Black Friday: Will you Buy Nothing and use the most vital power you have in Corporate Ruled America?

[omega minimo]

Black Friday: Will you Buy Nothing and use the most vital power you have in Corporate Ruled America?

:yourock: :think: :yourock:



https://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd

[vadawg]

1. not sure what your asking, but im hitting the stores running, see if i can bag some bargains

for christmas...

[omega minimo]

2. Your purchase power is the vote that counts. Withholding it on Black Friday packs a punch.

[Codeine]

4. Yep. Screws small businesses and working people in retail. Bravo. nt

[omega minimo]

9. That's your assumption, your choice. Not really the point. At all.

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. What IS the point of withholding my dollars for one single day?

What point will it make?

Cui Bono? Who benefits?

[omega minimo]

25. Come on, you can figure this out. What's your best guess? On this PARTICULAR single day?

If you -- and a multitude of others -- don't participate.

If you -- and only you -- recognize your own purchase power, power of the pocketbook, voting with dollars for what you support -- or not.

[cherokeeprogressive]

48. Not shopping on Friday, and withholding my purchase power, proves what, exactly?

That I can withhold my purchase power?

Come on now. I'm proving exactly WHAT by withholding my dollars on Friday, but spending them on Saturday?

"The Power of the Pocketbook" means what to you, exactly?

At whose feet would the monstrous dip in spending on the day after Thanksgiving be laid? That's right, President Obama's. What do you think would be gained by laying at PO's feet a HUGE drop in consumer spending? Does this improve President Obama's hand in any way? Or does it UNDERMINE IT?

I know what my purchase power is. And I know who the ABSOLUTE FIRST PERSON to suffer if I withhold that purchasing power will be: President Obama.

What the fuck are you trying to prove by suggesting that NO ONE shop or spend money on the day after Thanksgiving?

I'll ask this again, CUI BONO?

[omega minimo]

53. Who benefits? The people who choose to empower themselves and encourage others to do so..

No more of your rabid justifications, please. Your choice.

[cherokeeprogressive]

64. "Empower Yourself! Fuck the Small Retailer! Prove a Point! Put Someone Out of Work!"

I live in a small community. The mountaintop valley I live in supports 16,000 people about a hundred miles outside of Los Angeles. Supporting my local retailers means keeping my community alive.

Do I support the vitality of my community, or do I withhold my dollars in support of some pithy attempt to hold "The Man's" feet to the fire, and put the employment of thousands in peril?

I don't know where you live, but here we have THREE chain stores. Vons, Stater Bros., and K-Mart. EVERY other business depends on "local dollars" to survive. Tire shops, the local electricians; contractors; and what-not. To withhold my dollars at ANY time means I put my fellow mountaintop residents in peril. Is that what you would have me do? Fuck the fact that I mentioned chain stores down the hill, your call is for everyone to withhold every dollar they can from every retailer possible.

Forgive the fuck out of me if I take issue with your misguided wish that every retailer everywhere suffer because of your misguided need to make "The Man" suffer.

You'd have rural communities shrivel and die to prove a point, and that point I'm still at a loss to ascertain.

[omega minimo]

68. I asked a question. Your rabid rabidness is misplaced

"No more of your rabid justifications, please. Your choice."

Don't project your assumptions on me. Your anger helps justify your choices. So be it. Don't pretend I or anyone else here told you what to do.

:evilfrown:

[cherokeeprogressive]

72. MmmmKay. You could have made your point, but chose not to do so.

It's not the first time I've encountered that here.

Spend no money on Friday. I believe that was your point.

That doesn't work here. We have to be self-sufficient. Obviously, that's beyond your view of who should suffer and who shouldn't.

Regardless, I'll support my local retailers and contractors on Friday just as I would any other day of the year.

It's what keeps us vibrant, and a place that people want to come and visit.

[omega minimo]

74. I already made my point. You wanna fight. No can do. We all have different situations and choices

to make.

It's recognizing the power of it -- and options or range of choices -- INSTEAD OF ANGRILY SHOUTING DOWN THE CONCEPT ALTOGETHER that matters.

[cherokeeprogressive]

80. You made no point in the context of our back and forth and I'm done with you.

Keep spouting your bullshit and I'll keep reading it. I'll not put you on ignore just because you're silly.

In my valley, we depend on each other. I won't withhold a single dollar from a fellow valley resident simply because it dovetails with your crazy worldview.

[omega minimo]

81. It's right there (above) for you to see -- or not.

On this particular day ... If you -- and a multitude of others -- don't participate.
If you -- and only you -- recognize your own purchase power, power of the pocketbook, voting with dollars for what you support -- or not.

Who benefits? The people who choose to empower themselves and encourage others to do so..

[cherokeeprogressive]

82. I get it. You want everyone who participates in the retail game to suffer

for whatever twisted reason.

[omega minimo]

121. Of course -- but only those businesses that sell whatever blinders you're wearing

:toast: Happy Thanksgiving. Do what works for you CP. Think about it or not. But please don't misunderstand on purpose. :hi:

[sendero]

99. The "small retailer"...

.. is a pimple on the ass of the big ones. They are toast already. Sorry you didn't notice.

[redwitch]

115. Sales rep here for a lot of small companies.

I sell handmade American products and a couple of fair trade. My small stores, museums, boutiques need to stay in business so my family can eat. I'm not shopping on Black Friday because I am in dire circumstances already. Lousy Christmas sales help no one.

[omega minimo]

122. I wonder if the down turn will help independent businesses and products like yours

as more people DO consider their purchases and appreciate those products/businesses/neighbors ..........?

[redwitch]

170. Depends on if people have jobs

and disposable income. If they don't they will buy the cheap stuff at the chain stores.

[omega minimo]

180. True. I support local/independent/neighborhood businesses and see

more people thinking about their purchases deliberately and their shopping experience and appreciating the non-chains more.

:thumbsup:

[arcadian]

21. LOL, yeah, Mr Target and Mrs. Home Depot

will have to close up shop. please. :rofl: Small town America and small business doesn't exist anymore, haven't you been paying attention?

[Codeine]

67. I work for a small business.

Twenty-ish employees, three stores, family-owned and operated. Fifty-one years in business and now being run by the granddaughter of the man who started the place. Many, many Americans still work for small businesses.

[omega minimo]

69. And many who care about this make a point to support small, independent businesses.

[arcadian]

117. So you are gonna guilt people into shopping on Black Friday?

We still have choices in this country don't we? :eyes:

[omega minimo]

124. One option is Buy Nothing on Friday and support local/independent/small businesses for gift giving

after Black Friday.

:thumbsup:

[Sherman A1]

144. Agreed

and well said.

