BOYCOTT RED AMERICA

As of yesterday, I'm going to do everything in my power not to buy any products or patronize any businesses based in "Red" states. Yeah, I know that there are plenty of democrats in those states, and such activity on a large scale could hurt them as well.. However..

Look at the situation. You have the vast majority of creative and intellectual energy- as well as huge engines of capital- concentrated in states like California. New York. Illinois. Not only is half the population concentrated in these places, but this is where most of the real work gets done.

So now what do we see? The nation of New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago is being led around like a bull with a ring through it's nose by the citizens of Omaha. Boise. Macon, GA. To boot, we have to sit around navel-gazing and enduring endless amounts of self and external criticism of why "we couldn't reach those voters". Invariably, the blame will come and has started to come- we had the nerve to suggest gays should have the same rights as everyone else. We believe pregnant women, and not the state, should be making reproductive decisions for themselves. We didn't field a candidate who was fluent in the language of the dipshit "left behind" crowd, who didn't speak in awed tones of Jesus's imminent return, who didn't kowtow to the people who want this nation to be a theocracy.

I will say it now and I'm not going to stop saying it: Fuck That.

People pitched a bitch when Clinton and the DLC tried to co-opt the GOP on economic issues.. yet now we've got a whole bunch of folks who want us to become Dominionism lite? (I'm not saying don't frame economics issues in values terms- 45 million Americans w/o health insurance is a MORAL TRAVESTY)

If we're a 'minority party', we're a minority party made up of the brains and creative engine of this nation, and we're concentrated in the places that keep this country moving. If the podunk fuckwads in the sticks want to give us the finger because gays getting married bothers them more than the fact that they make seven bucks an hour, well, I say we hit them where it hurts; their local economies and their pocketbook.

Personally, I will do everything in my power, for the next four years, to not purchase products made in a red state- or patronize businesses that have supported Bush or the right wing agenda.

Just the solid red ones.

but I also think there was some funny business going on with the numbers. I will wait until Bev Harris's FOIA inquiries into electronic voting results, among other things, come back before making final judgements.

But I think the states that narrowly preferred Bush need to be taught a lesson, as well.

Truth be told, I probably didn't buy a whole lot of stuff from Texas BEFORE.

Well, 49% of them voted for Kerry. Guess that doesn't matter.

I'm a red stater and I wholeheartedly support your actions.

n/t

Except that I can't drive to Maryland to buy groceries.

Pick specific products, companies or areas of states. Boycott the Panhandle of Florida - that's where they stole the election in 2000 and voted for Bush at a 70%-78% rate.

Boycott the citrus industry in Florida - they give tons of money to the Repigs and Katherine Harris is a citrus heiress.

Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Miami went to Kerry. SW Florida actually has gone towards the Democrats more.

I live in Nevada and we worked really hard out here. I don't think the 48% that voted for Kerry should be punished along with the 51% that did. I don't think that boycotting the whole state is a good idea, just the companies that give to the Republicans

It's that simple. If my state went blood red and fucking nuts, I'd bail ASAP for a blue state, personally.

Not everyone can afford to just get up and move.

I'm glad that your personal situation is so flexible. Other people have family, jobs, businesses, and other interests that make it a little difficult to just pack up and move out.

don't think about jobs, family, friends etc. If only it were so easy. BTW how Blue is your state? 51%

then that state will have ZERO chance of ever going blue, leaving us out of power for the foreseeable future

I will gamble in Vegas.

I actually thought we were going to Carry NV. We drove out 2 weekends ago to canvass out by Reno. I'm hugely disappointed.

More than anything else, I want the Bush supporters to recognize the massive economic weight that us "out of touch elitists" can swing around if we organize and act effectively. Maybe that will make them think twice before saddling us and our children with a SCOTUS full of Scalia and Thomas Clones.

I just know I don't want any of my money going to these assholes if I can avoid it.

map... sickening. 55-44. California should NOT be that close

The majority of the counties in CA with large populations went for Kerry.

One thing to keep in mind with maps like these is that dirt doesn't vote. The central valley in California is red, but there are more pigs there than humans.

Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Humboldt... etc. etc. all Kerry.

Kerry won by a million votes, a similar margin to 2000. I agree it shouldn't be that close, but I can't figure out why ANYONE voted for Bush, period.

