Quote:
Originally Posted by BarTopDancer
Personal boycotts aren't going to change anything and short of growing your own food (better get those seeds from a 'clean' organization) and making your own clothes (better make sure the fabric, and machinery is from a 'clean' organization) you're always going to be giving money to someone who supports something you disagree with.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Not Afraid
I believe the only way I could find a store that was completely aligned with my beliefs would be to open a store of my own.
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Yep and yep!
The only thing personal boycotts are good for is making ourselves feel better about a situation that personally affects us.
For example, I've been personally boycotting BP since the spill because I think of "pumping the blood of dying sea animals into my gas tank" and it doesn't make me feel good. Does it make any impact, really? No. But, it makes me feel better.
My attitude is the same with Walmart. I enjoy shopping there. And, I don't see the employees being forced to work there. Yes, I've read the stories. But, I've read them from both sides, and make my own decisions. Do I avoid certain products widely known to be made in "sweat shops"? Yes. But, for general household needs, we benefit from the savings.
I think everyone has their own sense of "morals", and we should do those things that make us feel best about them in order to make ourselves happy. "But, won't someone please think of the children???" Um, yes, but at the same time, people have the power to choose their own destiny in life. (Which reiterates why I don't have
personal issues with Walmart - people don't have to work there.)
If boycotting Target makes a person feel better, then they should.
Personally, I'm more concerned about my husband having to cross any possible demonstrations at his store (which has been suggested by one group). And, yes, he'd cross those lines, because I bet we wouldn't find one demonstrator willing to "show mutual support" by paying our rent.