[csziggy]

151. Since most of the stores pushing Black Friday sales are big chain stores

I don't see how not spending hurts small businesses so much. In fact, if I were going to spend any money this weekend it would be at the small locally owned quilt/sewing machine shop down the road or at the locally owned native plants nursery a little farther away.

In 2004 our family decided to cut down on gift giving. On one side, we stopped gift exchanges among adults completely and just get together to have time with family. On the other side, about a decade or more ago we decided to draw names for the adults and have limited gift giving to the under aged children. Instead of having to buy gifts for dozens of people, we now give about three or four gifts total. I've gone almost completely to gift certificates or flat out cash rather than trying to pick gifts for people I seldom see.

Sure, if we see something that seems just right for a family member we don't "owe" a gift to, we can get it and have it come from "Santa" but we no longer support rampant consumerism and excess.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

173. I was planning on no shopping tomorrow, but your post reminds me

of a family owned shop near a hundred years old in my tiny town. They carry the higher quality clothing that wears forever, costs more, but it's worth it.

I'm going to pay them a good visit tomorrow, I've been overly fugal the entire year. A couple Christmas gifts for my son and a new heavyweight flannel for my hun. Maybe something for me too, Duofold longjohns the cotton wool warm ones. Yep Yep Yep!

(all will be cash purchases, no credit purchases allowed in this household anymore.)

[vadawg]

7. no where near as much as the punch my misses will pack if i dont get the kids some gifts

sorry i dont agree with you, good luck but i will be getting my christmas gifts as usual...

[omega minimo]

13. Hee Haw!

:rofl:


Is that your only option for getting the kids some gifts?

[vadawg]

16. yeah if i want to get them the two things they have asked for, and i gotta get the misses something

or else on christmas morning when i finally wake up ill be taking another nap....

[Zhade]

174. But isn't it an anonymous blow that's just absorbed and not understood?

It seems very nebulous, goal-wise.

[chervilant]

201. hmmm...

But if all or almost all of us did it, what then?

[chervilant]

200. hmmm...

I keep reminding myself that we are "in process" as a species--that we're maturing measurably, albeit slowly, and that we, as a species, have a tendency not to see the forest for the trees. As Firesign Theater said, "We're all bozos on this bus!" Since we cannot exit this planet at the next galaxy, we must learn to live together and work together to the benefit of us all.

Some of us are questioning the validity of 'capitalism' as our preeminent economic behavior. We questioners are frequently vilified or belittled, but we are growing in number. We questioners know that our species 'created' economic behaviors. We questioners know that our economic behavior has evolved over centuries, and is continuing to evolve as our species overpopulates our planet, using and abusing our natural resources and each other.

Since change now occurs exponentially, we are bombarded daily with countless media messages warning us about all the 'bad things' that are happening, or that will happen if we don't believe certain things or embrace specific ideologies (capitalism and major religions chief among them). I say, turn off the effin' tv...

All kidding aside, I would encourage all of us to pull back and strive for a macro-level awareness of our species' current position in our evolutionary journey. We are still in our adolescence as a species, hedonistically focused on sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll. We tend toward concrete thinking (as in, 'black or white'...'either/or'), and we have trust issues about relationships and, sadly, our own self-esteem. But, this point in our journey is not an endpoint--more specifically, it does not have to be an endpoint, despite what the fearmongers and hatemongers tell you.

But, getting back to our own economic behavior: we are seeing some changes that suggest a growing number of questioners among us. We have freecycle now, throughout the United States and in some other countries. And, we are finding other ways to behave economically that do not enrich an infinitesimally small number of humans at the expense of so many millions of others. I say this is a good thing, since questioning is an important part of exploration and growthful change. I say this is a good thing, since it's more and more evident as we progress that capitalism is becoming obsolete.

[cherokeeprogressive]

14. I'm going to the local Bass Pro Shops to buy a game camera.

I'm sure it's going to be a madhouse, but I'll be leaving here at about 5 a.m. so as to be there when the doors open.

The "game camera" is something I'll be able to mount to the eaves on the front of my house and it will sense movement so as to photograph whatever wildlife wanders into and out of my driveway in the middle of the night, which should include such animals as black bears, mountain lions, coyotes, raccoons, and whatever else happens to use my property as a highway to somewhere else.

My neighbor has one and finding out that there were bears (I knew about the others, but haven't seen any with my own eyes but the coyotes and raccoons) in our neighborhood in the middle of the night sealed the deal. Regular price $149, sale price on Friday will be $79.

On the way home, I'll stop at Walmart, then have lunch at Olive Garden.

[vadawg]

19. my buddy got one of them to photo the wildlife, all he got were naked shots of some 19 year old guy

climbing off the porch from his daughters bedroom, i gotta say it was funny as hell when he proudly showed us the pics without reviewing them....

[cherokeeprogressive]

40. LOL! Yow. Thank GOD my daughter lives with her mom.

I actually live at the end of a street that no one drives down. I've been freakin' scared awake by coyotes at 4 a.m. when they chose the spot outside my bedroom window to start howling. I'd at least like to see what scared the shit out of me.

My neigborhood is one where nearly every house is a weekend rental, so who knows... I might see some interesting stuff! My nearest full-time neighbor is no closer than 10 doors away. During the week, I'd say that my neighborhood, which is called "Red Ant Hill", and has about 400 houses, has only about 50 full-time residents.

[vadawg]

46. i dont really have a neighbourhood as such, in the mountains everybody kinds lives without being

to see the neighbours house, also have a lot of wildlife just cruising, thankfully no boys around my daughter yet, but i got my shotgun for when that happens....

[Dulcinea]

211. Does grocery shopping count?

Black Friday is a great day to grocery shop. I had the store all to myself. I hate crowds. I'll finish my Christmas shopping next week when employed folk are at work.

[Luminous Animal]

29. Yep. Christmas is just cheap things.

Have fun.

[vadawg]

31. depends what you call cheap, im not looking for cheap, im looking for bargains

already got an idea of what im looking to get and its not exactly cheap.....

[Luminous Animal]

36. Whatever you buy will be cheaply made and cheaply sold

and within 3 years you'll be looking for a similar bargain for a similar item.

[vadawg]

47. lol okay then, i hope my new watch lasts longer than 3 years or i will be pissed..

[imdjh]

43. I simply make note of the prices I see in the fliers, those would be the HIGHEST price I would...

.... expect to pay for that item in the future.

Example: Radio Shack had a Nikon camera on sale two weeks ago for $88. Now they have it on the shelf for $119. Should I kick myself? Of course not. It's available online for 90 bucks.

[Hissyspit]

232. "Bargains:"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=7096859

[Cirque du So-What]

3. I am buying nothing

as I have already begun living in a post-consumerist world. I'll leave a candle in the window for you.

