we need consumer unions so we could organize boycotts or brick throwings. the most frustrating thing to me is no one seems to care. low prices are low prices, and who can be bothered to drive a little farther to shop.
Well, driving further creates its own problems, no?
To be honest, I'm a bit skeptical about the possibilities of consumption-based activism. It seems like it's got potential in theory, but in practice it usually just amounts to rich (white) folks buying higher quality goods at higher prices. E.g. Suburban families who object to factory farming and thus buy all organic foods at Whole Foods (or, if they're a bit more radical, their local co-op) -- while it's great that they're "voting with their dollars," the cost difference is substantial enough that it's not really a feasible option for someone who, for a random example, works at Wal-Mart (especially if they're trying to feed a kid or two).
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Personally, I think we need a new international union movement (or the 21st century equivalent, since unions are seen as so antiquated).
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To be honest, I'm a bit skeptical about the possibilities of consumption-based activism. It seems like it's got potential in theory, but in practice it usually just amounts to rich (white) folks buying higher quality goods at higher prices. E.g. Suburban families who object to factory farming and thus buy all organic foods at Whole Foods (or, if they're a bit more radical, their local co-op) -- while it's great that they're "voting with their dollars," the cost difference is substantial enough that it's not really a feasible option for someone who, for a random example, works at Wal-Mart (especially if they're trying to feed a kid or two).
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