Orange County, CA. Huge population. Second most populous county in the state of California and the fifth most populous in the United States. Went red - 60/39.

Orange County, California was more red than the Nebraska counties with the two most populous cities - Lancaster and Douglas.

More red than the county with the largest city in South Dakota - Minnehaha. More red than half the counties in South Dakota.

More red than a third of the counties in Oklahoma.

If you're going to boycott areas because they're red, I think you need to start looking a lot closer to home instead of assuming that you know so much about the red states.

Buy California-grown produce, it helps out a Blue State and zings the Red State agriculture right in the eye.

If you only buy that from CA, you are penalyzing Wisconsin. We also make alot of beer.

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FIGHT! Take this country back one town and state at a time!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/

is the reason that we lost the election and the reason that we have become a minority party.

It is the reason that we only have 4 senators now in the 11 states of the deep south.

It is the reason that I had to watch a quarter of my family and half of my wife's family -- all long-time Democrats -- vote for Bush.

If the Democratic Party alienates God-fearing, gun-owning, NASCAR-watching southerners--even black and hispanic southerners!--then something is wrong with the Democratic Party.

Sounds to me like we've already alienated the people you mention, because we didn't make a big phony show of bogus religious pandering, unlike certain other political parties.

I suggest you ask that 1/4 of your family WHY, specifically, they voted for Bush. Then think about what the Democractic Party could (or should) do to rectify that. If it involves selling out basic principles, I'll say it again: Fuck that. We don't need TWO parties devoted to Theocratic rule in the USA.

I suggest you ask that 1/4 of your family WHY, specifically, they voted for Bush. Then think about what the Democractic Party could (or should) do to rectify that. If it involves selling out basic principles, I'll say it again: Fuck that. We don't need TWO parties devoted to Theocratic rule in the USA.

It has nothing to do with "theocratic rule" or "bogus religious pandering."

In my father's case, and in most of my family, it had almost everything to do with Kerry's life-long disdain for gun rights. My father has been an NRA life member for decades. The obsession of many Democrats with pointless gun control measures has alienated many gun owners. It did not used to be that way.

Frankly, given Kerry's abysmal record on gun rights, I had to hold my nose punching the hole for Kerry myself.

Among my wife's family, mostly devout latino catholics, it was largely about abortion and terrorism. Your display of anti-religious elitism is part of the problem.

And I say that as a confirmed irreligious athiest.

I believe in the separation of church and state. I think that makes me a PATRIOT.

I support a woman's right to choose. There's already one party in the USA that is working, actively (read their platform) to amend the constitution in such a way that all abortion, and many forms of birth control- such as the pill- would be criminalized.

I'm sorry, but my pro-choice viewpoint is non-negotiable. I think there are plenty of ways to oppose abortion, or at least work to reduce it, without criminalizing it, locking up doctors and women, (or, in the case of the newest senator from Oklahoma, sentencing them to DEATH)... For example, if the GOP was really interested in "life", don't you think they might want to make sure pregnant single women have prenatal care? Health coverage? Dare I say it, a liveable minimum wage?

Has your wife's family thought about that? Or do they just buy the line about "Democrats are baby-killers" and let it go there?

As far as "terrorism", well, I'm sorry, but anyone who genuinely believes that Bush has been making us safer-- and I guess this includes your wife's family-- I'm sorry, but they haven't been paying much attention. That's not my fault. That's not John Kerry's fault. That's not the Democratic Party's fault. The information is there... In my book, anyone who honestly believes that 9-11 and Iraq were somehow related, or that Bush's stupid-ass oil war has anything to do with "terrorism" or "making us safer"... is a lost cause. Now, the media is partly to blame-- But people need to take responsibility for using the space above their neck--- as more than just a hat rack.

Kerry came out and said, "I support the rights of gun owners". REPEATEDLY. He ran around shooting geese on TV. Frankly, as a lifelong Democrat, I don't give a fuck about guns, mostly. They're a problem, but I don't hold out a whole lot of hope that anyone can do anything about them in this country. And I don't care about Ted Nugent driving around in the backwoods with some long-faced, drooling dog looking to shoot critters. It's not really a front-burner issue for me. And I don't believe it's been a front-burner issue for the democratic party, for a LONG TIME. I find it much more likely that the GOP is going to start raiding people's DVD collections to confiscate their porn, or raiding women's medicine cabinets, to confiscate their birth control pills, than anyone is going to start running willy-nilly around the backwoods of this country taking away middle aged white guys' guns. It's not going to happen, right-wing black helicopter paranoid fantasies to the contrary.