[Q3JR4]

5. I am not planning to spend anything black Friday,

mostly because I left my stash of cash at home 150 miles away. Otherwise I'd try to buy one of those cheap ass best buy netbooks, something I've been wanting for five or six months but have never been able to pull the trigger on because I'm too cheap.

Also, since I work only during the semester when university classes are in session and because of a weird pay schedule, I won't get paid the entire month of January. So, yeah, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't an element of fear there too.

Q3JR4.

[Bluebear]

6. Not a thing.

Then again, we don't exchange gifts. Going into debt is not my way of saying "I love you".

[omega minimo]

18. "Going into debt is not my way of saying "I love you"."

:spray: true words

[Quantess]

8. I seriously doubt I'll buy anything, which has nothing to do with making a statement.

I don't have any money to spend.

[951-Riverside]

10. So this is what Xof Swen would look like reversed

That is a loaded poll. :D

BTW, BF is the only time I can actually afford to buy new pants and shoes.

[2tr4nqued]

11. On Black Friday I will protest the Afghanistan troop buildup

in the shopping district of downtown Chicago. I really get a rush out of it.

[madrchsod]

12. my wife is paid every two weeks so this friday so we`ll have to spend

by next friday we`ll be broke.

actually i`m buying some stuff for the house.

[1]

17. i will not buy anything i do not need. i will buy plenty that i do need at great sale prices...

i would be foolish not to.

you stick it to the man. i need to be prudent in my spending...

[omega minimo]

"need"? "prudent"? That's always a matter of opinion on DU. Some think they "need" that cheap BluRay

[1]

37. i need what i need. don't make everything political or about your misunderstanding of posts here...

yep.

i can save 20% if i buy that pressure switch i "need" for my well pump (the one whose contacts are currently held together with bread tie wire) if i shop this friday at the farm and home store. when that switch breaks, i can't pump water.

there are also food bargains (i eat my turkey after thanksgiving) and household bargains and every kind of sale you can imagine for things i "need."

screw you and your little feel good protest against the "corporations" and the man.

i "need" some things and the best prices i will see for some time is on friday.

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[omega minimo]

54. apparently

you ignored that was that posters "way to make their point."

[1]

59. heh. yeah, screw *my* fucked attitude. how dare i try to save some money. the nerve of me...

i'm glad you need nothing.

i'm glad you can pay whatever at anytime for the things necessary for your life.

i am, truly.


and i hope your little protest is a great success...

[omega minimo]

61. I didn't presume to know about you and your life or choices.

Don't know what your problem is.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

20. Black Friday is for sitting at home eating turkey sandwiches and nursing a red wine hangover.

What's all this about shopping, then?

[Blue_Tires]

77. Black Friday is for actually TALKING with friends and family

since everyone isn't shoveling food into their pieholes

[omega minimo]

154. "since everyone isn't shoveling food into their pieholes"

Great post! :spray: Happy Thanksgiving.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

188. Well unfortunately I don't have the option of arguing with my family...

...so I'll opt for the turkey sandwiches.

[EFerrari]

22. I never go out that day but you know what, I have a feeling this Friday

is going to scare the hell out of retailers all over the country. Nobody has anything to spend. :shrug:

[omega minimo]

30. Well, there's that.

All the more reason for the whole damn country to stay home.

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. My usual groceries and my usual cup of coffee at a LOCAL coffee shop

maybe.

[arcadian]

24. I will buy nothing on Friday

Those first posters are trying to push your buttons.

[vadawg]

28. or they/I just dont agree with the OP, but more power to him

if he stays home, then it makes maybe one less loony in the store i have to deal with :)

[omega minimo]

32. Buddy you ARE the loony in the store that the rest of us stay home to avoid.

:rofl:

[vadawg]

49. nah unfortunately for me for part of the morning ill be watching the loonies

and hopefully no one will do anything dumb...

[omega minimo]

55. you work at the mall?

[vadawg]

56. no sheriffs dept. friday morning is a busy day....

[omega minimo]

63. Hope there aren't any freakouts or accidents for all those staffing and attending the shopping zones

[vadawg]

66. yeah we have a civil disturbance unit ready to go this year just in case

and their are EMTs going to be in position as well. Hopefully it all goes okay so i can get some shopping done as well and no one gets hurt...

[conscious evolution]

109. Is that not a statement on how fucked up our country is or what.

Having riot police and medical personnel on standby for shoppers?
That is so fucked up it ain't funny.

[omega minimo]

125. Yes

[SammyWinstonJack]

192. No kidding, right?

All the more reason to stay home. :silly:

[arcadian]

113. Henrico?

The only place I can think of gearing up like that would be Short Pump. Or somewhere in Nova.

[vadawg]

176. NOVA, its all a precaution just in case it goes bad,

[Kievan Rus]

184. It speaks volumes

It speaks volumes about our country and its addiction to stuff...we actually have to have cops in full riot gear prepared on Black Friday.

I personally think it's a good idea, however...especially after the tragedy in New York last year at that Wally World. Personally, I think a few riot cops should be outside all the stores to keep people from doing anything stupid.

[Warren DeMontague]

26. I'm going to buy a giant box of double negatives.

And some porn, and meat.

And vaccines.


But not nothing else.

[omega minimo]

73. can't get much more pornographic or naked than meat, there's antibiotics in it

and you can double negative yourself :wow: :spray:

[Warren DeMontague]

87. The Zen Poet Basho once wrote, "A flute with no holes, is not a flute...

and a donut with no hole,

is a danish"



You take drugs, Danny?

[Arctic Dave]

27. Does drinks at the ski lodge count? Other then that, I'm not a huge fan of crowds of idiots.

[omega minimo]

35. Hot buttered yum

[Luminous Animal]

33. I'll buy nothing on that day or the day after...

or the day after that.

We buy nothing but ingredients for cookies that are so fucking good that our friends have threatened to disown us if we don't make them.

[omega minimo]

34. LOL Beautiful.

[Luminous Animal]

38. We bake every night for 3 weeks and make about 12 varieties equaling about 3000 cookies

and then we spread the love.

[omega minimo]

42. Love it, Luminous.

:yourock:

[vadawg]

50. id rather if you gave me a DVD or something this year aunty luminous :)

[Luminous Animal]

58. You have no fucking clue, dude.

My husband is a master baker and when he threatened to stop baking cookies because we only have a conventional home 2 shelf oven, our friends took up a collection to buy him a (used) $4000 8 shelf cookie baking oven. His cookies are out of this world and it is a privilege to assist.

[omega minimo]

60. Wow.

[Luminous Animal]

70. And he does it all for love.

It is pretty incredible. Most of our friendships are a result of his baking. We pretty much drink for free all year long at the local bar in anticipation of several dozen xmas cookies.

