Here is my message to socialists: Boycott the capitalists! Once the capitalists cannot receive profit from their obviously harmful activities, they will stop being capitalists. If you can’t boycott the capitalists, then the capitalists are actually putting you in a better situation. If you would suffer losses from boycotting the capitalists, then the capitalists are actually putting you in a better situation.
Here is my message to people who oppose greedy fat rich guys: Boycott them.
This is a nonviolent way, and permissable way, to overturn these unfair systems, unless THE STATE stops you.
I don’t think this is an effective way to expose the absurdity of their beliefs, for the simple reason that they do not understand (or accept) the basic premise of the free market economy: voluntary exchange. Therefore, they will easily turn the argument around and suggest you do the same thing for the government. Do not utilize any of the government services. Just as you are forced to use the roads to get out of your house, so will they claim they are forced to buy the products from the Capitalists.
You don’t need to convince me, I’m just pointing out the anticipated response to your remark.
One said a strawman that my statement implied that capitalism was more beneficial than harmful, and then said it is an infeasable strategy without saying why.
A form of this was discussed on Free Talk Live. The host pointed out correctly that he is against most boycotts of very large and powerful businesses simply because these businesses became large and powerful by satisfying enough customers that they gained world wide penetration into their markets. This is especially true for the large retailers: Walmart, Target, Kroger, Home Depot, etc. If you boycott say Walmart then you eliminated several thousand stores from your list of places to shop. If you eliminate say Walmart and Target, or Home Depot and Lowe’s then you are without a whole bunch of places to shop, this is especially true for rural places that don’t have a lot of shopping venues anyway.
So for you socialists, you are much better off using the Obama method of creeping Fascism to acheive socialism than you will ever be by boycotting anything.
I’ve already tried the same tactics with Global Warmers: scrap your car, get off the electrical grid (because you cannot know where it comes from), go do your washing down at the river… did it work? No because it’s always “other people” (Chinese with their coal power plants, Americans driving SUVs etc) causing the problem. So save yourself the time and effort because they don’t deserve it.
I am replying because the discussion took a suprising turn. The person I debated denied the existance of scarcity. How do you respond when they state THE BIG LIE!
The process of boycotting government is not to not use their roads, it is to instead stop feeding the beast, I pay as little in taxes as possible, so in a sense I am boycotting the government. How I do this:
Ignoring all the insulting allegations against socialists, and the “creeping Fascism” arguement…
Speaking as a socialist, we hate lifestylists, those who try to “boycott capitalism” and the like. Usually these are your dumpster diving teenage punks and the Crimethinc crew. There are 2 ways out of capitalism: Revolution or death, there’s no way to boycott/form communes and still escape it.
I was out of breath, two capitalists hot on my tail. I risked a glance behind me, then ducked behind a corner and prayed to God they didn’t find me. What had I done to deserve this torture? Is there no way to escape the capitalists?! As they edged closer I could hear the blood-curdling shouts of, “Chili dogs 99 cents! Get your chili dogs!” Mercifully, they passed by and soon sought other victims of low-priced offers that people were given - horrors! - the choice to pay for or refuse. I trust the reader will forgive such graphic details, as this has been a difficult time for me.
As I emerged from my hiding place, thinking myself finally safe from the vicious capitalists, a friendly-looking woman approached me. She was a nice, reasonable girl, or so I thought. Little did I know that she intended to offer me a job, and with unfathomable cruelty and evil, proceed to tell me that I could take it or leave it. I know you’re thinking, “Good God, what kind of monster is she!?” but I have to stop here, I’m getting too emotional to continue…
Unfortunately, this tactic won’t be as effective as it would be in a freed market. As long as the state continues to intervene in many and varied ways, generally on the behalf of the politically well-connected, your options are limited. If the state is limiting competition, you may not have any other options as to where to do your business.