General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIf political information about the businesses you frequent was available would it guide your choices
I.E. Imagine each shop had to have a document in the window indicating who they had voted for, what state resolutions they had supported, and the like. Would you look such sheets over, and would they influence your decision to shop there.
Bryant
Scuba
(53,475 posts)el_bryanto
(11,804 posts)Big corporations I know it's available; but local businesses takes a little more work I think.
Bryant
Scuba
(53,475 posts)... interesting how 'I Stand with Walker' signs rarely showed up on businesses here. But since I know where many business owners live, the sign in their yard keeps me from their business.
OffWithTheirHeads
(10,337 posts)Up to and including if Fux is on the T.V. I walk out.
Brickbat
(19,339 posts)Political contributions, sometimes; public statements and support for against causes, definitely; but the CBA is where it all starts for me.
noamnety
(20,234 posts)It's not any different than deciding to avoid a product because it contains pesticides or carcinogens. I don't think anyone has a 100% perfect record either as a consumer or a producer, but in general, given a choice, I try not to spend my money on things that will harm me (or my community) - long term or short term, directly or indirectly.
Or, looking at it another way, it's not so different than donating to a charity. I'm not going to knowingly donate money to a charity that's trying to restrict people's rights, even if they do some good with a portion of the money they get. If two organizations are running food banks and one promotes bigotry, of course I will give my donations to the other.
el_bryanto
(11,804 posts)In accomplishing whatever goals that charity has - if it has goals that you don't agree with than of course you shouldn't fund them.
On the other hand a business - say a chicken vendor - has as it's purpose selling you chicken. The owner might take some of the money earned and spend it on supporting or opposing Gay rights, but that has little effect on how good the chicken tastes.
Bryant
noamnety
(20,234 posts)The purpose of a charity might be to fund breast cancer research. And then we might find out that behind the scenes they are lobbying against planned parenthood. So they don't get my money.
The purpose of a chicken place might be to profit by selling me chicken sandwiches. But if part of their business model is to exploit women (hooters), I won't give them my business. Or, if supporting them means that I'm indirectly funding bigotry, of course I won't do that either.
The way we spend our money has consequences. It's not all about what we gain out of a transaction short-term (a chicken sandwich). If I thought that was the end-all of businesses and consumerism, I'd be a republican.
NewMoonTherian
(883 posts)I make it a point not to patronize businesses that post "no guns" signs, for instance. It's more a practical decision than a philosophical one.
If businesses did make their positions public in this way, I'm not sure how I would react. I would certainly favor businesses that expressed positions I believe in, but convenience, quality and price would also have a great deal of influence in making those choices.
badtoworse
(5,957 posts)gopiscrap
(23,765 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)K&R!
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)And one time I left an independent record store because I could see Bush/Cheney posters hanging back in the office.
Bandit
(21,475 posts)Why should my own money be used against everything I stand for..I support business that supports me.
Spike89
(1,569 posts)The thing with small and medium businesses is that the owner(s) are only a small part of those businesses. Without knowing how they treat their employees, what type employees they have, and a hundred other details, you're simply as likely to harm progressive/liberal causes as help them.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)bunnies
(15,859 posts)For that reason alone I will never go there. Forget that he has a reputation for screwing people over ever chance he gets. Like I'm going to give him $ that he can turn around and donate to some batshit teabagger? Not a chance in hell.
nc4bo
(17,651 posts)determine whether we want to eat there or not.
Raine
(30,540 posts)fell in love with that car and went back Monday hoping to buy it. When I got to the sales office I saw on the door a sign that said "NO Bozos, NO Democrats!" I immediately turned around and walked off ... stupid IDIOT cost himself thousands of dollars. I bought a car somewhere else later.
Chan790
(20,176 posts)kcass1954
(1,819 posts)I found out that it's owned by Karen Harrington, who's running for the second time against Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. She can do whatever she wants with her money, but she will no longer get any of mine.
DearAbby
(12,461 posts)I won't enter that establishment...same with Rush Limbaugh, I hear his voice, I turn around and walk out.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Is the service or item I need available at a store that would be acceptable to DUers? If so maybe, if not fuck it... I'll buy what I need where it's most convenient for me to buy it.
And forget In-N-Out... I don't care WHAT'S on their packaging. No one will take my Double-Double.