My point with this thread? People can believe whatever the fuck they want. But if they're going to give me and my "coastal elite values" the electoral finger, I'll be DAMNED if I'm going to send my coastal elite DOLLARS their way. And I'm going to encourage all of my out-of-touch wacky elitist latte-sippin' secular liberal pals to do the same.

Oh, and one other thing- you think it doesn't have anything to do with "Theocratic Rule"...

Just Watch.

Kerry couldnt have done anything about gun control, what is he going to do about it? take everyones gun away? not going to happen, especially with a republican house and senate, therefore its moot.

terrorism? how do you fight a technique? the bottom line is that we are now more prone to terrorist attacks simply because Bush has created more of terrorists.

Abortion? Bush cant change that and he wont. Its a trajedy but since he's been in office there have been more abortions because of the economic situation people find themselves in.

what does this mean? it means that whoever voted for bush because of these issues is simple and gullible.

sorry if thats offensive, but people that dont think beyond the name of the issue have hurt the country. Now we have calls from france to bolster the ties of the EU creating a new superpower. Not only are we going to be poor, but also freindless. Thanks * supporters.

BULLSHIT!

I personally would rather be in the smart minority than the idiot majority.

It's basically what I was trying to say. I'm not going to "pretend" to be mainstream America when I'm not. I'm proud to be intellectual and educated.

That's right, just ignore me. I'm just a gun-toting, NASCAR-watching redneck--can a black man be a redneck?--with degrees from Dartmouth and Duke.

One thing I will not do is stoop to their level. If it means we lose elections, so be it, but I will not dumb down just to win. That's the moral equivalent of selling your soul. If those people are too stupid to see that Bush/Cheney could give two shits about them, then they deserve to suffer under their policies.

so we took the high road on civil rights, womens rights, etc.

that's what happens when you have morals.

they are gonna listen to their preacher.

I, for one, am tired of hearing how we should fight nice, when Dickhead Cheney is flying around the country telling ignorant crowds that Osama wants Kerry to win and that a vote for a Dem is a vote for another 9/11.


We didn't lose because we were too rude, we lost because we didn't fight back hard enough or smart enough. We got mugged, and its our own fault.

and I would have to drive to Pa or Fl to buy anything

Maybe what you should do is try to support local progressive businesses when possible. It's just an idea.

But you know, if the people in the great red swath really believe that they "don't need" us supposedly out of touch coastal effete liberals, well, let's see how well they get along without our cash.

You just have to look to find the ones that are dems...

Where in Tn are you?....I'm originally from there....

if you know a RED shun him or her - end your friendship and make sure they know why.

If you do business with a RED - kill the contract, return their check.

If a RED cuts your hair, fixes your car, does any service - tell them you are taking business elsewhere and let them know why.

GET IN THEIR FACE!!!! MESS THEM UP!! Hurt em - emotionally, financially, anyway but physically.

nowadays to frequent repug establishments.

They work very hard and believe the crap that the Repubs shovel. My mother's hairdresser is a case in point. She works extremely hard for a living but simply believes the fantasies that the Right push. I try to bring the truth out to her.

as for people with religious reasons to vote for Bush, well so what? If that's their belief, they should vote for BUsh. I have no quarrel there.

The very rich, same deal. It's in their best interests, they believe and of course they are right when it comes to taxes, to vote Republican.

What gets me are the middle class folks, not on the religious right (some who are actually prochoice) who vote for Bush. I just don't get it. They are the ones with the most to lose. Among these are people who have gay kids, who have daughters and granddaughters who will lose choice, other kids or grandkids who will doubtless be drafted when that comes back, who can't retire because the bad economy wiped out their stock market gains,who have benefitted from every social program the Democrats have given them and NEVER voted Democratic in their lives. THOSE are the ones I would like to punish, but you know, karma is such a bitch, it will deal them more punishment than any of us could give them. Their fate awaits them. Just a matter of time.

...but I guess that is what this forum is for.