[omega minimo]

75. LOL This is great.

:spray:

[vadawg]

62. id still rather have a DVD or something, not really a cookie person

[omega minimo]

65. LOL

:rofl: :rofl:



:donut:

[TicketyBoo]

108. You simply have never had

the right cookie.

[vadawg]

177. lol trust me i have had the right cookie, straight from holland ;)

[prairierose]

39. This has been my goal for several years now...I

prefer not to leave the house that day.

[omega minimo]

45. It can be a day of peace and quiet

:thumbsup:

[CrispyQ]

130. I hate malls. I hate shopping.

I always feel like a stranger in a strange land when I go. You have to watch out for people as they gaze, mesmerized, into the store windows, wandering into your path, completley oblivious that other people exist. I don't go near malls this time of year. It's not safe until at least a couple of weeks into January.

[csziggy]

155. You go to malls at all? I haven't been to one for at least five years

And that was a quick dash in and dash out to comparison shop at one store. Malls here just do not have the kind of stores where I prefer to shop.

[OhioBlue]

44. I plan on going to the local outlet mall

to find some bargains on clothes for the nieces and nephews. If I really feel up to it - maybe Toys R Us for some Thomas the Tank Engine stuff for my son.

[Touchdown]

52. That's a good reason, but I don't want to be a party to a trampling of some child.

... or even a witness to it. Those BF shoppers are crazy! :scared:

[napi21]

57. I do all my shopping online. I wouldn't got to that BF insanity

for anything! The GREAT DEALS have 1 or up to 4 per store, and it's not worth my time, safety or life to endure such abuse! If you like, knock yourself out!

[Initech]

71. Probably the most I'll buy is lunch and beer but that's it.

Not spending my money on a bunch of stupid shit.

[Better Today]

78. Unless you're willing to boycott till things change, refusing to shop on a particular day makes

NO DIFFERENCE, except in the perception as to whether or not the economy is recovering, and hence whether or not employers plan for hiring come the first quarter of next year.

I realize you think it would be cute, but if you think it through, it's nothing to refuse to shop on Black Friday, and could make things worse for many of us.

[omega minimo]

79. I have thought it through. I don't agree with you. I also don't deny you your POV or call it "cute"

or worse.

If YOU thought it through, you'd see it differently and wouldn't be trying to insult me to make your point.

[Better Today]

169. Please explain, because thinking it through again, doesn't make your idea any better.

Please explain how a one day boycott does anything at all useful to anyone.

[SidDithers]

104. +1...

deferring your shopping until a time when prices are higher only puts more money into the hands of the evil corporate giants imagined by the OP, and means that the purchasing power of the most needy is reduced.

One-day boycotts are idiotic.

Sid

[proteus_lives]

83. I work Friday, I hope there are TONS of people out and about.

More customers means more shifts for me. :thumbsup:

[Codeine]

84. Profit for our company means

that I still have a job in 2010. But some of these people think it's all about "stickin' it to the man!" :eyes:

[proteus_lives]

118. Yeah, some of us have real life to worry about.

I'll let the latte-revolutionaries rant and condemn but I'm more interested in working and paying the bills.

[jamesofthecommons]

85. Black Friday,

Actualy the corporate rulers of America have arranged things so that ''we the people''must in order to live,purchace their goods and services.Sure,it may be possible to purchace less from them, or even purchace nothing for a few days,however you will soon find it impossible to ''legaly''survive for an appreciable period of time unless you either directly or indirectly contribute to the fiscal wellbeing of the corporations.In the event that a significant number of citezens were to negativly effect corporate profits, ''via refusing to make purchaces''the government,''which has largly been privitised by the corporations'',would be ceartain to take measures to force the flow of capital towards the corporate coffers.The US government has already decided that our national security and corporate profits are inseprable.I am of the opinion that a loss of individual and,or collective freedom is paramount to a breech of national security.Sadly,the corporate controlled government does not think this way.

The politicaly savy amongst us realize that our socioeconomic-political structures function not to promote greater freedom, nor even material wellbeing for the American people, but rather to assure that the corporate and financial elites maintain and enhance their dominion over the citizenery.I have made the observation that at the heart of the corporate elite control apparatus, lies a myrid of disfunctional thought patterns,prejudices and accepted myths which are collectivly shared by large numbers of Americans and serve as a means of insuring that there will be no effective citezen rebellion against corporate control.Take for example the fact that large numbers of Americans accept the notion of ''natural scarcity'' as a priori,therby ''supposedly'' justifying rabid compitition for natural rescources.Of course then that compitition leads to the centralization of wealth,man-made scarcity,poverty and the nessecity of surrendering personal freedom in order to conform to the demands of the market place.The corrupt elite have long understood that natural abundance and diversity are key to any possibility or expression of human freedom,thus in order to curtail human liberty the elite have taken great strides towards the creation of both the illusion of natural scarcity, and the reality of the same via the commercialization of nature.It is in fact the commercialization of nature, which makes economic divorce for the individual from the demands of the corporations imposssible.

[vadawg]

86. i guess you made the computer you are writing this on from organic wheatgrass and oats

then your just as much a "victim" as everyone else so you may as well come with me to target and help me carry the new big screen TV im buying for my bathroom...

[jamesofthecommons]

89. Reply to 90

Actualy this computer was made largly from sand,oil and other natural resources,to varied for me to even discuss.

It is very possible to say much while not saying any thing at all,your post is proof of that.

I hope the tv you are buying was not manufactured in a place where people are forced to work overtime at gunpoint.This is something that is going on in many developing nations,with the approval of our corporate ownend government.Of course as long as you can pretend to be an elitest,''wanna be ''I doubt that you even care.

[vadawg]

90. i hope the TV was made by people not working overtime but i dont mind still at gunpoint

as long as it keeps the price down, i am wondering how a revolutionary like yourself finds the time to post online when they should be out there fighting the corporations, i guess i should feel blessed that you have taken the time to post here, but my main question is are you free on friday to help me load my new big screen TV into my truck. Thanks..

[jamesofthecommons]

93. Reply to 94

94 ;Vadawg,the pen is mightier than the sword.Many of the worlds most prolific revolutions were began by concerend persons who wrote about their convictions.

As for friday;yes I will be free to help you load up your tv ,for the price of you then donating that tv to your favorite charity !

[vadawg]

94. no problem, im sure the fathers at my church would love the TV

and i could always do with the tax break... :)

[jamesofthecommons]

95. Reply to 98

Since the church fathers are going to be the recipients of the new tv,I am ceartain that they will be more than happy to help you load that tv. Being that you will not need my help tomorrow I plan on researching the means by which private corporations are able to operate at a profit in what are supposedly communist countries which we are told, do not allow profit seeking.If you do need my help my number is listed in the white pages ,find it and give me a call.

