The Power Of Boycotts, Let Me Hear Your Opinion

[cincinnati_liberal]

I read this morning how the producers of 'gay themed' cartoons like Sponge Bob are fearful they may lose their sponsors over this homophobia. It made me think about how badly Sinclair Media got screwed (hahahaha) over the proposed documentary on John Kerry. We may not be in power, but we still account for 49% of America and that's enough to hit people in their pocket book. If the neo-cons and fundies are going to boycott people over homophobic idiocy, Then I say we start fighting back with our own. We can hold corporate America 'hostage'(for lack of a better word) and exercise power without representation. What do you think and who would you boycott?

[texastoast]

1. Stand together

Boycotts can be effective if almost everyone does it. Five or 10 percent of activists is not going to threaten anyone much, in my opinion, but if 30 or 40 percent boycot, we can make a big dent. The key is quick, effective communication and a spirit of participation.

I am boycotting Clear Channel and have been since they sponsored the "Patriot Rallies" shortly after the war, and worked on hammering the Dixie Chicks. Freedom of speech is a biggie for me.

[MADem]

2. People who are not victimized by the monopoly aspect

...and who have other sources, are boycotting WALMART--and they are feeling it. It was very easy to go to a convenient WALMART, but once their shitty attitude towards their workers, and their female workers especially, hit the news, to say nothing of their BUY CHINA - FUCK AMERICA policy, a lot of thinking people have voted with their feet. I personally know a dozen, maybe more, people who will not enter a WALMART except perhaps to use the restroom in a dire circumstance. And these aren't "boycott everything or anything" types--just regular people who are fed up with the way that corporation runs roughshod over everyone and everything that gets in their way.

I know a lot of people who now eschew (ha, ha, I make myself laugh--ES"CHEW"!!!) fast food joints, too. I think a lot of it has to do with that movie, which I have not yet seen, but I understand is instructive. I was a rare consumer of fast food in any event, but I've given it up totally--I like food that is less processed.

[Contrary1]

4. I wouldn't even use one of their restrooms. n/t

[cincinnati_liberal]

7. I hate them too

But unfortunatly they broadcast Jerry Springer and Air America in CIncinnati, so it's a serious conflict of interests, though I do mute their sponsors.

[MarianJack]

3. Even If It Doesn't Make a Difference,...

...I feel much better not giving those bastards any of my money.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

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

[noamnety]

6. I'm buying local and blue

I'm no longer thinking of it as a boycott, which has a negative ring to it. Instead, I have changed my shopping habits to support progressive and local companies.

I can't sustain a boycott (except Walmart, that goes without saying), but I can psychologically handle a change in habits to support certain companies, for some reason.

http://www.choosetheblue.com/main.php

[moggie12]

8. I'd like to boycott Fox advertisers

And also companies that advertize on Joe Scarborough's MSNBC show.

They are incredibly effective forums for spreading idiocy like this latest Sponge Bob thing.

[John Q. Citizen]

9. Boycotts are a tool that work well against some targets and

are useless against some targets.

The notion that a boycott is the proper tool for every (corporate) target is misguided.

Usually, a boycott not only employs loss of sales revenue but also a kind of public condemnation of the brand. So, often, companies who have warm/fuzzy brands are more susceptible to boycotts than are companies whose records and businesses are already perceived to be less than squeaky clean.

My guess is maybe about 25% or less of all companies are structurally possible candidates for a successful boycott.

Since launching a successful boycott requires a healthy investment of time money, and credibility, I would suggest picking targets wisely.

Also, a boycott needs a demand or set of demands that the target is asked to acquiesce to.

on edit, added text and corrected spelling.-

[ProgressiveDepot.com]

10. I built ProgressiveDepot.com as an alternate to boycotts

While I respect the sites like buyblue and choosetheblue, I wonder if people can really remember who is OK and who is not, and in the swirling world of political contributions, a company that contributes to conservatives may be doing so only because they are in power, not because the company shares their views. It stinks, but most companies deal in reality, not the politics they might prefer (if a company as a whole can prefer either party).

I built ProgressiveDepot.com as an alternative to boycotts. It's an online mall that includes many major retailers and brands, and we're giving a percentage of our profits to progressive causes, which our mail list members will help select. It may be non-profits, it may be PACs, probably a mix of both. But the main idea behind it is that every purchase will result in money toward organizations doing positive change. We're starting with 10% of profits being donated, with the plan to go to 50% if we get critical mass and the site prospers.

I didn't want to turn this post as a big sell job for the site, but the thread is relevant so check it out and give feedback or join the mailing list if you're interested in the idea.

[gorbal]

11. That's a better route to take

It's better and easier to build than to un-build.

[noamnety]

12. I have no problems remembering.

I don't know all the companies by heart, but most of my purchases fall within a narrow range (groceries every week, a local hardware store I regularly frequent, etc). It's been surprisingly easy to do. And surprisingly satisfying.

It's pretty easy to do research on the big chains - and easy to figure out places like home depot aren't just giving to Bush because he's in office right now. So I wouldn't discourage people from doing that.

It might be a nice addition to your site if you linked to the companies' contributions data, so people can make a more informed decision while shopping your site as well.

[Roland99]

13. Want to boycott? Ride public transportation. Stop driving your car.

If we got a few million people to stop driving and go for public transportation, we'd really hit the energy companies where it hurts.