What’s crazy and I feel very shortsighted of the Democrats is that they aren’t doing this more often. There is a large population that will/would respond to this type of politicking from the “opposition”. They would generate tons of energy for more protests and put more pressure on the republicans to oppose shit.

instead we get:

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has garnered scorn for meeting with Silicon Valley executives to “mend fences” with the powerful tech sector—where numerous CEOs have signaled support for Trump during his second term.

Ken Martin, the newly elected chair of the Democratic National Committee, said last month that the party should continue to take money from “good billionaires.”

They maybe advertising the dates on social media like bluesky and x? I’m on neither but probably a good place to look.

I’d love to get a few videos from his speeches to share with people to hopefully build more energy around this.

Very true and I’m really happy to see that it did work.

I was thinking more of removing trump and his lessor demons from power, or at least getting Congress to actually hold him accountable for his actions. That, I feel, will take a more sustained pressure from a large part of the population.

I think your optimistic side is right, pressure from the masses works. There are 100’s of examples from all over the world and from all parts of the past. The thing is that it doesn’t work fast. It takes time and commitment to make those in power feel the pressure.

we now live in a world where people’s attention spans have been eroded and our comfort level (for most) is just good enough that we aren’t going to move out of it unless things get really dire.

I think it will happen, but unfortunately I don’t see it happening until things get worse.

Most people are shareholders.

This doesn’t play out in the data. Analysis of the Fed data found that the lion’s share of these gains went to the richest 1 percent. This elite group owns 54 percent of public equity markets, up from 40 percent in 2002.

Most people that work these in these large big box shops are not making enough to invest significantly in the stock market. Who are are the owners of these big box stores.

Also this idea all small business owners are some large conglomerate of self-righteous all for me fuck you doesn’t play out over the larger population. Sure some people are but you are also making sound bad that someone that was successful with their small business shouldn’t travel?

What do you think the owners of these large companies like target and walmart are doing with their profit? Not all of that is going to pension plans.

Also, this idea that big conglomerate stores are some how the savior of the free market is a weird hill to die on.

It really is that simple. Sure the big box stores hire local but the money doesn’t stay local if there are no smaller shops. Their paychecks go to other large corporations that have their big box stores in the area. So no money actually helps the businesses but instead just enriches a small group of people that really don’t give a shit about the people of the town.

This isn’t a guilt trip to get you to buy local, this is the truth. It’s been happening since the 80’s starting with Walmart.

Small business can’t compete on price but a good business will compete and win on quality. It means that their products will be more expensive and I get that some people will not be able to afford it. But for those people that have the means its a win-win for the business and the consumer.

Some small businesses have shady employment practices, so do large corporations and every sized business in between. This isn’t a good argument not to try to buy more locally, but it is a good argument for better labor laws.

Basically, local Butcher baker and green grocer.

So local butcher’s, bakers and green grocers somehow get a pass on possibly having shady employment practices?

Aren’t you advocating then that people are taking from the pension plans of large grocery stores by buying local ?

Please if you have the opportunity to start buying from small businesses. It may be a bit more inconvenient and probably a bit more expensive but it is a great way to help out your neighbor.

Additionally the money you spend locally usually stays local and not go to a CEO or Chairman of the board that really doesn’t need another vacation home in Italy or Aspen.

It’s a mental illness that is worshiped by an unfortunately large population of people.