If you would rather hate people county by vounty try this:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/countymap.htm
For example you can hate Nevada but still love Vegas.

if you tolerate intolerance. It is a paradox, but true. The only way to free ourselves from the intolerant ones is to SHOW THEM what intolerance is and does. In the long run we will be doing them a favor and saving our Republic in the bargain.

And of course I realize there are Kerry supporters in Oklahoma just like there are Bush supporters in Marin County.

But look at the map. Something needs to be done to make people- a large number of people- in the "heartland" realize that their FATES and LIVELIHOODS are TIED to the "Coastal Elites" that they disdain so much.

If I was gay, I sure as F*ck wouldn't spend my money in any of the states which just passed anti-gay amendments, starting particularly with the ones which passed gay marriage propositions that also preclude civil unions. Does this mean everyone in those states is a homophobe? No. But a point needs to be made, and driven home.

If you live in one of these states, or counties, and supported Kerry, hey- it's nothing personal.. but maybe you can take this as an opportunity to talk to your neighbors about their voting habits and attitudes.

...the same tactics to punish us.
After all they apparently out number us.

will undoubtedly deliver to NYC, Chicago, And Los Angeles.

I'm not terribly worried about that. The economic and creative engines of this nation reside in the Blue States.

makes economic collapse and 'starve the beast' take hold faster. and we're on the coasts, we can escape when through economic civil war we render this country one big debt ridden dust bowl. we starve them, they starve us, and in the end we'll win because we have more $ and friends in the rest of the world. they can keep their shanty and wal-mart dreams.

My county is LUCKY they voted Kerry!

But wow - that is a RED map. That hits me hard...

It would be hard to boycott that much Red...

The red has more acreage but the blue is more heavily dense population centers.

Boycott works, people! On my part, I have also been boycotting greedy companies that outsource our jobs. A side benefit other than saving money is that I find myself having a better discipline and attitude about the truly important things in life. Let crass consumerism be a thing that rightwing jerks worship. I refuse to participate in their sick society.

It gives me such a sense of satisfaction. I've been doing this since they stole the last election. Now I'm very aware of where I spend every dollar. I will actually spend more for an item/service if I have to to stay away from Republican establishments. Try it, it's fun!

"I will actually spend more for an item/service if I have to..."

Me too! I have done that. I often find that it's worth spending a bit more because I actually get better quality products/services. :)

Not to mention Dominionism is a heresy

Maybe that might make you feel a little better, but unless we can start relating and getting a dialog established with the red states you hate so, the neocons are going to keep control of the federal government. I don't like that, at all.

We need to go back to the drawing board here, and start being proactive, not go in our respective little blue corners. Though I'm sure the republicans would love that.

If I were gay, for example, why the F*ck would I want to send my money to a state like Miss. that overwhelmingly voted to deny my civil rights?

People boycotted South Carolina for their racism not too long ago, and it hurt them.

I'm all for being proactive- but the "proactive" ideas I've heard lately all sound like giving up basic principles and trying to reach out to the "left behind" dominionist crowd.

Sure, why not start arguing for more tax cuts for billionaires, while we're at it?

If the folks in the red states think that the half the country's population that comprises the "little blue corners" are so dispensible, I suggest we give them a little lesson in how much they need us.

I was born in and am loyal to Michigan (even if it goes red -- which so far it hasn't). The fact that I am an "American" citizen is an accident of birth, war and politics.
To me, "The United States" is an abstraction which does nothing for me save cause me to pay a second tier of taxes. Some of my ancestors on one side of the family were Tories and on the other some were Confederates (which is why I'm a fifth-generation Democrat, when you think about it), so I guess it's just a family tradition to give less than a shit about Washington and the Federal bloodsuckers who sit on high there.
I'd just as soon have as little to do with the Jeebuslandians as I possibly can. It's a personal choice. I refuse to send them any of the money I have left if I can possibly avoid it. Let 'em choke on their sanctimony, I say.
John
Resident of Saginaw, citizen of Michigan, ever more reluctant subject of the United States.

How are you planning on eating?

Are you boycotting meat? Potatoes? Wheat?

Boy are some people out of their minds.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

So, are you going to boycott counties that went heavily for Bush, or is your boycott limited to statewide results?

I'm going to put a great deal more thought into how, and where, I spend my money.

If that upsets or frightens you, too bad.

minded this "plan" of yours is. You claim that you're going to put "a great deal more thought" into your spending, but you're putting NO thought into this whatsoever. You're doing nothing but coming across as an elite snob. Oh, New York and California are so wonderful. Fuck the Midwest.

