Listing of South Dakota product manufacturers. . .

a nice comprehensive directory. . .

http://www.sdgreatprofits.com/asp/goods.asp?City=&CompanyName=&product=312112&Employment=All&action=Search

Lobby your local small retailers if they carry any of these products.

The biggest businesses in the state. Probably best to start there.

Personally, I think all the major computer companies suck anyway.

a one word name is not sufficient to identify many businesses and the link given above did not actually lead me to a list of names much less addresses and sufficient information to identify the specific businesses

Looks like they make some of the Girl Scout cookies. . .but also have a rather lucrative contract with private label brands. It would be a good idea to check labels of plain label products at WalMart, etc. as a start to see if this company is doing it. They employ over 500 people.

Citibank was Pro Life.

BTW, they are so fucking huge, they'll never feel it.

bubbaj

Now would be a great time to make a plan to pay down your cards anyway.

Most people are spending upwards of $1000 a year on their credit card INTEREST alone. What do you get for that thousand bucks? Bupkis.

Take your credit card debt, divide by 8 or 12 or 18, pay that amount each month, and chew up one card to zero. Then, work on the next one.

Those credit card companies are greedy beyond belief, especially now that they got their new legislation in that makes it harder to get bankruptcy, even in case of serious illness etc.

after I got a letter from Providian telling me they were lowering my limit for making late payments--when I hadn't made any late payments! They reported me to Experian, and then getting them to fix it was a royal pain in the ass!! So, I told 'em they wouldn't get another penny from me, in purchases or interest, I cut up the card, and I paid off the balance. Did the same with my other cards. They're not profitting off of me, regardless of where they're located.

But I digress...

are in. It makes no sense to me. Did they campaign for this law to get passed? Did they donate to the politicians who voted for it? Then it would be logical.

Meanwhile, you are asking people to essentially punish the employees of companies who likely have nothing to do with this :shrug:

It would get the folks on all levels to rethink that insanity.

Then they need to care about their lives and health. Corporations have taken the power away from the people, they're going to have to figure out that we've figured out that they are really the ones that need to be punished when they choose money over the well-being of the people. They put the money into these Republican campaigns, knowing full well they use a set of social issues to manipulate and divide the public. They can suffer the consequences.

they should find out which companies contribute to Republicans or anti-woman causes, not boycott a whole state. I guess I'm just crazy :shrug:

Force people to stand up, all the people. Makes perfect sense to me.

you're thinking things thourgh, and not just how to get revenge for stupid policies made by people who will never feel the effects of a boycott.

bubbaj

So, why not go do some research and produce that information for all of us? We're certainly willing to target those companies as you suggest.

voted for these yahoos. They represent the citizens of the state. If the citizens of the state don't like what's happening, they can and should pressure the politicians who work for them. One assumes most South Dakotans supported this outrage.

indicates that this was not "homegrown" legislation. And since the state's legal defense fund has been sweetened by an "anonymous" donation of $1 million, that indicates there was a lot more at play here than an endorsement by the electorate.

These are elected politicians. Regardless of who's donating to their campaign or defense funds, they got where they are by the votes of the people. Now it's time for the people to take some responsibility.

Either they have nothing to do with it or they know how to change it. Perhaps we should just do...why...nothing at all. Write a few post-mortem emails to a governor who tosses them aside. . .or sigh at another defeat because the know the Supremes will overturn Roe anyway. Or we could just say "oh well" and move right along, understanding that the religious Right are heavily organized as we just never have enough of a network or motivation to do something to stop them.

You can get to work anytime researching these companies and their connections/contributions if that would be more reassuring. Meanwhile, I'm perfectly content not supporting a state which allowed its government to be used by outside forces to promote a religious/political agenda.

refrain from the thinly veiled personal attacks. I respectfully questioned the logic of this. If all you have to explain yourself with is sarcasm and condescension, you certainly won't change my mind. You know nothing about what I do or don't do as far as activism.

Peace.

This was NOT a personal attack. Perhaps when you can be more objective (i.e., less emotional) about it, you could come back and re-read this.

Sarcasm, yes. Attack, no.

I'm curious why you're so personally invested in your "respectful question" that this response reads like a personal attack to you.

