You Say You Want a Revolution

When I got back to Portland, there was a large demonstration marching down Burnside. Considering where it was occuring, it is probably safe to assume it was a collection of Progressives protesting the policies of the current administration. While I admire people getting out and sharing their disapproval of the direction this country is going, you are voicing Progressive ideals…in a Progressive city, in the Progressive heart of our city—

To coin a cliche, you are preaching to the converted.

To quote a brilliant man who beat women and neglected his first son, “You say you a revolution.”

Well, let me tell you how to have a revolution that actually works.

Demonstrations are cathartic: You are no longer alone with your fears and concerns, you are surrounded by people who feel the same way. Yelling your protests, getting out everything you’ve been turning over and over in solitude. Feels good, right?

The problem with street protests is quite simple: The people who run this country do not a give a fuck. Not a single, solitary fuck. They own the media, they control the narrative, they can spin your march down Burnside however they want.

A real revolution is often solitary and loads of work, it involves sacrifice, like giving up Amazon or changing your insurance or re-financing your car and home. The inconvienence of public transportation.

Which corporate entities are funding MAGA candidates (if that is your protest)? Stop shopping them, stop using their service, but send a letter. An actual letter. With a stamp. No one does that shit anymore, I would imagine it gets noticed…especially if they got a few thousand of them:

Dear (Evil Corporate Bastard),

I am a regular user/subscriber to (product/service). Due to your support of (representative/policy), which this loyal customer finds unacceptable, I am cutting (usage/my subscription) of your product/service by (25/50/75 percent). If you continue your suport of (see above), I will cut my use of your product/service by 100.

I will also be putting a (Google/Bing/etc) review of your product, stating the above.

Thank you for your time and attention in this matter, I genuinely enjoy your (product/service) and hope I am able to continue using it.

This is how you get their attention, the bottom line. It’s all about numbers, and if the numbers drop, heads start rolling.

Businesses, even large ones, follow reviews closely. If they get a bunch of three or even two star reviews, it lowers their average rating and puts them at the mercy of their competition. 

You say you want a revolution, prepare for sacrifice: Stop having Amazon deliver (that’s a tough one for me). Carless? Form a group with at least one driver, rent a car once a week or every couple of weeks for a shared shopping trip.

Research your bank, even your seemingly independent credit union; if they are linked to a financial institution that supports policies you feel detrimental, dump them.

Your bank, your insurance company, where you shop etc. etc.

Don’t like how the president is so focused on continuing a fossil fuel future? Get ready to write another series of letters to oil companies…and drop your gas usage from 25 to 50 percent.

The letters are simply the shot across the bow, the decrease in revenue is what creates a gushing wound.

Your real power in this country is not your vote—(though keep doing so)—it is how you spend your money.

You say you want a revolution, share this blog. If I get enough comments I will make this a series, I will draft letters, I will go deeper into ideas to help create real change but…

Like I said, it will require a lot of work and sacrifice...