We Have the Power of the Purse

A Political Post

If you’re overwhelmed with politics and don’t want to read about any more of it, I understand if you scroll on by. I will catch up with you in the next post. If you’re interested in possibly making an impact, read on. I originally posted this as a Note, but then I decided to share it with everyone as a post sent out to my subscribers.

The United States Constitution bestows the “Power of the Purse” upon Congress. This means that they get to make decisions regarding disbursement of federal funds. However, those funds flow from we, the people. You know, the very first words of the Preamble to the Constitution. If we, the people, snap shut our wallets, the audacity of the oligarchs may hit a speedbump.

You’ve probably seen a lot of posts about marches and protests and boycotts. Those usually happen for only a day or two. Below is a picture that has been circulating. The first protest already happened on February 17. The next one is a 24-hour blackout on any purchases on February 28. In March, there’s one week dedicated to not buying anything from Amazon followed by a day where everyone takes the day off work in a general strike.

I’m not much of an organizer, and I don’t understand the mechanisms of these protests and boycotts and strikes. Might they do something to send a message? Maybe. But I’m not sure if these brief movements will really have a lasting impact.

Here’s what I’m doing. You can join me if you want. For the entire month of February, I haven’t purchased anything from Amazon or any other large retailer. I’ve bought groceries and my prescriptions, which cost as much as my groceries every month. I haven’t made any trips to Star-B’s or McD’s, or anywhere else, other than the mom-and-pop diner down the road that makes the world’s best bean soup.

I’ve been sick for half the month, so that makes it easier to stay home and not spend money. I call my methodology “Just Say No.” AKA, “I’m f’n broke, Bro.”

Remember during the Covid lockdown when nobody went out and spent money and businesses were freaking out? Maybe we need to do that again.

FINANCIAL BLACKOUT UNTIL APRIL 5, 2025. SPEND NOTHING. BUY NOTHING.

Spending dollars at a business is more effective than spending your votes on a politician. Your elected officials only think about your vote when it’s campaign season. Businesses need a fresh transfusion of your money every day or they will dry up and blow away.

For the next six weeks, buy nothing but necessities like food and medicine. And buy as much of those items as possible from a small business.

Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash

Definitely support your local small businesses. Shop the local grocer instead of the supermarket. Eat at Joe’s diner instead of a chain restaurant. But keep your dollars away from any business that’s traded on the stock market. See if you can keep doing this until April 5th. That’s six weeks to starve corporations into taking action. Remember, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are people. So maybe Congress and the Senate will be motivated to listen to their corporate constituents more than they are with us.

Will this idea have any impact? Who knows. If we do nothing, we may lose our democracy. If we accomplish nothing else with this tactic, we can save a few dollars.

If you’re with me, keep your wallet in your pocket and share this idea with your friends.

FINANCIAL BLACKOUT UNTIL APRIL 5, 2025. SPEND NOTHING. BUY NOTHING.