Peace, man.

I'm as mellow as they come.

You had a question. . .my response was that if you were concerned about their connections to the Republican Party and the government, you should feel free to do that research. I don't have the answer.

How many posts do you need to make the statement? Don't. If it doesn't make any sense to YOU, then don't do it.

If you don't have any other suggestions, what is your point?

I posted once, and then responded to my replies. I'm at a loss.... :shrug:

Peace.

And I'm wondering just what kind of discussion you are trying to engage in....you protest, I provide a suggestion. You don't produce - just protest again. Got a suggestion? Post it. Want some research about these companies? Then go do it.

box. I suppose I could try to choose a city or county but I wanted to see the whole list of all businesses...what am I doing wrong? Hey go ahead and boycott Gateway it will take a few incensed blue companies to lead the way.

Can it be they just shut it down? That couldn't be right. I must be doing something wrong, but it sure seems straight forward enough. Any one else having problems getting it to actually give results of the search?

And then highlighted number of employees, and then search. Worked fine.

company name line and got a long list, probaby every company with an "a" in its name. So most I would guess. But if I just select all products and all employee range, I get a blank page.

You have to put a number of employees in.

Do we screw them to? What about their PRO CHOICE employees?

This kind of bull shit, dare I say "shot gun" retribution, is worthless. They have already passed and signed the bill.

Its all over in SD, the fight is now at the courts.

Focus on the actual problem, people, not your anger and lust for revenge.

bubbaj

I am sick of this shit. Nobody ever wants to sacrifice anything. About once a month somebody posts that Democrats could kick this country in the ass overnight, just move their investments to socially responsible companies. Then you get posts like yours, waaaa, why should I hurt myself. Bullshit. If things are really at such a drastic point in history, then drastic measures are required. Same for South Dakota. They can repeal that law as quickly as they passed it, all they have to do is stand up, especially the pro-choice people and businesses.

Obviously you've made up your mind. Screw anybody, even if they support you? That's a real recipe for wining hearts and minds.

No wonder our party is in trouble. We eat our own as a first recourse.

bubbaj

ADDED: And BTW, I'm in Arizona, not SD, so it won't hurt me a bit.

Shall I send you slippers and a box of chocolates so you can curl up with a Candace Bushnell novel while the world devolves around you?

Yes, I've made up my mind and took boycott actions the first day the abortion bill was announced. Actions that DO hurt me.

No thanks... don't care for Candice nor Chocolates. Thanks for thinking of me, though.

You've made my point for me. You've decided, and that's fine. I'm still lost on how you think a boycott of companies will cause a reversal on a piece of legislation that's already been signed.

Boycotts are much more effective prior to the actions of a legislative body. Having worked indirectly on bills in Arizona for 15 years, sadly, once an issue is decided, particularly a divisive one, the legislators run like hell from revisiting it, if for no other reason that they've already taken the money under the table and aren't going to go back against those sources of funding.

So unless you just so pissed that I disagreed with you, I would like it if you explain to me how this is going to help our cause. As a small business owner, the difference in staying afloat vs. going under can be one bad month, and I sure as hell wouldn't expect to get screwed by my own team. Nor would I want to lay off or fire one of the seven single moms who work for me.

I don't think you're evil or stupid, I just don't see your logic.

Intelligent debate welcomed.

bubba j

Okay then, beer and pretzels and FHM, whatever the case may be.

You bet I know one bad month can hurt, that's the point. I wonder if you would have supported the grape boycott back in the day, considering the cutters were hurt too. They understood sacrifice, as did those who walked instead of riding the bus, as did countless others before them. It takes real people to become willing to suffer to force those with power to change, that's just the way it is.

And I appreciate your continued posts.

Yes, I do know boycotts can be effective. Yes, i do know they require sacrifice. But I also believe that this issue is decided as far as the people in SD are concerned.

The law will be appealed, an injunction will be issued, and eventually it will end up at the supreme court to be decided. Granted, not a great set of circumstances, but this is how it will probably work.

Again, I don't see how potentially destroying the businesses and employment for people who agree with us is smart.

Show me a way to determine who is Pro Life, and lets nail them. Indiscriminately attacking all businesses based on geographical location is like carpet bombing in Iraq - it hurts everybody without regard to their culpability.