[omega minimo]

128. maybe the fathers at your church could help you develop a conscience.

[Warren DeMontague]

168. Nope, no "judgment" on display in this thread, no sireee.

That's right. No Sir.

[omega minimo]

172. No humor either. Either way, this statement does not exhibit a conscience or consciousness

of the issues it was a response to:

"I hope the TV was made by people not working overtime but i dont mind still at gunpoint as long as it keeps the price down."

YMMV

[vadawg]

178. dude i was being sarcastic, jeez do you really need the sarcasm thing to see that..

[omega minimo]

179. Exploitation of labor far away (and here) is part of the concerns of this discussion

Happy Thanksgiving.

[Warren DeMontague]

167. When they wrote about their convictions, did they usually put a space after a period?

Just curious.

[onenote]

111. +1

[omega minimo]

146. "economic divorce" may be impossible

an occasional separation, events without each others' company, separate friends and activities, balanced communication, all that can be healthy for a relationship.

We don't have to buy all their stuff.

[madokie]

88. Let me see

last year we bought a frontload washer and dryer set for half of what the same pair cost today

[jdadd]

91. I will buy nothing.....

But mostly for a different reason,I don't like to fight the crouds. I'll probably stay home and clean out the garage.

[madinmaryland]

101. +1,000!!

That's the reason I have not been out on the day in 30 years.

[cali]

92. I make my xmas gifts. have for years.

yes, it involves buying yarn for crocheting. I'm also buying some glass to make a couple terrariums. I bake and make up gift baskets. I have a ton of fun doing this every year. I start in the summer.

[samplegirl]

96. Nota thing

Zip!!!!!!!!!!! Most of my shopping will be done online again this year.

[Nikki Stone1]

97. I like this.

GREAT IDEA AND GREAT POST!

[MadHound]

98. I never go out on Black Friday, I can't stand the crowds

I don't like feeling like a cow being herded to the slaughterhouse.

Instead, I'll stay home, catch up on some work around the place, and enjoy friends and family.

[Individualist]

114. Same here. I'm going to stay home and make marshmallow fudge.

[omega minimo]

129. "I don't like feeling like a cow being herded to the slaughterhouse."

Well put.

[Echo In Light]

100. Not only will not buy anything, will not step foot into a store

... aside from the locally owned gas station I use in the a.m.

[MattBaggins]

102. I will support the cause but unfortunately my wife

will be how in that whole silly nonsense

[lonestarnot]

103. I don't plan on getting in that mess.

[a la izquierda]

105. other:

my nieces and nephews are getting gift cards that we bought using our debit card points. my sisters, siblings in law, parents and the aunt and uncle i buy for are getting either calendars i bought and the money goes to support my university, or framed photos i took from my travels in Mexico. so, i won't buy anything tomorrow, except a beer with my girlfriends who are back in town.

[Sebastian Doyle]

106. I never participate in that orgy of commercial insanity

Not so much for political reasons as it is just not being a big fan of crowded stores. I also refuse to set foot in a mall any time between Thanksgiving and New Years. Of course it's even easier to keep that commitment when you're broke and don't have money to spend anyway.

[nc4bo]

107. Except for food, light bills, etc. I can't afford to buy a dern thing.

But I would if I could.

I'm stuck between passionately hating corporate America and admiring my single, hard-working neighbor down the street and her effort to support herself and her 2 kids.

[bvar22]

110. We do that everyday.

In 2006, we cashed out, moved to The Woods, and planted a BIG garden.
We also keep chickens and HoneyBees.

We grow a good percentage of our own food.
We BUY almost nothing new.
Our "taxable income" is LOW, but we live well.
What we can't build ourselves, we buy 2nd Hand, directly from the previous owner when possible...or do without.
We don't use credit or pay a mortgage.
We barter with neighbors when possible.
When we are forced to buy, we use a locally owned small business when possible.
We are still on the Big Corporate hook for some things like Energy, but are steadily reducing our dependence.


We are still registered "Democrats" and members of the local Party, but that is probably going to change in the near future. Our focus has become local Humanitarian Issues, and methods of denying funding to Corporate America and their bought politicians.

WE are no longer Good American Consumers.

Next year, we will consume even less.

We realize we are fortunate to be in a situation to do this.
It is not for everybody.
We have no dependents, are both healthy and strong, and have a complementary set of skills to make this fun.

Peace to all.
:hippie:

[omega minimo]

133. That's an option and a dream for some

Beautiful garden!


Unfortunately, the naysayers here (always belligerent for some reason) pretend that it has to be ALL OR NOTHING. which defeats the purpose of being active/aware of our purchase power.

[csziggy]

156. +1000

[SammyWinstonJack]

194. I envy you and your garden is beautiful.

:-)

[onenote]

112. I have the flu so i'll stay home and shop online

I've read every post in this thread and I still don't know exactly what the OP thinks will happen if no one on DU shopped on Friday.

[bridgit]

116. Food is in, we're on hiatus, our people know it's going to be a Charlie Brown Christmas...

And we've neither scheduled nor planned for any non-discretionary purchases or spending till after the first, so I'm already there :thumbsup:

[RedCappedBandit]

119. I'm not buying anything

I'm especially not buying into this materialistic society we have going on.

[earth mom]

120. I agree that we should withhold our buying power, but it needs to be done on a more regular basis

and maybe not on the busiest day of the year.

But I voted yes, because I do believe we could shut those bastards down financially if we all really wanted to. :evilgrin:

[onenote]

140. and after we shut them down financially... what happens next?

Let's say you accomplish your goal of forcing companies (big and small) into bankruptcies and the economy into total failure. What happens after that?

[glen123098]

123. Why does it matter what day you buy something?

Regardless of if you buy something tommorrow or two weeks from now you're still helping out corporate america. I don't get it.

[CrispyQ]

126. How does boycotting for one day do anything?

It's like those campaigns to not buy gas on a certain day. If you participate, you buy gas the day before or the day after, but you've still bought gas. Big deal that you didn't buy it on a particular day. I'm all for starving the beast, but you can't starve the beast in one day. It's something that has to be a daily routine. Question what you buy & if you really need it. Try to support local businesses instead of box stores.

[omega minimo]

158. "You can't starve the beast in one day. It's something that has to be a daily routine"

This post/question contains some answers too.

"How does boycotting for one day do anything?"

Sends a message. Causes people to think. Educates. Informs. Suggests possibilities of broader action. Causes shopping addicts to go cold turkey. Avoids the dehumanizing madness, mayhem and possible injuries of the malls. Proves Americans have spine and are tired of being screwed by the system and elected leaders in collusion. Shows we know our vote with $$ is more effective than the vote at the ballot box. More time for the game or talking to relatives. Challenges corporate government. Provides peace and quiet for the stay at homes ...... Other? All or None of the Above?