Yeah, that's brilliant.

If you want to boycott something, start with companies that supported Bush. "Boycotting" states where nearly half the population voted for Kerry is so ridiculous that I can't even put it into words.

So I have no intention of saying "Fuck the Midwest".

(And I can't stand New York City. Every time I'm on the East Coast I get the heebie-jeebies. I like how they vote, but I don't spend a lot of time there.)

Like I said in another post, the name of the thread is "Boycott Red America", not "Boycott Red States".

But am I happy with Nebraska, as an entity? No. Again, every county in your state went for Bush. I'd imagine it must be difficult for you to take.

But please- without resorting to name-calling or griping about my "elitism"- explain to me why I should be in a hurry to visit Nebraska and spend a bunch of money there, any more than a black person would have wanted to visit South Carolina while they were having that confederate flag flap a few years ago.

A majority of people in your state have made it clear where they stand. Hey, that's their perogative. But we live in a system where electoral decisions at the presidential election level are made on a state-by-state basis.. therefore, in some sense, it is reasonable to treat Nebraska as a single entity. So if Nebraska as a single entity is giving a big finger to me and mine and all we stand for, sorry, but I'm probably not gonna be visiting any time soon. And I say that as someone who has done the 15 or so hour drive on 80 across your fine state many, many, many times.

Finally, I'm really not into divisiveness. I notice skinner has removed the "fighting and acrimony" header from this section. I fully admit that I've been a mixture of stone-cold depressed and despondent and mind-nimbingly pissed off since wednesday- I'm trying to stomach feelings ranging from fear for my family's future to deep and abiding disappointment and disgust with my country. The only "constructive advice" that pundits seem to have, (mirrored by some here) is that my party needs to start abandoning any committment to things like reproductive freedom and civil rights for gays. Frankly, I find that suggestion far more offensive than the suggestion that maybe, just maybe, through a targeted boycott (of a fashion that I am open to dialouge about) we Democrats and Progressives can make our power and presence known for the next 4 years despite an under-representation in Washington.

I hate the people. I hate the attitudes. I hate the fact that it's loaded with ignorant idiots who voted for Bush.

I understand, however, that not everyone here voted for Bush and not everyone here is a right-wing wacko. I can see the difference and support those who have similar views.

You, however, seem to assume that because the area is red, it must be evil and fully Republican. Nothing could be further from the truth. Red state Democrats are likely MORE activistic because we're not complacent. We don't have the luxury of living in liberal central.

South Dakota elected a 33-year-old female Democrat to Congress. Until they ludicrously voted Daschle out of office, all of their Congresspeople were Democrats. You condemn them, however, because they're a red state.

Meanwhile, Orange County, California, the second most populous county in California and the fifth most populous in the US, went red 60/39.

60/39 is a higher Bush vote than Omaha, Nebraska. Or Sioux Falls, SD. Or half the counties in South Dakota and a third in Oklahoma.

But, Orange is in a blue state, so we'll give them a free ride, I guess.

All I'm saying is that all you seem to see is a red/blue world. If it's red, even marginally so, you condemn it. If it's blue, even marginally so, you applaud it.

There's more than red and blue. Very, very little of this country is on the outlying edges of either. You have the luxury of living in one of those very few. Be thankful.

we don't need your STEENKING Veggies! :o

On food grown and processed entirely in the state of Michigan, thank you. Fruits, vegetables, corn, wheat, meat -- all of it.
John
For out-of-season stuff, I'll buy Californian -- not Texan or Floridian.

About 51% of the voters in this country (if you actually believe the Diebold - enhanced results. Which I don't)

I am with you 100%. You are far more eloquent than I am, and you have stated my position perfectly. We are going to make a point of reading labels and the fine print on whatever catalogs and web sites we buy from. And in addition, fuck and double-fuck anyone who is wringing their hands over trying to appeal to the fundies. That is not what we are about, and never should be. We need to be resolute in our beliefs - we are the good guys here.

How inclusive of you. Perhaps you should bother to remember that "red" doesn't mean that everyone out here voted for Bush.

I live in one of your examples - Omaha. I sure as hell don't live here by choice, but I have family and other obligations that keep me stuck in this fucking place. I have a small business that has to survive here so that I can feed my family.