Peace.

bubba j

It's about 50/50 in South Dakota, so it really isn't decided. One group has decided to inflict their will on another. If you can figure out a way to support the pro-choice South Dakotans, then I'm all ears. Like I said, yes, sometimes rising up for change hurts those who want change as much as those who don't. That's part of the sacrifice and it's time comfy white middle class America gets a clue.

Yes the poll of the people is 50/50, but the legislature isn't "the people". Having seen the inside of how many bills are drawn up and passed, and the graft involved, it rarely relates to the merit of the issues or the will of the people.

Its kinda like watching sausage being made. You really don't want to eat it after seeing it made (presuming you ever did - not trying to start a side bar argument - LOL!). The legislative process is quite similar in that once you see how it really works, its hard to want to see it up close, or be involved.

I don't think you and I disagree as much as I thought, just on tactics and timing. I can clearly see you are heart felt, and share your desire for a different outcome that that being rammed down our throats.

Peace.

bubba j

of some constructive actions? Are you saying that South Dakotans can't file petitions to veto the legislation? That the citizens have no right to draft constitutional amendments limiting the power of elected officials to take money under the table? That anyone has any incentive to do anything about it anyway since it's already passed so we should all just sigh and wring our hands and say "oh well?"

I am saying that legislators, in my experience of 15 years dealing with them in Arizona, are loath to undo what they just did, especially on such a divisive issue, and particularly in light of the fact that they were all essentially paid for their votes (see "biting the hand that feeds you"). Its called lobbying, and sad but true, legislators are more worried about keeping their jobs than voting on merit or what is right. And I thinks it s important to remember in q 50/50 state, which another poster claimed a poll shows, that legislator is just as afraid of the other teams threats as ours. Inaction is their easiest course of action - not right, or based on merit, but easiest.

Now if you walked into every legislators office in SD with 50 $100 checks and said, I'd like to talk about bill X Y or Z, you'd get their attention. It would sadly, however, not be near enough cash to compete with what the Repugs are probably paying.

Boycotts have their place and time. I don't think it would work here, because the target should be the legislators themselves. They have hundreds of ways to kills bills, stall bills, tie them to other legislation to poison their progress, and again, just not want to change them cause it would piss off the folks that paid them to vote their way.

Just my opinion, which I thought I was allowed to have. We are still the open minded party, right? Or do I have to conform to participate?

bubba j

Do nothing at all? Roll over? Post two dozen threads where we wring our hands in anguish and then call it a day?

I'm just asking for something constructive here - this is why nothing ever gets done. . .this is not about screw anybody, but unless you havent' noticed, the evangelical Right long ago declared war on the rest of this country and they haven't paused one bit thinking about screwing everybody else over in the process.

Nobody is "eating" our own. This thread is about a boycott. You don't want to boycott, then what's your beef? Give us another idea.
Otherwise, the reason our party is in trouble is because people just sit on their ass and wait for things to happen to them.

you'd see I'm not against a targeted boycott against Pro Lifer companies. I am not convinced it would work, which if you read my other posts herein, you'd see why (legislative process = sausage making + graft, to summarize).

I am against an indiscriminate boycott against all SD, 50% of whom are Pro Choice by one poll.

Show me a way to target it, and I'm good.

I don't like carpet bombing, in real war, or in economic/political war, nor do i like the growing idea that all opinions aren't welcome if they differ from the majority - isn't that what the Repugs do?

bubba j

and since there are some people here who were interested in information about companies in the state and in boycotting them, the thread became a criticism of their interests instead of a place for them to discuss doing so.

All I did was post the link to the information. Though I thought people would be a little more constructive about suggestions. . .which ended up being nothing but criticism without any other suggestions or ideas. So. . .what the hell...let's just do our normal act of nothing, and then we can whine about each battle that is lost because no one was willing to stand up for anything.

Leave our jobs as long as needed and camp out in SD at state house protesting each day. Protest in from of the homes of those who voted yes, walk the streets there handing out flyers, and see a reversal.

And I am not saying to not boycott - one can do that intelligently without harming industries there that support our casuses.

