"Not One Damn Dime Day" - Jan 20, 2005

[Calvinist Basset]

I don't know who Amanda Campbell is, but a friend sent me the following e-mail, which indicated she was the author of it. I think this is a great idea! I plan to do my part!
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"Not One Damn Dime Day" - Jan 20, 2005

Since our religious leaders will not speak out against the war in Iraq, and since our political leaders don't have the moral courage to oppose it, Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20th, 2005 will be "Not One Damn Dime Day" in America; you will make it happen!

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 anything for 24 hours!

On "Not One Damn Dime Day," please boycott Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target and all other commercial enterprises. 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 24 hours, please do what you can to shut down the retail economy. The object is simple: We will 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. The lesson of "Not One Damn Dime Day" is also meant to remind them 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.

Another part of the message of "Not One Damn Dime Day" is that we support the troops. "The troops"--such an impersonal label--translates into our husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters--real people whom we love and do not want to lose. At this time, 1,200 brave young Americans and an estimated 100,000 Iraqis have died. The politicians owe our loved ones 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 military-minded conservative religious leaders and our politicians of their moral responsibility to end the war in Iraq and give America back to the people.

Please share this email with as many people as possible.

[Demeter]

1. An Excellent Idea--Consider it Done!

[latteromden]

2. I'll definitely pass it on! Unfortunately, I can't, considering we'll

be in D.C., more than 1,000 miles from home, and not buying anything when you're on vacation for only 4 days is a pretty big request.

BUT, I'll pass it on to everyone I know; thanks!

[Nikepallas]

3. I'll do it!!! great idea.

[RoeBear]

4. Pointless exercise

For starters how many people will do it?
My guess is less than 1%.
Secondly if you don't buy your milk and cookies on Jan 20th but go and get them on the 21st what have you accomplished?

Can you say Don Quixote?

[idiosyncratic]

5. But . . . it makes a person feel like they are doing SOMETHING!

Since we are so powerless in so many other aspects of our lives, boycotting gives one a feeling of accomplishment.

I've boycotted Shell oil for almost ten years because of what happened to Ken Sarawewa. By boycotting them, I am keeping his memory alive.

[RoeBear]

6. And that's what this is about?

Feeling good?

Use the power of your pen to write your congress person or a letter to the editor. Buy your milk and cookies when it's convenient for you.

[idiosyncratic]

9. Who said anything about "feeling good." I said accomplishment.

And, who said I haven't written to my Senators and others. I wrote to NPR today because of their terrible interview with the new Governor of Washington, Christine Gregoire!

The little bit of gas I buy doesn't hurt Shell oil at all, but I keep Ken Sarawewa's memory alive. That is worthwhile!

[Calvinist Basset]

12. Whatever.

Has no one ever heard of fasting? How about reading a book instead of going to the movies? Can you walk to work instead of driving or taking the bus? Simply put, there are many ways to do the boycott without having to do the "make up" the day before or after.

Do what you want. I'm committed to the "Not One Damn Dime" Day.

[Aviation Pro]

7. How about....

...not one damn consumable high ticket, white item or anything outside of basic sustenance (food, rent or mortgage, utilities, gas, etc.) for the next four years? Imagine the havoc it would wreak in the first month if all those who voted blue refused to buy anymore goods until the legislative branch got serious with governing the country responsibly.

There's only one way to get the Bushista's attention and that's to hurt them in the wallet.

[RoeBear]

11. Certainly a better idea than

a silly "feel good" one day buy cott.

[Blue-Jay]

8. This sounds like the fake "let's not buy gas day" email.

Remember that one?

[Calvinist Basset]

14. See my response above or below.

[Deja Q]

10. Great idea. I'll be sure to stock up on Jan 19, 2005...

And refill on Jan 21, 2005.

It's all pointless rubbish unless 60 million Americans do it every day for life.

Besides, it looks like the rest of the world is abandoning us by doing the same thing anyway. And not just for one day either.

[Calvinist Basset]

13. As I said above . . .

Has no one ever heard of fasting? How about reading a book instead of going to the movies? Can you walk to work instead of driving or taking the bus? Simply put, there are many ways to do the boycott without having to do the "make up" the day before or after.

Do what you want. I'm committed to the "Not One Damn Dime" Day.