I did everything I could for the Kerry campaign and for local Democrats. My entire family and most of my friends voted for Kerry and got out the vote for him. It sure as hell isn't OUR fault that Bush won this election.

There were 56,000,000 Kerry voters, and many, many, MANY of them live in the states that you're suggesting we boycott.

Thanks a lot.

PLEASE explain to me why I should be in a hurry to send any of my money your way.

If you want to make a list of progressive Businesses in the Omaha area, hey-- bully for you. Really, I'm all ears... and will distribute it as much as I possibly can.

But Boycotts are one way of getting people to listen who otherwise won't. Think South Africa. Think South Carolina.

Just sayin'.

What does your ludicrous "theory" tell you there? Now what are you going to do? If the company is based in Omaha, but owned by a Democrat, still going to boycott?

Better quit going to Dairy Queen. Throw away your Fruit of the Looms. Quit drinking Coke products. Those three (and dozens of other companies) are significant holdings of Berkshire Hathaway, owned by Warren Buffett.

Sorry, but your whole theory reeks of elitism. It's like you're saying, "Oh, I'm so much better than you 'cause I live in a blue state."

You know what - you've already proved that you're less of a Democrat than most, because you sure as hell aren't inclusive. You talk about progressive values, then decide you're going to boycott 2/3 of the country because your narrow-minded vision of politics is red vs. blue with no middle ground.

You don't seem to realize that states aren't blue or red. They're a combination of the two.

But, if Bush wins a state by 500 votes, fuck them, right? Either you're with us or you're against us. Either you voted for Bush en masse as a state or fuck all of you, including the 49%+ that voted for Kerry.

No, thanks.

for dems to be at each others throats.... this is not the way to do it, impeachw. We're all pissed over the result, but it's NOT the fault of the red state dems. IF we ever get those states to switch it'll be because of them. So THANK YOU red state progressives. I'm with you all the way.

states back, let's pursue this idea of boycotting everyone in red areas, Democrat and Republican.

Yeah, that'll work.

I look at the state map of the US, and I see a big field of red.
I look at the county map of the uS, and I see a big field of red.

I refuse to sit here and do nothing.

I don't really give a flying philadelphia fuck if it makes me an "elitist", I don't want to send my cash to people who were too fucking dumb to figure out that the WORST PRESIDENT IN US HISTORY deserved retirement, not re-election. I don't care WHERE they live.

I have said the more targeted any boycott can be, the better.

Apparently that's not good enough for you.

The right wing doesn't have a problem with making sweeping geographical generalizations based on voting patterns. We're "out of touch, coastal elitists" out here... Hollywood is full of "liberals".

One thing I am sure as fuck NOT going to do is continue, business-as-usual.

Fruit of the Loom, Coke, Dairy Queen?

Yeah. No problem. Coke is great- if you want to take rust off of chrome. I think the last time I spent any money at a dairy queen was 1978. I'll have to see who Hanes is supporting... I mean besides the Jockstrap division.

In my opinion, we'd all do better if people were trying to support small, locally owned businesses, farms, etc. as opposed to giant multinationals, anyway. So, yeah, maybe you don't know where something is made or who the corporation that makes it supports- if it's made by a subsidiary of monsanto or GE. But if you support a small, locally owned or medium sized company, you have a better grip on who they are and where they're coming from.

Again, if you want to compile a list of progressive Nebraska entities, I'm 100% with you all the way. But although I'm open to tweaking, I'm not shaken in the fundamental rightness of this idea. I fully intend to vote with my dollars for the next 4 years.

Fruit of the Loom, Dairy Queen, etc., are owned by a company owned by a DEMOCRAT, and a very powerful one, at that. Yet, it seems you still want to boycott them because they're headquartered in a red area.

I've been heavily supporting locally owned businesses my entire life. Did you just have an epiphany that that's a good idea now that the country is red?

On the one hand, it isn't fair to the Kerry voters in those states. Then again, US forces bombed Fallujah today, which isn't fair to the thousands of people who didn't do anything to die for. So what are we supposed to do? Nothing?

I say boycott. Boycott them all. Start with the biggest companies and work our way downward. Why didn't I think of this?

(My family is orig. from NC. I will boycott them too. Fair is fair.)