I put it on my travel site the day the legislation was first announced, before it was even signed. I lose direct business, and possibly business from half the people who visit my site who will choose not to book based on their own pro-life views. I'm doing what I can.

Was not solely directed at you - more to general audience. We do expect sacrifice, but how much can or will we sacrifice ourselves? The more personally vested we are in something the more we are willing to sacrifice.

I know it isn't easy to make that kind of sacrifice. But if the pro-lifers have been doing this for years, no wonder they've been making so much headway. . .

If I can throw any business your way, I'll do it in a flash. . .

and frankly, all I did was provide a link to this mess. Maybe next year someone will pull an action together. . .geez.

If the issue here is that the South Dakota state government was manipulated and used by outside interests, the voters in the state have to deal with the situation. . .of course, if they get no clue from anyone outside the state that people are paying attention, or that it upsets others across the country, and everyone is just quiet except for a few moaning posts online, then I don't know what extra support or push they could expect from other Americans.

Surely someone from the state democratic party would have information about supportive businesses in the state. All I did was provide a list of every manufacturer so that we'd have a more thorough base here. . .and if someone wants to boycott the whole state, that's entirely fine with me.

And as for pro-choice business onwers and pro-choice employees, they can step up to the plate and get busy, huh?

As I posted in another thread, we need WARRIORS now, not cheerleaders. Being on our side and WORKING on our side are two completely different things. One is virtually useless, tho nice. The other can help us get results.

Let me guess which you are.....

I don't think destroying the businesses and lives of Pro Choice employers and employees will make a corrupt political body change their mind. I for one, would hate to fire any of the seven single moms who work for me just because a group of out of state people disagreed with my states stupid legislature. I am in Arizona, not SD, so this is not personal for me in the sense that my business will not be affected, but I can sympathize with Pro Choice business owners who are resposnsible for keeping their employee jobs alive!

If my belief, which I assumed free thinking democrats would still allow me, makes me a cheerleader, than so be it.

I am not your enemy, just disagree with the tactics of whole sale, indiscriminate boycotting after the fact.

Peace

bubba j

...to get politically active and undo the thing that is causing the boycott. I think that's the idea behind boycotts, not punishment for it's own sake. And yes, a statewide boycott is a blunt instrument, but it's probably the best we have right now.

I am a registered South Dakota voter (although I'm not in the state much). I support a statewide boycott.

employers for the rest of us. You have a group ready to do something. You have reservations but say you support some action. Bring it to the table.

But I don't think it will work. So why would I spend my time? My point was IF you want to do this, why punish everyone? Punish the culpable.

legislation is not passed on merit or right vs. wrong. It is passed based on who support the legislator financially, who their friends are, who supports and walks in their campaigns, etc.

If you really believe you win because you are right, then I feel for you. I have seen 15 years of legislative fighting in Arizona, and you don't win on merit or by being on the right side.

bubba j

This is their government - THEY should be angry about having the government hijacked by an outside special interest group which contracted their legislature to pass this law. Why else would the state be receiving private donations from outside the borders to defend public legislation in court?

And what about their pro-choice businesses? They need to be encouraged to stand up and take back their own government, rather than have it dictated to by the special interests of the American Taliban. Look...when the wingnuts get upset about a law, they go after the law, the legislators and then try to pass constitutional amendments preventing situations from ever happening again. This is more than just about one law that was passed - it is about how a state government can be categorically hijacked by interest groups for a broader political agenda without the consent of the governed.

I'd just like to folks to remember there are Pro Choice business owners, and destroying their business, and by extension the jobs they provide, isn't a good way to win hearts and minds, especially if they agree with us.

I'd hate to have to lay off or fire any of the seven single moms who work for me, just because some group, no matter how noble or right, boycotted my state's businesses.

Its important to remember that to have any Choice, you have to be able to survive, feed your kids, and pay your bills. Being right on principle alone doesn't make those things happen.

Peace.

bubba j

that not everyone is pro-rapist rights. And most people understand that the government did not act on the wishes of the population, but on an underhanded deal.

We're all open for any suggestions, any ways to narrow the target down, anything that might be encouraging or constructive.

Pro-choice bikers should stay the heck out of Sturgis. No vacations to S.D. Don't spend any money there, thus no sales taxes. Boycott the state, but not the blue companies there.