"t's like those campaigns to not buy gas on a certain day. If you participate, you buy gas the day before or the day after, but you've still bought gas."

If the point was to organize/combine efforts to send a consumer message --yes it matters. It's also possible to make individual differences with our individual/family decisions whether any one else knows or not. (Some here who are most resistant to the concept don't want to consider that possibility of their own power).

"Big deal that you didn't buy it on a particular day."

Okay. Maybe, maybe not. One thing to consider is that if it makes anyone THINK about this and CONSIDER THEIR OWN OPTIONS, that is a result.

"I'm all for starving the beast, but you can't starve the beast in one day. It's something that has to be a daily routine."

Changes in the daily routine can be the result. They can be small or large, suitable for each one's situation. At the very least conscious decisions. Not "All or Nothing" which defeats the purpose and is just an excuse for those who don't want to think about this at all. Easy out.

"Question what you buy & if you really need it. Try to support local businesses instead of box stores."

Two excellent points. Doable for most of us.

Thanks for your post. Happy Thanksgiving.

[NoPasaran]

127. By this time tomorrow, I may own a Hi Def TV

[Bozita]

139. You're a football player, right? ... And you're wearing your uniform and pads tomorrow, right?

[NoPasaran]

150. Taser and tube socks filled with nickles

That's how I roll.

[SidDithers]

131. Dumb idea...

deferring your purchases to when prices are higher only gives more money to "Corporate Ruled America", and reduces your own purchasing power.

Like it or lump it, unless you make and grow everything yourself, you're a shopper and a contributor to "Corporate Ruled America".

One day boycotts are idiotic. A better strategy would be to not buy anything during the whole year, then buy everything you need on Black Friday, when prices are lowest.

Sid

[omega minimo]

138. It's not Either/Or. All or Nothing. What's "idiotic" is black and white thinking.

:crazy:

[onenote]

142. actually, what's idiotic is unexplained thinking

Still waiting for an explanation of what the "end game" is for a one-day DU boycott of retailers? Exactly what do you think would be accomplished?

[SidDithers]

148. There are quite a few of us interested in that explanation...

but I not going to hold my breath waiting for it. The OP's idea is a poorly thought-out, meaningless gesture.

Sid

[omega minimo]

153. Nonsense. The attendant hostility and insults of those who refuse to even consider the concept

and options, reflect their own "poorly thought-out, meaningless gestures." It's either defensiveness due to "poorly thought out" or offensiveness with an equally "meaningless" agenda.

Take you sanctimony and pour some gravy on it, Sid. Happy Thanksgiving.

[SidDithers]

157. The concept is dumb...

People who need an item, say, a new winter coat, would be better off buying it tomorrow, when it might cost them a bit less. That way, they might be able to keep warm, and have a bit more available to pay their phone bill (or their rent, or mortgage, or electricity etc). Unless they're eliminating the purchase altogether, deferring it does absolutely nothing. You don't want anybody to buy anything. That's unreasonable. We're all consumers.

So, take your judgemental attitude and stuff it (in the turkey).

Sid

[omega minimo]

159. What judgment?

Judging your obtuse insults at face value, Sid. Otherwise, the OP and thread are not judgmental at all.


"You don't want anybody to buy anything. That's unreasonable. We're all consumers."

That kind of nonsense version of what's been said here makes it hard to tell if you are intentionally missing the point or playing some game.

[onenote]

160. it would be a lot easier for people to understand your "point" if you actually explained it

if you could point to the post where you explained what using (actually not using) the "vital power" we have (I take that to be a reference to our purchasing power) the day after thanksgivig is going to accomplish, short run or long run?

[omega minimo]

163. It's there.

And in future, if you would like a direct reply, try the civilized approach and drop the blunt force object. Works better. Thanks.

Happy Turkey Day. :hi:

[SidDithers]

161. The judgement on display through this thread...

" "need"? "prudent"? That's always a matter of opinion on DU. Some think they "need" that cheap BluRay"

"If YOU thought it through, you'd see it differently"

"maybe the fathers at your church could help you develop a conscience."



The judgement is in the attitude that you are the arbiter of what DU'ers should and shouldn't be buying, and whether their needs and / or wants are legitimate.

We all, even you, purchase things. We're all consumers of retail goods. If a struggling DU'er can stretch their meager shopping dollars, by buying when things are least expensive, why would you discourage that with a meaningless Buy Nothing gesture?

Sid

Edit: speeling

[omega minimo]

162. Oh BS. And you have cherrypicked replies to the most belligerent posters. Happy Thanksgiving.

If you're not too busy, Sid, maybe you could go after this one: "i hope the TV was made by people not working overtime but i dont mind still at gunpoint as long as it keeps the price down."




edit:

btw: " "need"? "prudent"? That's always a matter of opinion on DU. Some think they "need" that cheap BluRay" was a question, recognition of varied opinions and statement about what some think. NOT A JUDGMENT.

Surely DU is adult enough to handle a post that ACKNOWLEDGES the range of opinion and not MISINTERPRET IT as "judgment." Please.

[SammyWinstonJack]

195. +1.

:yourock: :thumbsup:

[Sherman A1]

204. A bit mean spirited towards Sid, whom

I happen to believe "does get it" and with whom I agree.

[omega minimo]

209. LOL

"A bit mean spirited towards Sid"

He starts off with an insult, adds another insult toward the concept, pretends to have the last word on the only POSSIBILE way to look at this, discounting all others, judging himself the expert on discussions of purchase power, judging others who may view it differently and then tops it off with accusing the OP of being judgmental.

:rofl:

Apparently you overlook his "mean spiritedness" because you agree with him.

The post wasn't only about that poster. Your defense of him, given his comments, is silly.

[SidDithers]

225. Thanks for the support...

unneccesary, but welcome :hi:

Sid

[Sherman A1]

205. +1

I too, will not hold my breath......

[HughMoran]

191. Yes, this is a pointless exercise

Putting off the inevitable to what end?

[Cleita]

132. Also, it would be a good idea as well to avoid contact with

other shoppers who might be carrying the flu virus.

[omega minimo]

134. Good point. And the STRESS!!!

[RavensChick]

135. I'm not going near that chaos!

Besides I'm gonna be at work anyway so I don't need to tackle the crowds like a linebacker. I already know who's getting what for Christmas so once the madness goes down I'll get what I need and that's all!

Good luck to those who are gonna brave the crowds. Remember: head down, elbows out and lean forward if anyone is eyeing the flat screen TV you wanna get. The best tackle is a good one!

[NC_Nurse]

136. I'm working. Yippee.

[omega minimo]

143. Here's hoping you won't be treating any shopping injuries

:toast: Happy Thanksgiving.

