democratic party. Costco fits all three.

Shit, buy organic, local produce if possible- the less it has to travel the better for all of us.

But if you're someone who is trying to save money and you're wont to do that sort of thing anyway, Costco is another excellent choice.

Where I live, it's not a decision between getting my toilet paper, for instance, at a locally owned toilet paper outlet-- or Costco. It's Safeway or Costco. So Costco wins.

Bottom line is, there aren't that many locally owned small businesses left that sell a lot of these things. Locally owned video stores? Record stores? Shoe stores? Hell yes, support them, unless they have a big Bush/Cheney sign in the window. But there aren't any locally owned businesses were I live that SELL Cliff bars by the carton, like Costco does. So it's not an option.

[cally]

65. I agree...support the small businesses if you can

I try to. I also hit the local artists and craftsfolks. I use Costco and Target for some of the basics that I can't find at the small stores.