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| While I will very likely buy nothing at all, as a Canadian, I will, definitely, not shop American in any way. |
Are you paying any attention to our Charlie Angus, who is giving it back to Trump in whatever way that he can? I am now getting his daily email and subscribe to the free part of his substack.
This is Charlie's email from yesterday.
What is about the richest men in the world that reveals them to be so petty, shifty, and money-grubbing?
Step forward, Jeff Bezos.
If you ever had any doubt that Amazon is one of the most predatory corporations on the planet, read the book The Everything War by Dana Mattioli. She lays out the mercenary strategies by which Amazon stole the ideas of start-ups, crushed competitors and destroyed small companies that posed no possible threat.
And, of course, Jeff Bezos is part of the MAGA mob using his control of the once-esteemed Washington Post to serve the gangster king in the White House.
On February 28th, Canadians are launching a national day of resistance against American corporate power.
But I would like to make one suggestion – instead of a single day of resistance, why not a total and permanent boycott of all things Amazon?
I am writing this in response to Amazon's decision to close all their warehouses in Quebec after workers chose to unionize because of the horrific injury rates in the plants and the lack of respect for basic worker rights.
Where are the Canadian politicians who have failed to demand Amazon pay back the massive subsidies they were given?
The Canadian people gave Amazon the red carpet treatment. Now, they’re treating us like some kind of third-class feudal state. And, of course, Jeff Bezos is laughing at us with his 51st state swag.
So, my friends, if Jeff Bezos is gonna walk away on Canada, let’s walk away on him.
*You can find Charlie Angus here on Bluesky and on the other places too, probably.
Amazon became a bit of a lifeline for us during the recent plague. We live in a town, where the only other viable choice for many goods is Wal Mart. I dislike that place and feel like my soul is being sucked out of me when I enter the doors. But Amazon is a big part of the oligarch Bezos' empire, and I feel as though we are colluding. It will be hard to sever the tie, but we are going to work on it.
It will require an effort, and it will cost us, but doggone it all, what else can we do?
I have stopped using Amazon except for two things: a medicine I cannot find anywhere else for my dog and my Kindle. I don't BUY books for my Kindle, but I own a Kindle and put library books on it. I don't know how to lower my Amazon usage from this, but maybe I should look into non-Kindle ebook options for the next time I need a new one.
ReplyDeleteOrdered once from Amazon long ago...All the packages came separately, (one was a pkg of sewing machine needles....!!!) up the hill (4+ klicks). What an horrible waste of fuel and contribution to pollution...never again.
ReplyDeleteJust went shopping in my storage room and freezer. No plans to go shopping for weeks, and then only for milk.
We have over used Amazon. I regret it now. Bezos has taken over the Opinion page of the WashPost and is limiting the opinions on it. A sad state for free press.
ReplyDeleteI dropped my Prime membership but do, sadly, use Amazon. I need to find a viable replacement. That is not easy but I will try. I'm proud of my Canadian neighbors for taking a stand.
ReplyDeleteI always scoff at those sorts of daily protests. People just skip a day and go the next to purchase twice as much as they normally would. I for the most part, try to shop local when there is a choice every day of the year. Unfortunately, Walmart drove out many of the choices years ago and now Amazon has swooped in to fill the void because it is even easier to get packages delivered to your door than drive across town to a 10 acre parking lot and walk through a 5 acre store trying to find what you need. I wish I could boycott Amazon but short of driving 200+ miles every time I need something, I don't have much of a choice.
ReplyDeleteI guess it helps to feel that we are doing something. But you're right, one day doesn't accomplish much. You are also right about the difficulty in living without Amazon, but I didn't realize that thier hold was so strong in rural America.
DeleteThe only business that seems to thrive out here in rural America, outside of Amazon and Walmart, is a chain store called Dollar General that sells cheap things for a dollar although they have raised their prices in recent years. The last local hardware store closed its doors for good a couple years ago when the owner retired and nobody in their right mind would buy it to try and earn a living. I still shed tears over its closing whenever I need a single bolt or piece of hardware.
DeleteI still buy my flowers at a local florist and get a few precious things at local mom and pop stores. But for the most part, most of the mom and pop stores that sold things are long gone. In their place are stores that sell services, things Amazon, Walmart and the like don't yet sell.
For a real change, we need to change our lifestyle. But unfortunately, I think the ship has sailed when it comes to Amazon. The damage is already done and it is firmly embedded into our culture, at least until there is a paradigm shift in how we obtain goods. Not sure what that change might look like. Perhaps a 3D printer of sorts we have in our homes to print everything we consume from food to toilet paper.
Thank you for the explanation. My goodness.
DeleteWell, you're right. I keep reducing our Amazon purchases and then we slide back in to the ease of it. I'll do better.
ReplyDeleteAs long as many people continue protesting others in power may feel the support to do something.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you! It will be tough but we can do it!
ReplyDeleteHow much money is enough for those guys?
I hate Walmart too but local people who live in your community work in the store, so it's much more worthwhile to shop there. I will never understand why those billionaires need that much money and feel compelled to screw the rest of us over. As the old saying goes, "You can't take it with you." Are they all narcissistic a-holes? (excuse my language) P.S. I'm doing the buy nothing today too!
ReplyDeleteAre the broligarchs having a competition with each other?
DeleteThat is an admiring spirit. Hard to hurt them though
ReplyDeleteWe are sort of stuck with Amazon out here; it takes a lot of effort to work without it, not to mention gas and time. But we do need to send a clear message. I note that the Washington Post is suspect. I had not known that and am surprised, as the coverage of Trumpet and Co has been pretty fair as far as I could tell.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a Giant Tiger? Useful place.
We have a GT, and our grocery stores are Canadian, but at least one chain is not exactly exemplary.
DeleteRight there with you. I canceled Prime, and got a refund after much effort. I have found that most of the same goods are available on ebay for a similar price and often faster free shipping. And as far as I can tell ebay did not back Trump.
ReplyDeleteGood on you! Alas, situated as we are, it would be very difficult to drop Amazon.
ReplyDeleteAC, I will say this: It may feel strange at first, but you will find that once you begin sourcing products, you will find that it is really not all that hard, or that difficult. I use Amazon to look up products. I note the manufacturer and go directly to them. You can get pretty much anything, and (especially during holidays), they are offering sales and free shipping. It's been a couple years for me. You can do it.
ReplyDeleteIf you need something, check Amazon for its source. Often there is a link to the provider. Go there and buy it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Debby and Joanne, go to the source and buy directly from them. It may cost more if you have to pay shipping, so everyone will have to figure out for themselves whether that is manageable. I doubt this will make you feel any better, but the oligarchs are treating US citizens like 3rd class feudal serfs also.
ReplyDeleteLikewise.
ReplyDeleteWalmart was a huge Trump supporter too. I've used Amazon a lot for things I can't find here but have really eased up on it. And yes, did the boycott yesterday and will probably keep it up for many things.
ReplyDeleteWe all fell into the trap.
DeleteWe're trying to minimize our use of Amazon as Debby suggests. You can also often find a Canadian alternate by looking in the comments. Amazon is not always cheapest. As for Walmart I swore off that years ago and we don't have one locally anyway. Now I'm starting to worry about what happens when DT turns his eyes to Canada after his performance yesterday!
ReplyDeleteHe's a malevolent marauder.
DeleteYup. We bought nothing on Friday. I wonder what kind of impact it made.
ReplyDelete