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What history books are you reading? Boycotts never work unless the product of the company in question is the reason for it. Yes, the one you're thinking of inc

What history books are you reading? Boycotts never work unless the product of the company in question is the reason for it. Yes, the one you're thinking of included. Before she stepped on any bus, Rosa Parks volunteered to be the spark that the NAACP needed to accomplish their long-term goal of putting Civil Rights in the headlines. The leaflets were already printed and the picket signs were already made. The Montgomery Bus Company capitulated days after the boycott was announced, but the NAACP refused to end it until Parks' case had gone all the way to the Supreme Court and civil rights was dominating the headlines. It was a bit part of a grand political opera, and the Montgomery Bus Company was never the true target, just the excuse. The boycott wasn't effective, the campaign was effective. The wallet was just a stepping stone to the big prize: the vote. Nothing can stop an anti-consumer corporation with monopolistic power except government intervention. Roosevelt didn't bust trusts by politely recommending alternatives.

chiefalchemist 8y ago
"Nothing can stop an anti-consumer corporation with monopolistic power except government intervention. Roosevelt didn't bust trusts by politely recommending alternatives." - Perhaps. But how often does the gov play a role in creating that monopoly? And sustaining it while the monopoly deepens it grip? - Perhaps. But with rare exception (i.e., your example?) my wallet is still more powerful than your vote. - Perhaps. But given the Snowden revelations, in the case of Google, whose side do think the government? Even if by chance the gov does something (to Google) its not going to address gov's key role in these situations.
- hannasanarion 8y ago
  1. The government didn't make Google or Amazon 2. My example explains why this sentiment was wrong. The montgomery bus boycott was a political tool and only was "successful" due to a nationwide political (ie, voting) campaign. 3. You know that Congress was super pissed by the Snowden revelations and changed the law, right? They even used their votes, not their wallets, to do it!
  - chiefalchemist 8y ago
    The gov didn't make Google or Amazon? - Who enables Amazon to pay wages that requires employees to need subsidies? - As for Google, the NSA __loves__ Google. That bias effects the gov's decisions.

chiefalchemist 8y ago

"Nothing can stop an anti-consumer corporation with monopolistic power except government intervention. Roosevelt didn't bust trusts by politely recommending alternatives." - Perhaps. But how often does the gov play a role in creating that monopoly? And sustaining it while the monopoly deepens it grip? - Perhaps. But with rare exception (i.e., your example?) my wallet is still more powerful than your vote. - Perhaps. But given the Snowden revelations, in the case of Google, whose side do think the government? Even if by chance the gov does something (to Google) its not going to address gov's key role in these situations.

hannasanarion 8y ago
1. The government didn't make Google or Amazon 2. My example explains why this sentiment was wrong. The montgomery bus boycott was a political tool and only was "successful" due to a nationwide political (ie, voting) campaign. 3. You know that Congress was super pissed by the Snowden revelations and changed the law, right? They even used their votes, not their wallets, to do it!
- chiefalchemist 8y ago
  The gov didn't make Google or Amazon? - Who enables Amazon to pay wages that requires employees to need subsidies? - As for Google, the NSA __loves__ Google. That bias effects the gov's decisions.