I looked At Blue And Decided To Spend My Green On Red

A friend sent me a tip to check out the article Spending Some Green On Red Or Blue at Fox News about BuyBlue.org. The FAQs page provides a great amount of information.

Why was BuyBlue.org started?

On the morning after the 2004 election, half of the country woke up in disbelief and disgust. Shortly afterwards it turned to anger and bitterness and many were entertaining moving to another country. It didn't take long for all of us to collectively realize that we had lost our country to the other side and we wanted, no needed to do something about it. It was at that moment that the original idea for BuyBlue.org was born.

(It might be petty of me to ask why they never leave when there are already so many socialist utopias to relocate to. Perhaps Sweden, where they can ponder how the good socialists of IKEA can exploit cheap Taiwanese labor to sell inexpensive goods to middle class Americans.)

But, do tell us more!

What is BuyBlue.org all about?

Mission Statement: BuyBlue.org supports businesses that share our progressive values and ideals. BuyBlue.org uses our power as consumers to vote with our wallets, supporting businesses that abide by sustainability, workers' rights, environmental standards, and corporate transparency. At the same time, BuyBlue.org organizes vast boycotts against businesses that violate the essential values of a sustainable, fair and profitable society through their policies and the politicians they support.

Vision Statement: BuyBlue.org will become a powerful tool used by a community of millions dissatisfied with the ineffectiveness of our elected and appointed leaders. We will form strong coalitions with stockholders, shareholders, corporations, small businesses and communities which share our values to gain strength through numbers. We will influence the political landscape, stimulate economic growth among participating businesses and industries and use the American dollar as an incentive for corporate transparency and responsibility.

Oddly enough, there isn't much that I would disagree with here. This, at least, gives the appearance of being a market-based solution. It strikes me as fundamental that purchasing decisions should (and do) include a "Values" component. I do wonder how "vast" the boycotts will be.

Values

1. We believe that most politicians no longer serve the public's interest and instead pander to influential corporations and special interests.
2. We believe that America can be great and united again, but first we must embrace progressive ideals that work in the interests of all of our citizens, not simply those in the majority or those who are privileged.
3. We believe that the best way to encourage our political leaders and corporations to enforce progressive ideals is to vote for those ideals the only way those groups understand; with our collective buying power.
4. We believe that as a community we can, will, and must make a difference

Substitute "conservative" or "free market" for "progressive" and try this on for size. Now, you must look at the list before you read the next section.

What if I want to Buy Red?

This too is a very common question we get asked, although it is usually more inflammatory or a threat of some kind. Those are always amusing reads. Our answer: more power to you! By doing so you are helping us to achieve our ultimate goal and you are helping to get the attention of corporations. Thank You!

However, the people that write us and tell us they are going to "buy red" don't understand the vision of the web site and don't understand that we control the definition of "buying red". Currently, our information is politically based, but when it becomes comprehensive I think these same people will find that "buying red" is an untenable position. "Buying red" will no longer mean supporting corporations who donated to the Republican party, it'll mean supporting corporations that pay sub-standard wages, have unethical business practices, destroy the environment to make a buck, and discriminate against minorities, women and homosexuals. In fact there is a chance you might even find corporations who contributed to Democrats declared "red" or at the very least borderline.

This isn't about politics, it is about positive social change and bringing about a sustainable, fair and profitable society.

Did you notice the Orwellian moment in that passage?

"Buying red" will no longer mean supporting corporations who donated to the Republican party, it'll mean supporting corporations that pay sub-standard wages, have unethical business practices, destroy the environment to make a buck, and discriminate against minorities, women and homosexuals. In fact there is a chance you might even find corporations who contributed to Democrats declared "red" or at the very least borderline.

It is an interesting propaganda technique to morph the symbol. On the other hand, one could read this passage and conclude that corporations who donate to the Republican Party are not those which "pay sub-standard wages, have unethical business practices, destroy the environment to make a buck, and discriminate against minorities, women and homosexuals."

I also wonder if those corporations who contributed to Democrats that are declared "red" will be identified as to political affiliation. Considering such businesses as Global Crossing, or the activities of a Frank Purdue and Terry MacAuliff, they should find more than a few candidates. However, I suspect that the key phrase "there is a chance" is an indication of their expectation as to that possibility and an indication of how hard they will be looking.

This site has some value and, if the information is presented honestly, could be useful. Such surveys are limited in value by the size of their samples. If they only look at "Enrons" and ignore "Global Crossings", then this site will be just another political hackjob. High on their list of persons to investigate should be George Soros, a manipulator of international monetary systems for his own profit. (That is a far too kind description of Mr. Soros activities.) Perhaps MoveOn.Org will assist them in this investigation. I don't think I will hold my breath though.

We will see if it is true that "(this) isn't about politics, it is about positive social change and bringing about a sustainable, fair and profitable society."