The Power of the Purse

A new Harris poll found that four in 10 Americans have shifted spending to align with moral views in recent months. I understand and applaud the decisions that led to these choices. The Guardian reported that, according to the Harris poll, 31% of American are not interested in spending to support the economy. 24% report changing away from their favorite stores because of politics.

“Think of this as ‘laissez-faire consumerism’. Buyers aren’t boycotting, they’re just opting out,” said John Gerzema, CEO of Harris Poll. “Instead of demanding more, they’re simply disengaging with the marketplace and businesses who disappoint them.” [source: The Guardian]

Laissez-faire consumerism and me

For most of my adult life I have paid attention to the companies that I do business with and the products I am willing to buy.

There are a handful of companies that I will never do business with because of their politics. These businesses give money to people who actively harm groups of people I care about. It’s easy for me to say I won’t buy Chik-fil-a; they don’t have shops near me, and I rarely eat fast food. I am not harming them with my action of not buying from them. Is my righteous indignation just that: righteous indignation?

Then there are companies that I used to spend money on, but do not now. I miss them. Not buying from them may do nothing to their business or wealth. Yet I feel better about myself because I don’t add to their wealth. I hope that they lose their wealth and their reputation. However, this is not a boycott.

My little household is not going to make or break any American food supplier or retail chain. However, I can take care of my own impact on the world and do the best I can. I can avoid wasteful plastic use and the throw-away mentality of fast fashion. However, this is not a boycott.

When an artist does something offensive, I have a different dilemma. Most of the time, I keep my music or my books, but never buy any more; nor take them out of the library. I can hope that their reputations fade into oblivion. They don’t get another penny from me. This is not a boycott, either.

When I refrain from using certain services (like X and Amazon), I give up some convenience. However, I choose to not contribute to the wealth of the owner of those companies. I am ok with that. However, this is not a boycott.

So what is a boycott?

A boycott is organized and targeted. Boycotts require support, sometimes for years. If large numbers or people band together to refrain from buying products, the creator of that product has to change or lose their business.

Workers’ rights were supported by the Delano Grape Boycott, where consumers refrained from buying grapes from non-union farms for five years.

Infant Formula Action Coalition launched a boycott of Nestle products in 1977. It lasted until 1984. The boycott pressured Nestle to change the way they distributed baby formula in poor countries.

Why do a one-day general boycott?

This Friday, February 28, 2025, there is a general boycott of big businesses. This one-day boycott is to show the powers-that-be that Americans can organize and can use their economic power. One day will not change a company’s bottom line, but if there is large enough participation, big business will notice.

“The People’s Union encourages people not make any purchases from major retailers, such as Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target, whether those purchases be online or in-store.

Additionally, The People’s Union requests that people refrain from using credit or debit cards for non-essential spending, and to avoid spending money on fast food or gas.” [source: USA Today]

“For decades, they have told us that we are powerless, that we have no control, and that this system is too big, too strong, too unshakable.

We are going to remind them who has the power. For one day we turn it off for one day. We shut it down for one day. We remind them that this country does not belong to the elite, it belongs to the people and this will work.

Some of you might say one day won’t make a difference, and that’s exactly what they want you to believe,” he said. If enough of us participate, they will feel it, and if they don’t listen, we escalate.” [source: The People’s Union]