We need to put up signs or spraypaint a big R on RED businesses. Just like THEY burn crosses or paint swastikas on the front lawns and doors of people they consider the enemy, WE need to put up signs saying "This business is RED" and then we REFUSE to do business with them. It will be a sign to others to KEEP THEIR BUSINESS away as well.

If you know a RED business owner, point 'em out to your friends. If you do business with them, go in TOMORROW and tell them they have lost your business and that of your friends.

POINT THEM OUT - don't let them hide in anonymity. Put a big RED "R" on their storefront, or SOMETHING.

GET IN THEIR FACES and let them see what it is like to be singled out for their political beliefs, to be ostracized and marginalized. They want to do it to YOU, so let's do it to THEM.

You might change some minds in the process and save this Republic.

would be for people to market "made in Blue State America" products than boycott red state products. They could be a hit in Europe (our answer to 'W' ketchup), and help it be understood overseas that we don't all live in Jesusland.

Here:http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2600099

say I get invited to go snowboarding in Colorado. It has that new senator, Salazar. Not only that, but it's where the OutBoard gang hangs out.

I say I should go. Not that it's about to happen.

Don't go to Sea Island, Ga.

I'm in a red-state currently and I don't care. I'll do what I can to support the blue businesses here. If the Democrats in the red states channel their money ONLY to Democratic business owners, we can help take care of each other.

I'm all for supporting democrat and progressive businesses, wherever they are. As someone noted in a different thread, Costco is an excellent example of a progressive, Dem-supporting business.

I'm really not trying to slam my red state friends. I'd imagine they're having a tough enough time as it is. I'm totally in favor of making any boycott as specific as possible, perhaps by compiling lists of "blue-friendly" red state enterprises. This would help us blue staters if and when we did HAVE to travel to a red state, as well!

My Wisconsin community is primarily red - so, many businesses here were very bold and outspoken when it came to supporting * . They will never see one of my dollars ever again. I will be compiling and distributing lists of the "blue-friendlies", and hell, my husband and I are more than willing to drive the hour and a half to the very progressive Madison and Milwaukee areas to do the bulk of our shopping (using fuel efficient vehicles and minimal trips of course). We can encourage others to do the same.

It really doesn't have to be an all or nothing deal. If you're surrounded by a sea of red, of course it's probably not feasible to launch a full scale boycott -- but every dollar you deny this machine will speak volumes.

I buy a lot of stuff online and from catalogs. Today I went through my recent mail and checked the addresses on the catalogs. I pulled out all the red state ones and called and told them to take me off their mailing list. I told them I would not support the economy in their area until the residents of their state had the sense to vote based on the best interests of the country instead of based on hate and ignorance.

Our economy is too interconnected to isolate geographically. CEOs in general give money to republicans, whether they situate in Omaha or NYC. If you buy pop tarts at a blue-friendly supermarket, Monsanto and the bushies get their same due.

Here's a better idea for a revolution. What do tinhorn dictators and billionaire despots value more than money? That's right, their nutsacks. As it turns out, 99.99% of evildoers-on-a-grand-scale are men. If their virility or fertility were threatened by the vox populi with a pair of scissors, well imagine Lysistrata to the 10th power.

and buy matches and burn the male enhancement drug supply. That would probably be adequate.

more than half of the country STILL voted for Kerry. Just because a state turned red does not mean they all supported shrubya.

I thought about this all last night.....the more I think about it the better the idea sounds. Target the repub donators, and the small business owners who you know to be scrub supporters. We can seriously fuck any one of them completely out of business if we just buy democrat!

We have INCREDIBLE strength in numbers......and it is not that hard to only buy from dem supporters.

I say get the ball rolling.....lets compile a list of the big scrubites.....grocery chains, electronic chains, etc.....

Hit em where it will hurt them the most.

From "The Great Divide: Retro vs. Metro America" by John Sperling.

Retronomics is supported by two pillars:
(1) the extraction industries—agriculture, oil, gas, metals mining, and forestry—and (2) national political power based on the alliance between the Southern, Prairie, and Rocky Mountain states. This political power ensures a flow of subsidies for the extraction industries and the siting of federal facilities—military bases, shipyards, atomic energy, and military testing grounds—that in turn ensure a flow of payments for personnel and maintenance. Altogether,
the excess of these payments over tax revenue collected amounted to just under a trillion dollars in the decade 1991–2001. They constitute welfare for the rich and middle class in Retro America, while Republicans do everything in their power to eliminate
welfare for the Metro poor. In short, Retro America prospers because it is on the dole and aggressively anti-Metro.

