The old saying "money talks" is proven every day, in most every way with the Lobby. Without lobbyists, our representatives would have to buy their own lunches and pay for their own recreation on their meager $174,000.00 annual salary. The term actually came from business reps standing in the lobby on Capitol Hill waiting for their opportunity to approach a representative regarding a bill or legislation. Currently, being a lobbyist is an actual career opportunity.
A lobbyist is a professional persuader, a negotiator with cash in hand, "hired" by any collective cause to cajole politicians into legislation to further the cause they represent. Interestingly, since favors are given, rather than money exchanged it's not illegal or bribery to influence a representative by these tactics. Obviously, the individual citizen, does not have the power, a.k.a. money, of the lobby. By the same token, we the people, do not have a largely supported collective cause that is able to send persuasive lobbyists to Washington. In all honesty, the representatives and councils of family values groups haven't really accomplished much in Washington regarding abortion or the gay agenda. Those who desire morality and freedom simply cannot win by the rules in Washington. So what's the answer?
It's time for a pocketbook revolution. It's time to speak loudly and clearly with our wallets. Every company, every collective power that promotes something we don't believe it, just stop buying their products! It really is that simple. If you don't like the way Procter & Gamble used a gay wedding to both promote Tide and deride Kim Davis, then stop buying Procter & Gamble products . . . all of them! If you don't believe in the abortion pill or birth control pills, stop using any of the pharmaceuticals produced by the companies that produce the products that offend you. My latest biggie, was when Frito Lay came out with rainbow Doritos. Frito Lay makes a great many products besides the special order Doritos.
Do your homework! Memes and complaint posts on social media aren't going to change things. All these blogs I've been doing for years would have no impact at all if I didn't back my views with my wallet. I'm still not making a noticeable difference, but I'm only one person. If all the people who post memes and articles against abortion, birth control, and vaccines actually stopped supporting Big Pharma straight across the board on all their products, our voice would be heard. Sick and tired of the Bruce Jenner saga, get rid of the channel that carries his show and google to discover which companies are supporting the transgender agenda.
Our representatives are not listening to us, but they do listen to the lobbyists and lobbyists get their money from Big Corp. If Big Corp is losing money . . . the benefits to politicians will slim down. We've had this backward for too long. Big Corp is calling the shots, the lobbyists are delivering the perks, and the politicians are owned. If we the people actually put our money where our mouth is and stopped buying ALL the products made by companies promoting what we don't support, we'd see an all new meaning to "trickle down economics." If we the people don't buy it, Big Corp can't sell it, they have to take a new approach, or lose money. If Big Corp starts losing money . . . lobbyists will be scurrying around like rats on a sinking ship and politicians might have to actually listen to "we the people." Or better yet, without all the perks, politicians might leave Washington after a couple of terms.
Even if there aren't enough people to collectively win this pocketbook revolution, those who do will at least know, we've taken a stand and not contributed to the moral collapse of this country.
Showing posts with label revolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label revolution. Show all posts
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Our Value
Realizing most folks under 50 have no awareness of the way business was done for centuries upon centuries before the industrial revolution, I want to share a bit of information. Actually, if it weren't for my fellow congregants in synagogue, I'd have very little knowledge of this, myself; as the way of life I'm about to share basically disappeared through the late 50s and early 60s.
Before the industrial revolution, agriculture was the backbone of this nation and many nations, but not everyone farmed. There were businessmen who created and produced products, but they were still very much dependent upon agriculture, as we still are today. We just don't realize it because we, as a society, have so distanced ourselves from the basics. Before the Great Depression, there were businesses that thrived in towns across America, primarily family businesses in which the family lived in an apartment above the business. Actually, many of these downtown businesses survived the Great Depression and continued to flourish until the Interstate Highway system was built in the 50s bypassing the downtowns.
The downtown businesses were usually family operations that ranged from bakeries to grocery stores, even clothing shops and jewelry stores. Farmers had basically the same situation, only they worked the rural land that had been handed down to them, and often lived in the same farm house in which they'd been born. The point I'm making here, is men did not measure their self worth and success by their "toys" and extras, but by what their hands and hard work produced. Business people in town strove to create the finest apparel or long wearing leather craft, exquisite jewelry, or . . . a tangible product of worth. They were recognized for craftsmanship, rather than accumulation. Farmers strove to have the finest crops and healthy herds, rather than newest tractor and biggest house.
Now that our society has become intensely materialistic and entertainment oriented, one thing has remained consistent. Entrepreneurs do not need entertainment. The movers and shakers of this century are not sitting by idly awaiting the next gadget.
I've done a bit of figuring. When the farmers and businessmen of our history made their living and supported their families, their product, produce, and the manners of their children were a reflection of their success. Free time was considered laziness and extravagant extras were considered a sign of poor management. A good farmer or businessman didn't owe anyone. His value was not in what he made an hour, but what he built in life and what he would hand down to the next generation.
For the most part our society has stopped building and stopped investing. It takes a significant hourly wage to live for the moment! Quality craftsmanship has lasting value when applied and taught to the next generation. Land has lasting value, when worked. Hourly wages spent on entertainment and gadgets are gone very quickly, and soon forgotten. Life insurance has replaced inheritances and that basically makes the statement: "we are worth more dead than alive."
It's not too late to invest our G-d-given talents and invest in the next generation.
Before the industrial revolution, agriculture was the backbone of this nation and many nations, but not everyone farmed. There were businessmen who created and produced products, but they were still very much dependent upon agriculture, as we still are today. We just don't realize it because we, as a society, have so distanced ourselves from the basics. Before the Great Depression, there were businesses that thrived in towns across America, primarily family businesses in which the family lived in an apartment above the business. Actually, many of these downtown businesses survived the Great Depression and continued to flourish until the Interstate Highway system was built in the 50s bypassing the downtowns.
The downtown businesses were usually family operations that ranged from bakeries to grocery stores, even clothing shops and jewelry stores. Farmers had basically the same situation, only they worked the rural land that had been handed down to them, and often lived in the same farm house in which they'd been born. The point I'm making here, is men did not measure their self worth and success by their "toys" and extras, but by what their hands and hard work produced. Business people in town strove to create the finest apparel or long wearing leather craft, exquisite jewelry, or . . . a tangible product of worth. They were recognized for craftsmanship, rather than accumulation. Farmers strove to have the finest crops and healthy herds, rather than newest tractor and biggest house.
Now that our society has become intensely materialistic and entertainment oriented, one thing has remained consistent. Entrepreneurs do not need entertainment. The movers and shakers of this century are not sitting by idly awaiting the next gadget.
I've done a bit of figuring. When the farmers and businessmen of our history made their living and supported their families, their product, produce, and the manners of their children were a reflection of their success. Free time was considered laziness and extravagant extras were considered a sign of poor management. A good farmer or businessman didn't owe anyone. His value was not in what he made an hour, but what he built in life and what he would hand down to the next generation.
For the most part our society has stopped building and stopped investing. It takes a significant hourly wage to live for the moment! Quality craftsmanship has lasting value when applied and taught to the next generation. Land has lasting value, when worked. Hourly wages spent on entertainment and gadgets are gone very quickly, and soon forgotten. Life insurance has replaced inheritances and that basically makes the statement: "we are worth more dead than alive."
It's not too late to invest our G-d-given talents and invest in the next generation.
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