Why should the local mom and pop be the only ones hurt by a boycott? I say boycott the big business, especially the big blue business, and force them to stand up in their own backyard.

They need to do some standing up as well. If only half of those business owners stood up and told the state where to stick their anti-abortion bill, the governor would get the message loud and clear.

No reason to skip boycotting big business just to go after the little guys. That's all I'm saying.

If successful, a widespread action of this nature could force those with economic power there to WAKE THE FUCK UP AND STOP TOLERATING MURDEROUS MISOGYNY. I guess. We'll see.

And if Gateway's on that list, then damn it, if you buy a PC or laptop, send 'em a copy of the receipt and tell them WHY you didn't buy a Gateway, etc, etc, etc.

I just told my wife last night while we were watching TV that we'll never go there and they are wasting their money advertising in Chicago.

in point of fact, this is one of the most blisteringly wrongheaded bits of misguided outrage I've seen here (and there've been a few). The US economy hovers on the brink of recession, millions of jobs have been lost over the past five years thanks to layoffs and outsourcing...and your reaction to idiots in the South Dakota state legislature passing a bad law is to boycott all products and businesses in South Dakota? Never mind that the owners of the business might not agree with their state legislature, or that their employees might not. No, don't stop to consider that at all. Or the fact that they might not be able to afford to move elsewhere to find work if they get laid off.

Sends a nice message. "We only care about the jobs of SOME Americans. If you're unfortunate enough to live in a state with a majority of right-wing morons in government, you can go fuck yourself."

And who said that you have to cooperate? You have any more ideas or suggestions, or is this just a criticism? What do you suggest that people do here?

If you have read the available information, part of which is posted on South Dakota's DU web site, one Democratic state representative indicated this was NOT a grassroots effort...nor a homegrown legislative action, but rather influenced by outside special interest groups.

So far, you've said that the public should not respond at all. Is that your suggestion here? I don't recall anyone here indicating they weren't open for something beyond just bitter criticism. . .so feel free to contribute an idea.

Do you think the American Taliban was interested in the businesses that were pro-choice in South Dakota when they made a deal with the state legislature? Or when they cooperated with the governor in setting up a donation fund for the state's legal defense?

affect these "outside special interest groups" in any meaningful way?

I haven't said that the public should not respond at all; I've said this particular response is stupid. There's a difference. You'll have to forgive me for responding to things rationally rather than emotionally.

And...it could just be me, but instead of merely calling for a boycott, would it not make more sense to suggest that persons considering purchasing products manufactured in South Dakota or doing business with South Dakota-based companies instead donate the money they would have spent to the South Dakota chapters of Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, along with the SD Democratic Party? Just a thought. And it seems a bit more constructive, somehow, than just calling for a boycott which, by your own admission, won't really affect the people responsible for this particular piece of bad legislation (which probably won't pass constitutional muster at the federal appeals court level in any case).

the kind of productive things that need to be discussed over this subject.

And there should be some way to get some information from the South Dakota Democratic Party. Because of the manner in which this law was passed, the Democrats should have some very good campaign material, and we should find ways to support them and make sure they get the word out there.

I didn't call for a boycott. All I did was get a list of manufacturers because many people were talking about a boycott. And yes, I have no intention of purchasing normal products made in that state during the course of my regular shopping. . .and tax base losses do affect income for state governments. Let the Taliban make up that difference since they are obviously financing this legislation and legal defense.

It worked there. I am sick to death of people who can afford the risks, but won't take them. The right has been pushing their agenda for years through boycotts to the point that all they have to do is threaten a boycott to get action. I'm boycotting, I'm fed up.

The first thing that is going to happen will be layoffs of workers due to lack of demand. They will do this to keep profits up. Why in the hell would I want to make a worker pay for their State governments ignorance? How will Joe down at the widget plant losing his job going to do anything to change a proposed law on the floor of the South Dakota house or senate?
Do you think the average Joe working at these companies should suffer financial ruin for the sins of their Representatives? I will fight it because I believe in freedom and that includes the freedom to be in control of your personal life.
Boycotting will do little to resolve this issue. Boycotting will throw the working poor out on the street