[NC_Nurse]

149. Really! No tramplings please!

;)

Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

[Bozita]

137. If there's football on my teevee screen, I ain't going anywhere.

[bigtree]

141. I hope folks buy stuff

. . . making my only living in retail sales.

[Sherman A1]

145. Agreed

Wether a large or small retailer those employees are very real, with real (if not always the greatest) jobs, those sales mean hours to them and paychecks so if there is something out there folks want to buy, that is a good thing. If not, I am sure they can make their own choices without someone attempting to pass judgement upon their choice.

[omega minimo]

152. What "judgement"?

What if there was a nationwide strike, a halt to the madness, a large signal sent to The Powers That Be that Americans are mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore?

If there was going to be a consumer revolt, under what conditions and on what particular day, would that be likely and effective?

What if the resulting citizen/consumer power improved people's lives, including those who depend on Black Thursday sales for livelihoods and gift giving?

OR

What if one person or a few people or a critical mass of people thought about their consumer power long enough to consider their own range of options, what the costs are, what the benefits are and made changes in their lives (or not)?

What if the resulting citizen/consumer power improved people's lives, including those who depend on Black Thursday sales for livelihoods and gift giving?

OR .....................

It seems like this year would be a good time to at least think about these things -- as many are being forced to.

[Sherman A1]

197. And if Wishes were Fishes.....

One can dream up endless "what if scenarios"... "What if Hitler had won WWII....?" "What if Lee had won Gettysburg....?" And it ends in nothing more than a mental exercise, which is fine if that is what you are seeking. Of course we could all go on a general consumer strike if it could be organized, but too what end? What is your ultimate goal? Where is the Prize? Do we change our society overnight by such an action without hurting a great many people (who work in or supply retail and desperately need those jobs). Just because your scenario stops the cash registers from ringing at a store like Best Buy, explain how it helps? What of the people who depend on those jobs up stream as well (the truck drivers, the people who service those trucks, the warehouse workers, the guy that fixes the forklift when it breaks down, the office staff, the guy who fixes the copier when it breaks down, the longshoremen, the ship's crews, the buyers, the many in the hospitality industry that benefit when the any in those businesses travel, the grocery employees (of which I am one) when those do something as mundane as buy food?

And what of the person who is in need of a new laptop or cell phone or whatever and is getting a good price on this day, thus helping them to save on something that they need?

I expect that many are shopping more prudently this year and trying to squeeze the best bargain they can on every purchase, but if they are not, who am I to pass judgement upon them?

People have in many cases already voted with their dollars, this is in part a reason we no longer see Circuit City, Home Quarters, Many Department Store chains, book stores and such.

[SidDithers]

199. Well said...nt

Sid

[omega minimo]

210. What if you didn't ignore my reply?

What if the resulting citizen/consumer power improved people's lives, including those who depend on Black Thursday sales for livelihoods and gift giving?

OR

What if one person or a few people or a critical mass of people thought about their consumer power long enough to consider their own range of options, what the costs are, what the benefits are and made changes in their lives (or not)?

What if the resulting citizen/consumer power improved people's lives, including those who depend on Black Thursday sales for livelihoods and gift giving?






You are acknowledging that people can vote with their dollars and that there are a range of actions and atitudes. We are not disagreeing. You don't need to resort to the negative point of view which binds people into behavior they justify as if someone is forcing them to do it. Maybe they are being forced. Maybe that's part of the problem that needs to be addressed -- to which being another sucker in a potentially life threatening checkout line is not the only solution.

[nsd]

171. +1

[SOS]

147. Will buy nothing. Period.

Underemployment = no Christmas gifts this year.
Staying out of bankruptcy court is all we can hope for now.

[treestar]

164. I buy notihng

I always relax on that day. I've always liked just mellowing out and doing nothing that day.

I hate Christmas shopping. I like Christmas. I just don't like the shopping.

[DailyGrind51]

165. I have very little money to spend on anything but groceries and utility bills!

Chicago has the highest sales tax in the nation (10.25%)!

[omega minimo]

166. Wow. That's high! Who knew?

Happy Thanksgiving, DailyGrind51 :hi:

[DailyGrind51]

218. Belated "Happy Thanksgiving" back at you, omega!

[omega minimo]

219. Thanks. The holiday cheer is still warm ........

(for those who stayed out of the malls) :evilgrin:

[flvegan]

175. I will not be buying anything tomorrow.

I will never do the gladiator-esque "Black Friday" thing.

Ever.

[roseBudd]

181. I am a procrastinator, I could never buy a gift before the last possible minute

[agentS]

182. I wish I had decent small businesses in my area to patronize

Wally World ran off the decent ones and so the only ones left are the crappy corner stores, the crappy hardware store that rips people off, and the stores which stock things Wally World don't but at ridiculously high prices (Radio Shack, I'm looking at YOU). There are a few "good" places in the area, though "good" is speculative. In the nearby city where Wal-Mart is, there are some specialty shops that worth a visit but I don't need anything from them tmw.

My mother is obessed with Black Friday, so I can't talk her out of it. All I can do is hope she don't get into a fistfight over the last baby bib on aisle 7 at Wally world. Me, I don't have time or patience for another black friday but knowing my mom she might drag me there at 5am anyway

I'm gonna go off on a tangent for a minute. My pet peeve with many small business is that THEY DON'T ADVERTISE ENOUGH! I can't buy a product or service from you if I don't know you exist. Sure, you might say "phone book" but that only tells me your number. That's good for when you're the only shop in town with that service (like the office supply store in Amite) but that don't tell me if you've got a sale or clearance or the new HDTV in stock. Put up flyers, website ads, mailers, something anything! Let the people know you're there and you got something they want! And treat them right when they do come in (Crazy old man at the hardware store, I'm talking about YOU)!

I've been patronizing small EBay buyers for years now. Christmas is a month away; maybe I'll just stick with them.

[Odin2005]

183. I avoid stores on Black Friday simply so I don't have an autistic menltdown.

Staying away from consumerist crap is a bonus.

[astral]

185. For many years, I was oblivious as to what "black friday" was

Even though I liked the Steely Dan song. I had no idea about the day after Thanksgiving being the biggest shopping day in the universe. Didn't have a TV, had nobody in particular bring it to my attention, and I had no reason to go looking for ways to spend bunches of money.

Now that I know about it, I certainly like to stay away from the stores on that day. What it really proves to anyone, I am a little confused about myself. If we had a day we all agree not to shop here or there for some purpose, to prove a point that we all are against something, that would be one thing.

I'm just not in to the "seasonal spending" fever. Maybe I was a little bit in the past, when I thought I had to buy a bunch of stuff for a bunch of people at Christmas, but I no longer give a blessed damn.