The Metro winners are Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. The Retro losers are Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. The 30 winners win largely because they receive subsidies
for their extraction industries and/or funding for national defense, including atomic energy. Among the Metro winners, Arizona and Florida receive agricultural subsidies but also significant Social Security payments. Alabama was first in the winner column,
taking in more than $100 billion beyond what it paid in taxes in the decade. Texas was the only Retro state that was a significant loser, but its losses were dwarfed by the big Metro losers. California led the way, paying $253.5 billion over what it received in subsidies. But California was not alone as a big loser: Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and even little Connecticut had losses of more than a hundred billion dollars.

http://www.retrovsmetro.org/downloads/chpfull/ch2_full ....

The Mormons have my permission to go fuck themselves. They can regress to the 19th century for all I care.

No, I'm NOT going to empower those evil, homophobic mfs.

Terry

think WI (blue state) vs NV (red state). Both are roughly 50/50. Why punish half the population. There are sane people in the reddest states, and stupid hicks even here in Mass. Just don't patronize businesses you KNOW to have repug ties, wherever they may be, I don't care that it's NYC or Boston or SF.

the dem minorities in ANY red state already feel oppressed by the (sometimes tiny) majority. By saying we won't patronize the state's businesses we're adding insult to injury, as they depend on them for their livelihood. Even in the hickiest corner of Idaho or Utah, there are, and always will be Kerry voters. Show them some sympathy and solidarity. I do, however, agree with you that we need to target for boycott business we know to have concrete repub ties.

If we focus our energy in the right direction, we can have a meaningful impact.

not necessarially "BOYCOTT RED STATES".

Something that might be really helpful? A graded color map of red/blue with all the counties in the US, with deeper blue shades for higher Kerry votes percentage-wise, deeper red shades for higher Bush votes percentage-wise. Counties that were almost 50-50 would be practically white, or grey.

I just see the familiar red/blue map.

A detailed county map with information as gradiations of color would be ideal.

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/president/

this is a sample state

B vs K by county
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/OH/P/00/map.html

Bush strength/Kerry strength is on there too.. different color gradation.

Nothing nationally

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/president/

this is a sample state

B vs K by county
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/OH/P/00/map.html

Bush strength/Kerry strength is on there too.. different color gradation.

Nothing nationally

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/president/

this is a sample state

B vs K by county
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/OH/P/00/map.html

Bush strength/Kerry strength is on there too.. different color gradation.

Nothing nationally

n/t

We can shift our tax burdens. Instead of sending our money to Washington (from whence it goes to the red states in the form of ranch and farm welfare) we may need to pay higher state income taxes. But at least then the tax we pay stays within our own state borders.

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2004/09/red_states_feed.html

Monday, September 27, 2004

The Tax Foundation has released a fascinating report showing which states benefit from federal tax and spending policies, and which states foot the bill.

The report shows that of the 32 states (and the District of Columbia) that are "winners" -- receiving more in federal spending than they pay in federal taxes -- 76% are Red States that voted for George Bush in 2000. Indeed, 17 of the 20 (85%) states receiving the most federal spending per dollar of federal taxes paid are Red States. Here are the Top 10 states that feed at the federal trough (with Red States highlighted in bold):


States Receiving Most in Federal Spending Per Dollar of Federal Taxes Paid:

1. D.C. ($6.17)
2. North Dakota ($2.03)
3. New Mexico ($1.89)
4. Mississippi ($1.84)
5. Alaska ($1.82)
6. West Virginia ($1.74)
7. Montana ($1.64)
8. Alabama ($1.61)
9. South Dakota ($1.59)
10. Arkansas ($1.53)

We must take them off our backs and one of the best ways is to hurt them in the wallet.

I have been discussing this with my friends since this fraud of an election. I think we must find out which companies supported Kerry and only buy from them. Do not support any Republican supporting company or companies who use advertisers who support the Republican.

Money speaks!

I have for years and I'm a floridian! Florida would be hurt by lack of tourist, but it might wake up some floridians who think red is so good for our state! So folks find another sunny wram place to vacation in. Carribean or Mexico, thats where we vacation.