BOYCOTT BLACK FRIDAY

D.I.Y./RE-GIFT/SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

In any capitalist economic system, the ordinary person is able to exercise power in two primary ways: as a laborer and as a consumer. However, in today’s economic climate, many of us are not only jobless, but corporate deregulation and lack of government oversight has allowed companies to manipulate and exploit unions and individual employees. We have all but lost our power as laborers. But we do still have power as consumers, and it is our power as consumers that must become one of our most heavily utilized tools in this fight to end corporate greed and get corporate interests out of government.

Consumer spending accounts for 70% of the American economy, and businesses make 25-40% of their profits during the holiday season.

Economists and those in government keep encouraging us to buy more, to do our part as citizens and consumers to boost the economy. In fact, in September 2011, American consumer spending increased by 0.6%, while income only rose by 0.1%, indicating that Americans are spending out of our hard-earned and patiently reserved savings. Meanwhile, corporations are receiving bailouts, tax breaks, and government subsidies without contributing anything to ease the financial burden of the average worker. Instead, they keep firing employees, sending jobs overseas, further limiting benefits, and using the money they’ve received through increasing profits and our taxes to fund their golden parachutes and radically inflating executive pay.

As buyers, I propose that we send a message to the corporations:

We will no longer allow you to stick your hand into the kitty of American government without accountability to the American taxpayer and consumer. We will no longer allow you to exploit your employees, both in the United States and overseas, without penalty. You have laid off and fired millions of American workers and reduced their access to adequate healthcare, pensions, and other benefits. You have committed corporate imperialism by bribing foreign governments into allowing you to abuse their citizens by making them work long, hard hours for little pay, thereby inhibiting the voices of those people in their own countries. This must end.

I propose that we refrain from holiday spending toward big companies and retailers this year. Boycott them on Black Friday… and then boycott them on Cyber Monday, boycott them on Christmas Eve—boycott them this holiday season entirely. This means refraining from purchasing any gifts (toys, electronics, jewelry, etc.) and decorations (lights, trees, wreaths, candles, etc.) from all big companies at all big retail chains, including any products they are trying to promote for the season (televisions, computers, clothing, furniture, cars, etc.). Instead, support small and local businesses, second-hand stores and consignment shops that benefit our communities, and local craft fairs, and/or make homemade gifts and decorations. This is the first step in becoming more self-reliant and creating sustainable local economies that work for everyone. By doing this, we can begin reclaiming our power from corporations and making ourselves seen and heard by the government that bends over backwards to accommodate them.

This is our chance to make an impact on the economy and to create memorable and intimate holidays for ourselves beyond the influence of the businesses that take advantage of our holiday spirit. Forego the fancy gifts this season: BOYCOTT!

Notes:

Two of the largest requirements of implementing this proposal include a) presenting the proposal to members of other Occupy Movements so that they can spearhead this project in their own regions, and so that it can gain national and/or global support, and b) researching which companies and retailers are most in violation of the ethics of Occupy and publishing/circulating a list of these corporations for consumers to use as a guide.