Great thoughts and some good background! I tell people to vote with their
dollars by buying locally. Here's how I figure it:
If I go to a locally owned hardware store instead of a large chain warehouse
for supplies, I'm paying more for my purchases (short term), but I'm saving
money in the long term. Since the local hardware is a 1 mile round trip, I save
on gas and driving time. (I value my time.) I can also combine this with other
stops at locally owned businesses and be more efficient with my time and gas
and wear & tear on my truck. (Being able to find locally or even US produced
goods is challenging.)
I'm also keeping my money in the local economy by buying from local businesses.
If he owner of the store buys locally and deposits his/her money in a local
bank or S&L, the money is available to locals for homes, business loans, etc.
When I buy from a large chain, a small % is paid in wages and most goes to
corporate headquarters out of the state or country.
When we buy from locals, they have the money to buy our products and services
and we can buy theirs. Globalization is an acceleration of the concentration of
wealth, resulting in violent social upheaval.
Some communities have come up with their own currency to buy & sell with more
equity, basing the units on hours worked rather than a manipulated and
fluctuating international currency.
We grow fruit and vegetables in the Chattanooga, TN area and sell them directly
to families through subscription farming. We support our customer's businesses
by buying from them and promotion to others.
Happy Fourth of July to you and to all the independent thinkers and doers!
BILL DUESING wrote:
> The most revolutionary thing we can do this July Fourth is to become more
> firmly local. We can learn how to live in this region, using its resources
> to supply our needs. Shop, invest and produce locally. Your garden is a
> great place to start.
>
> Happy Fourth of July
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