[Kansas Wyatt]

186. I never buy anything anyway

Jam packed stores annoy the hell out of me, and Corporate America can go fuck itself anyway.

Now, if they are selling 35" or 42" LCD tv's for under $50, I would have to remove them of one or two though.

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

187. i'll I'm setting my clock to get up and go shopping with my friends. sorry! nt

[unkachuck]

189. I will buy....

....NOTHING tomorrow and probably for a few more days after that....spending money on trinkets is predicated on having excess money to spend on trinkets....and I don't have excess trinket money since I've given up all plastic....

....yes I, unkachuck, have given up all credit/debit cards for the rest of my natural life....should I die tomorrow, let no piece of consumer plastic be found in my wallet or on my person, amen!

[varelse]

190. If I need something tomorrow, I will buy it

not likely to happen, but I'm not ruling it out either. Since we're completely stocked up on medical supplies, cat food, coffee and Thanksgiving leftovers, I'm unlikely to make any new purchases tomorrow.

[Twinguard]

193. I'm not a fan of the hordes of people scrambling for the limited quantities...

of cool toys for cheap, but I do tend to watch my limited dollars pretty closely, and I want to provide the best Christmas celebration possible for my wife and kids. I'll deal with the mobs for "80% off" type sales and DVDs for sale cheaper than the price of a rental.

I don't have the largest holiday budget, and I want to give my family the best possible Christmas. If that means I have to deal with the mobs at 5am, so be it.

Plus once I get the junk I want, it's an awesome spectator sport! =)

[salin]

196. other: I may have a few groceries... per starting the Christmas baking...

but I doubt that counts as black friday shopping.

[Iggo]

198. Is this like everyone agreeing not to buy gas on a certain day?

'Cause those one-day boycotts are super successful I hear.

[SidDithers]

226. Well said...

a perfect example.

Sid

[tjwash]

202. I've bought nothing for decades.

We actually make presents for family, and try to just enjoy the holidays and the time of year. I actually enjoy Christmas immensely. I like the spirit of the season and what it represents. I just hate how it has been kidnapped by rabid consumerism.

[Geek_Girl]

203. I'm looking for bargains online not interested in fighting the crowds

but there are some good deals on Amazon and online retailers and I get to shop in my PJs

[Danmel]

206. I haven't left the house

At all today. Not planning to either.

[Throd]

207. Actually I wish all retailers, large and small, have a great sales day.

[Hippo_Tron]

208. I'm confused, what exactly am I protesting by not shopping?

[HarveyDarkey]

212. I bought a case of beer

is that OK?

[omega minimo]

213. What do you think?

:hi:

[HarveyDarkey]

214. needed it today, didn't have to fight anyone

wasn't on sale. Since that's all I got, and will get, I guess I'm OK.

My rationalization anyway.

[omega minimo]

215. There you are then.

Enjoy your weekend. :toast:

[Donald Ian Rankin]

216. Why on earth wouldn't I? Who would it benefit to refrain from doing so?

I don't know whether I'll buy anything that day - some days I do, some I don't.

[omega minimo]

217. So you're in Cambridge now?

There's a link in the OP, it looks like it's an international movement.

And if you have any opinions on consumerism, (American) conspicuous consumption addicts, globalization, outsourcing or various economies, it might relate.

Or not.

[galledgoblin]

220. my housing cooperative seized a deal on an energy efficent washer/dryer set

we are plenty anti-corporatist the entire year, I see no issue with taking advantage of a great bargain.

[omega minimo]

222. Sounds like a good way to go

The concept seems to be to get consumers to think about it as much as send a message to The Powers That Be.

[SidDithers]

224. So you've backtracked from "Buy Nothing"...

to, paraphrasing, "if it's something you need, and it's a good deal, then it sounds like a good way to go".

Which is pretty close to what I wrote upthread.

Sid

[omega minimo]

227. I haven't backtracked from anything -- including my refutations of your misrepresentations

of what I have said.

The OP is a poll and asked a question.

If you want to know what I think, here it is:

The sort of black and white bullshit (sorry, but I'm sick of being badgered by you SD) that you and others try to reduce this issue to is -- intentionally or not -- an effective way of missing the point, thinking it's All or Nothing and giving people an excuse to not think it through, not consider their purchase power, not vote with their pocketbooks at all and mindlessly support a system that does NOT have their best interests at heart. NO, not even on Black Thursday, when people risk their lives for that deep discount.

Everyone's situation is different, everyone's background and experience and awareness are different; everyone's shopping options may be different. There are as many ways to think and act about this as there are individual circumstances -- as shown by several stories in thread. As I told one who got stinky with me I did NOT presume to know anyone's particular situation. That WOULD be judgmental, which this OP and thread is not.

It is hard not be to judgmental about the hostile ATTITUDES, of those who WANT to be offended and pretend there is judgment, so they can use it as an excuse to be nasty and not discuss the ACTUAL ISSUE. Yeah. They know who they are.

I also recognize that there are people who know that their individual choices make a difference even if nobody else knows about them -- and those who hide behind pretending it doesn't matter what they as individuals do when everyone else is doing whatever. That's the point where just THINKING about it, for some people will be new, a potential annoyance or possible revelation.

IMHO it's important to think about it, to make conscious choices, to not throw our power VOLUNTARILY out the window because (whiny) "what difference does it make." If enough people take action together, change happens.

[SidDithers]

229. Glad to see you've recognized that there's no single solution for everyone...

perhaps if you'd stated that in the OP, you would have avoided some of the criticism in this thread.

Sid

[omega minimo]

231. Glad to see you've recognized I never said there was

so BACK THE FUCK OFF!!!!!!!!!


" ... perhaps if you'd stated that in the OP, you would have avoided some of the criticism in this thread."

Don't blame others for YOUR priggish malassumptions and misbehaviors. Who the hell do you think you are? Even now, trying to shift blame for your asinine attitudes to someone else? !!!! :wow: :rofl:




THIS THREAD AND OP ARE ABOUT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. PERHAPS WHY YOU HAD SUCH DIFFICUTY WITH IT. :hi:

[omega minimo]

233. AND YOU'RE IN CANADA?!!!!!!!!!

Fer fuck's sake, yer not even in the States and perping this crap on this topic? :freak:

[Ocracoker16]

221. I bought nothing today

I don't buy stuff on Black Friday.

[Touchdown]

223. I didn't wake up 'till 1:30, so it was easy for me not to buy anything.

I was in my bathrobe 'till 5.:D

[omega minimo]

228. Did your team win?

[X_Digger]

230. My wife and I haven't done holidays in 15 years..

Not christmas, not halloween, not valentine's, not thanksgiving, not anniversaries, nor birthdays.

If you need a calendar reminder to show your loved one or kids that you love them by purchasing some trinket, you're doing something wrong.