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The problem is that we do not have any discernable influence on our nominal political representatives. A workaround is that we might be able to influence the co

The problem is that we do not have any discernable influence on our nominal political representatives. A workaround is that we might be able to influence the corporations that do have significant influence. It's worth a try. The Citizens United decision means the money you spend is used to influence the political process. It's part of what you're buying, so why not factor it in to your purchasing decision?

twoodfin 13y ago
It's part of what you're buying, so why not factor it in to your purchasing decision? Because one hallmark of a civil society is the ability to have vigorous disagreements in the political sphere and yet continue to live and work together as a community.
- johnpowell 13y ago
  I know quite a few people that are gay and would love to have the opportunity to get married in the state they reside in. So when Chick-fil-A dumps money into campaigns for ads against equality bills I sure as hell will not give them a single cent. I can't pick and choose if I want to pay for tanks but I can certainly not pay companies that are actively trying to hurt the people I love with my money.
  - pi18n 13y ago
    And if a charity is going to toss out donations of Harry Potter toys because they "promote witchcraft" they are out as well. I'm going to try this app.
  - twoodfin 13y ago
    If your neighbor showed up on a list of people who donated to support Prop 8, would you stop inviting them to your BBQs? What if they "just" voted for a candidate who professed to be against marriage equality (like our current President in 2008)? That's what I mean about civil society. Obviously its fabric will survive your boycott of Chick-fil-A, but letting the political bleed into all aspects of our lives is something I find intensely distasteful.
    - fyi80 13y ago
      If someone goes out of their way to specifically actively hurt me, for no reason other than perpetuate hate, then yes, I don't want them at my BBQs.
- alan_cx 13y ago
  And fund things you object to? Why imply not funding things you object to as not being civilised? Makes no sense. Or is it just a justification for laziness?

twoodfin 13y ago

It's part of what you're buying, so why not factor it in to your purchasing decision? Because one hallmark of a civil society is the ability to have vigorous disagreements in the political sphere and yet continue to live and work together as a community.

johnpowell 13y ago
I know quite a few people that are gay and would love to have the opportunity to get married in the state they reside in. So when Chick-fil-A dumps money into campaigns for ads against equality bills I sure as hell will not give them a single cent. I can't pick and choose if I want to pay for tanks but I can certainly not pay companies that are actively trying to hurt the people I love with my money.
- pi18n 13y ago
  And if a charity is going to toss out donations of Harry Potter toys because they "promote witchcraft" they are out as well. I'm going to try this app.
- twoodfin 13y ago
  If your neighbor showed up on a list of people who donated to support Prop 8, would you stop inviting them to your BBQs? What if they "just" voted for a candidate who professed to be against marriage equality (like our current President in 2008)? That's what I mean about civil society. Obviously its fabric will survive your boycott of Chick-fil-A, but letting the political bleed into all aspects of our lives is something I find intensely distasteful.
  - fyi80 13y ago
    If someone goes out of their way to specifically actively hurt me, for no reason other than perpetuate hate, then yes, I don't want them at my BBQs.
alan_cx 13y ago
And fund things you object to? Why imply not funding things you object to as not being civilised? Makes no sense. Or is it just a justification for laziness?