In a post yesterday, Not My Thing, I mentioned that "people should involve themselves in the political process in one form or another." A commenter (Joy) made an astute observation.
Of course, if a person exercises the choice not to vote, then the individual should endeavor to find different ways to be politically active. To this end, I was involved in "third party" politics for over a decade and participated in a variety of ways with several advocacy groups. In today's world, interspersed amongst the Taoist ramblings on this blog, I also address many political issues in the hopes that I can draw attention to my preferred political position.
Today, I'm going to do just that. There is a movement afoot -- both internationally and nationally -- for average folks to weigh in on the economic and political world on December 7.
As Dave Lindorff writes at This Can't Be Happening,
If I had an account with one of these behemoths, I would participate in this action without giving it a second thought. Unfortunately, I decided years ago not to bank with any of these monstrosities! When Della and I lived in Salem and Aberdeen, we had our accounts at local credit unions. Sadly, there isn't a credit union in Pacific County, so our accounts are held at a small community-oriented regional bank.
If you bank with giants like Bank of America or Wells Fargo, I urge you to learn more about this proposed action and to switch your money to a credit union or a community bank. From my perspective, this is a far more powerful tool than voting in elections; you instead will be casting your vote with your dollars.
In previous posts you have mentioned the uselessness of voting. Here it sounds like you support voting. At least I assume that's what you mean by "involve yourself in the political process". Or do you have something else in mind?I realize that a lot of people equate voting with participating in the political process. I certainly wouldn't dispute this point. However, voting is but one arrow in the quiver! When a person believes that none of the candidates represents your interests, NOT voting can be a viable option.
Of course, if a person exercises the choice not to vote, then the individual should endeavor to find different ways to be politically active. To this end, I was involved in "third party" politics for over a decade and participated in a variety of ways with several advocacy groups. In today's world, interspersed amongst the Taoist ramblings on this blog, I also address many political issues in the hopes that I can draw attention to my preferred political position.
Today, I'm going to do just that. There is a movement afoot -- both internationally and nationally -- for average folks to weigh in on the economic and political world on December 7.
"A spectre is haunting Europe." Its not the revolution that Karl Marx supposed would come about. Nor is it Parisian students and workers taking to the streets as in May 1968. It is the vision of hordes of Europeans striking back at those who caused the 2008 financial crash. This time, organizers are calling for the use of a new weapon, one available to any of us with a bank account. It is the simple act of removing all of our money from the banks, and doing so in mass on the same day - December 7th.It's also starting to gain some traction on this side of the pond too. The effort in the US is be spearheaded at Stop Bank! USA.
While it is hard to know who first thought of this marvelous act of political theater, it has begun to take serious traction in France and is now spreading across Europe...
As Dave Lindorff writes at This Can't Be Happening,
The banking industry is clearly nervous. In France, a spokeswoman for the banking industry called the idea of an organized bank run "stupid," and warned that it would be an invitation to thieves to steal people's money.In my book, this is political involvement at its zenith. This strategy provides a mechanism by which average folks can make a big statement. If enough people get on board, think of the panic in corporate boardrooms!!
But organizers in the US have an easy answer to that. The US movement is calling on people not to take their money out as cash, but to close their accounts at major regional or national banks and to move the money on Dec. 7 to independent community banks or--better yet--to credit unions.
Besides, it's really ironic to hear a bank spokesperson warning depositers about thieves, when it is clear that the bankers themselves are the real thieves these days--stealing peoples' homes through deceptive mortgage terms and through fraudulent foreclosures, stealing their money through deceptive fees and penalties, and stealing their retirement security by wrecking the economy while enriching the managers of the banks via undeserved massive bonus payments tallied in the billions of dollars...
If I had an account with one of these behemoths, I would participate in this action without giving it a second thought. Unfortunately, I decided years ago not to bank with any of these monstrosities! When Della and I lived in Salem and Aberdeen, we had our accounts at local credit unions. Sadly, there isn't a credit union in Pacific County, so our accounts are held at a small community-oriented regional bank.
If you bank with giants like Bank of America or Wells Fargo, I urge you to learn more about this proposed action and to switch your money to a credit union or a community bank. From my perspective, this is a far more powerful tool than voting in elections; you instead will be casting your vote with your dollars.
withdrawing your money won't make much difference. the fed can create tons more and loan it to the banks at almost zero percent interest.
ReplyDeletehowever, if you put your savings into gold (or silver), that will (eventually) get their attention.
re: credit unions -- depending on your needs, you can still use the credit union where you used to live. my credit card is thru a credit union that's half-way across the country from me. and my checking account is at a credit union about 45 minute drive from me. i mail deposits in to them, and haven't had any problems so far.
--sgl