Boycott America

[Flabbergasted]

http://www.boycottamerica.org/

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" Martin Luther King, Jr

From the end of the Second World War to the break-up of the soviet block the balance of power between the east and west went a long way to keeping both sides in check. The threat of 'mutually assured destruction' helped prevent either side from using their military muscle to take an unfair share of the planets resources. Since the soviet economy collapsed under the pressure of the arms race, the space race and the onslaught of western capitalism, America has had no one powerful enough to hold them in check.

How can we, as global citizens contain America? We must ensure that it is not tempted to take advantage of its overwhelming military superiority, and begin to remove regimes which do not suit its commercial and political ends or ignore international protocols designed to protect the global environment? Non violent civil disobedience is fine if you're an American, and many good hearted citizens are taking such action - but what can we do if we don't actually live there?

Why Boycott America?
Well one solution is not civil disobedience but commercial disobedience - quite simply to stop buying products made by large American corporations. From cars to cola, from sportswear to software, stopping buying products from large American corporates sends out a loud clear message that we are have noticed what is going on, and we are not happy with it! -more-

But Will Boycott America be effective?
It will if enough people do it! Commercial boycotts have been successful in curbing the excesses of a number of wayward regimes over recent years. Your message will be particularly re-inforced if you let your local retailer know why you have joined the boycott, and that we would prefer to buy a more local alternative. Another way of amplifying the message would be to visit the websites of the larger American corporates and email them to let them know just how much stuff you haven't bought from them and why.

How do I identify which products are made by large American Corporates?
There are now a number of excellent websites providing regularly updated information on who owns who and what they get up to such as:
Corp Watch - Ethical Consumer - More

USA Owned Brands in the UK from krysstal.com

[DanCa]

1. We should do this nationally against the religious right.(nt)

[valerief]

2. Hey, I don't frequent Dunkin Donuts anymore because Bushie

owns it.

[noahmijo]

3. Well that will be easy. America doesn't make jackshit

We are a nation of consumers not producers. Even foreign owned car companies employ more Americans than any of the big three.

[Flabbergasted]

4. A few well placed boycotts in the right place!