[NOTE: This is not a duplicate of an earlier diary. It’s an enhancement.]
We CAN do this. Absolutely. If we really want it, we can get it.
Here’s how...
We go on a general spending strike, and don’t let up until we get what we want. We buy only necessities. We buy nothing else. (How else will we be able to even TRY to save enough for healthcare?)
Oh, I can hear the objections. The howling. Let me answer those first...
1. That would kill the recovery.
I hate to break it to you, but there is no recovery. Obama’s plan was gutted and the economy continues to shed hundreds of thousands of jobs every month. In fact, the economy is plummeting faster than the previous Great Depression.
2. It would hurt small businesses.
I know. That’s not my objective. But small businesses, at the moment, haven’t got much of a future. There are fewer and fewer people with jobs (and money) to buy their stuff. And the poor small businesses can’t get the credit they need to survive. If they are depending on getting money from an increasingly impoverished population, well...then, they never had a chance.
That said, once "we the people" realize the power we have...when we work together with actions like withholding spending...we can do more good things and make more demands. Including helping small business.
3. We can’t get everybody to buy in to this plan.
True. But we don’t need to. For example, in the 1970s beef prices shot up and the public was mad. Many consumers stopped buying beef—a beef boycott.
The beef industry suffered terribly and people got out of the habit of eating beef several times a week. It took decades for the beef industry to recover. Not everyone needed to participate in the boycott...but a significant number did.
That said, I’m not the person with the resources and ability to start a spending boycott. But someone could. For example, kos...if he wanted to.
4. It won’t work. The pharma industry and our "representatives" (owned by the pharma industry) won’t budge.
True, they won’t want to. But they won’t have a choice because we won’t give them one. We will hold the economy hostage...just like the financial services industry did last fall.
I notice that the financial services industry got a trillion dollars that "we didn't have" by holding the economy hostage. Our "representatives" moved pretty darned quick that time. We can force their hand, too.
5. The gov’t can’t afford it.
Uh...right. We can afford two wars and an ongoing occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. We can afford to give about a trillion dollars to financial "services" (sic) corporations, including huge bonuses for their executives. We can afford military equipment (like new jets) we don’t need.
But we can’t afford healthcare? Transparent nonsense.
NOW, ON TO WHY A SPENDING BOYCOTT WOULD WORK.
1. It’s easier than you think.
We're already doing it (somewhat) already. We can’t afford to spend much. Millions have lost their jobs. Many who still have jobs are carrying huge debt and have decreased access to credit. And those who are lucky and still have jobs...well, we're heading for 25%+ unemployment...so we might as well prepare...and save if we can.
Really, why not stop wasting your hard earned money now, and save it to keep youreself alive when you’re unemployed? And, as a bonus, maybe get heathcare out of the deal.
2. We have enormous power if we’re ready to use it.
Yes, big corporations can buy politicians. And politicians have shown they can ignore the 76% of us who want the public option. And they (rightfully) expect to get re-elected anyway. But...
We have power too. Every corporation and politician is depending on us for labor and spending. Without us doing our part, they have nobody to steal from. So, all we need to do is say: stop. We demand public healthcare. It’s non-negotiable. If you want our money, you will meet our demands. Completely. Now.
Now, we just need a really good organizer...