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kansasobama

(1,588 posts)
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 09:18 AM Jan 22

What small contribution can we do to hurt oligarchy and Trump

As a citizen in red Kansas, I am limited in what I can do. Generally. I tend to write/focus on senators and Congressmen outside my state to get anything, if at all.

Myself and my wife have decided to do our best to not support the Tech Bros and MAGA oligarchy. We fully know that there are limitations. I may be supporting MAGA without even my knowledge. Are my retirement funds invested in MAGA companies? So, the first thing we noticed is, we have to do away with Amazon Prime membership. Yes. I will miss a few movies and football but, maybe, I can just pay for a few games. Will see. We are exploring ditching Walmart and going for Target. I hope more experienced DUers, who are up with this, to advice what we can avoid. I know I cannot influence much but I want to do my best.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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What small contribution can we do to hurt oligarchy and Trump (Original Post) kansasobama Jan 22 OP
A few things we're doing... morillon Jan 22 #1
Thank you Morillon kansasobama Jan 22 #4
History has shown that BDS movements have very little effect on governments. Lonestarblue Jan 22 #2
Looking forward kansasobama Jan 22 #5
I recommend relentless and merciless ridicule. They are clowns. Walleye Jan 22 #3
I also do that kansasobama Jan 22 #6

morillon

(1,320 posts)
1. A few things we're doing...
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 09:32 AM
Jan 22

I think every little bit helps. And by making these changes in your own life, you influence others to do the same.

A few ideas:

- Order from Costco when possible. They have a long history of supporting Democrats. Their people are unionized.
- If you're still on Twitter, export your posts and then leave. Bluesky has a lot of momentum right now, and I don't see that slowing down. There are other federated platforms like Mastodon and Pixelfed that can be good mirrors of your posts, too.
- Same with FB and Insta. FB is tougher, but Friendica (another federated platform) has potential, if not today then soon, IMO.
- For any products you would've bought from Amazon, look for another supplier, whether that's the vendor or another retailer.

There's lots more, but these are things my family is doing.

Leaving Twitter helps in more than just one way. For one, you aren't looking at or clicking on their ads. Sponsors who place ads will see a decrease in their stats. Over time, it should theoretically mean that Twitter can't charge as much for ads. If they're not able to deliver the engagement sponsors want to see, then they can't charge as much. Lowering the Monthly Active Users total helps.

Lonestarblue

(12,193 posts)
2. History has shown that BDS movements have very little effect on governments.
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 09:36 AM
Jan 22

The BDS movement protesting Israel’s settlements in the West Bank have had zero effect. There are mixed reviews of whether the boycotts, disinvestments, and sanctions had mired than a minimal impact on the South African system of apartheid. Sanctions on Russia have hurt its economy but have done nothing to stop Putin’s vicious attack or change Russia’s government.

When I gave time, I’ll see what I can find about the direct causes of South Africa’s end of apartheid. It might be informative for a direction to end Trump’s hold on our electorate.

Walleye

(37,369 posts)
3. I recommend relentless and merciless ridicule. They are clowns.
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 09:46 AM
Jan 22

I don’t know exactly what else we can do about it. But don’t accept their antics as serious.

kansasobama

(1,588 posts)
6. I also do that
Wed Jan 22, 2025, 10:13 AM
Jan 22

Yes. I do that side by side. In fact. that is the only reason I am still on twitter but I do not try to click anything there

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