I got this from the message boards at the Democratic Underground: I'm not sure how much of an impact it will have, but I am going to do it. Peace, Ceres Not One Damn Dime Day - Jan 20, 2005 Since our religious leaders will not speak out against the war in Iraq, since our political leaders don't have the moral courage to oppose it, Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20th, 2005 is "Not One Damn Dime Day" in America. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" those who oppose what is happening in our name in Iraq can speak up with a 24-hour national boycott of all forms of consumer spending. During "Not One! Damn Dime Day" please don't spend money. Not one damn dime for gasoline. Not one damn dime for necessities or for impulse purchases. Not one damn dime for nothing for 24 hours. On "Not One Damn Dime Day," please boycott Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target... Please don't go to the mall or the local convenience store. Please don't buy any fast food (or any groceries at all for that matter). For 24 hours, please do what you can to shut the retail economy down. The object is simple. Remind the people in power that the war in Iraq is immoral and illegal; that they are responsible for starting it and that it is their responsibility to stop it. "Not One Damn Dime Day" is to remind them, too, that they work for the people of the United States of America, not for the international corporations and K Street lobbyists who represent the corporations and funnel cash into American politics. "Not One Damn Dime Day" is about supporting the troops. The politicians put the troops in harm's way. Now 1,200 brave young Americans and (some estimate) 100,000 Iraqis have died. The politicians owe our troops a plan - a way to come home. There's no rally to attend. No marching to do. No left or right wing agenda to rant about. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" you take action by doing nothing. You open your mouth by keeping your wallet closed. For 24 hours, nothing gets spent, not one damn dime, to remind our religious leaders and our politicians of their moral responsibility to end the war in Iraq and give America back to the people.
The people who are likely to participate in this are probably the same people who rarely consume anyways. But, it is good to encourage a reduction of consumer spending. Whatever the purported cause is, it is beneficial.
What the hell does buying or not buying stuff have to do with Dubbya? Did he invent capitalism or something?
Well then, what the hell does it have to do with the war in Iraq? I just don't see any connection between the proposed action (or inaction as the case may be) and the current state of American Foreign Policy.
I agree. One day of boycotting something won't amount to shit. If people are going to boycott something, make it a prolonged doing.
I would like to see if it does have an effect. There have been several such protests- Buy Nothing Christmas, Buy Nothing Day and now this. If we keep coming up with these added together, that might make a difference. But really, I think it is a good way to get people to think about how much they consume. Especially the Christmas protest, that was during a time of rampant consumerism. Hey if you have to tell Liberals "Don't buy anything today, it'll show you are against the war!" so be it...whatever works.
The 20th is inaguration day, so it is a way to tell Bush that we do not agree with the way he is economically raping this country to support the unjust war...huge trade deficit, huge national debt, etc. At least that is what it means to me, if you want it to mean something different so it is meaningful to you, so be it. We are all on the same side....antiBush. This is just one of the many ways we can express our anger and outrage at his many stupid actions. Peace.
I agree with prolonged boycott and consistent protest being a key but still what could this hurt? Any action against the complex, no matter how small, is a good sign. Maybe this wouldn't be so small if more participated. How hard can it be not to buy something for one day?
