Posted on 08/09/2009 10:54:48 AM PDT by Kaslin
The resistance is well underway.
Affluent Americans – defined as the top 20 percent of U.S. households by income – spent about 10 percent less in 2008 than they did in 2007, according to a study by luxury-goods researcher Unity Marketing. And those households with incomes of $250,000 or more are cutting back on spending even more than all affluent households overall. 54 percent of these consumers are spending even less in 2009 than in 2008.
Those $250,000+ earners, threatened and demonized by President Obama, are retaliating with their most powerful and damaging weapon: not spending. It is a quiet, deliberate, determined, very real resistance.
To be sure, some of the cutbacks in spending are related to investment losses, job losses and actual reduction of spending capacity. But much more has nothing whatsoever to do with the ability to spend – only with the unwillingness to spend.
Most in media do not understand the reality of this deliberately reduced and postponed spending as a political resistance movement. But that’s what it is. I’ve talked to many affluent entrepreneurs and professionals who have worked hard for years to finally reach their present income levels. They are intentionally refusing to spend money as a means of protest.
I was recently thinking about replacing my Ford Explorer with a new SUV, at minimum a new Explorer, but perhaps a Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade. The day Obama first trumpeted the proposed 5.4 percent tax surcharge on gross income of us high-productivity, high-responsibility, high income earners I changed my mind. Instead I spent $514.00 getting a little fender ding months old fixed, paint scratches touched up and the car detailed. The $30,000.00 or $40,000.00 I would have spent on the new car – and I’m a cash buyer – can sleep idly in the bank until the man who has chosen me as his target is gone. And I view it as deliberately depriving him of spending he desperately needs to help his economy. He needs me and others like me buying a new car a whole lot more than I need one.
This is also the first calendar year in at least a decade in which I’ve gone 7 months without buying so much as a single stitch of new clothing. Not a necktie, not a sports-jacket, not a shoelace. Not because I lack the financial ability. And not because I lack interest. I usually buy at least a few new things each season, and for my speaking engagements, I’m actually overdue a new suit. A store I patronize even advertised a remarkably attractive offer last week, offering two free suits with purchase of one. But I will not give the president even a dime of help. I have joined the Affluent Resistance Movement.
Business owners, CEO’s and entrepreneurs are resistors too. Fred Smith at Federal Express has outright stated his company’s order for a fleet of jets is pending and subject to cancellation should the speed-to-unionization scheme Obama supports be enacted – in effect, another epic tax on businesses like his. More CEOs need to step up and make similar threats. If the President will threaten business, why shouldn’t business threaten back?
Together, those in the resistance should all go public, and tell the affected merchants, service providers and professionals why. Business leaders can explain to their vendors that the money not spent with them is political resistance. If those of us in the $250,000+ targeted group, and those who lead companies small and large, all cut spending by yet another 10 percent or 20 percent, we can protest more emphatically than if we all picked up placards and marched up and down Pennsylvania Avenue. We can demonstrate that no power trumps the power of the purse.
It pains me greatly to suggest this, since I advise businesses on marketing and I am paid to help them boost sales. But desperate times demand desperate measures. So I say: send a message. Join the resistance. Buy nothing.
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Absolutely how it should be done...And tell everyone you know...Or don’t know...
Not a bad idea at all. However, I WILL continue to buy silver, ammo and firearms. (Along with tennis balls for my Lab puppy.) Can’t do without the necessities!
Y'know, you're VERY naive. Exactly what part of "the press" would publicize the problems of small business owners?? NONE, that's what. The left DO pretty much "own the soapbox" as regards the mass media. The only reason the counter-ideas get any traction at all is due to the Internet, and you can bet that the left is looking really hard to figure out how to control THAT, too.
I am in complete solidarity. We've laid off as many Obama supporters as we could identify and I'm not spending money on diddly right now. I'm not supporting Obama's nightmare. I'll not use my money to help his Failed Obama Administration© and I really don't want to look well off right now because I don't want ACORN goons harassing me because I have the audacity to be successful. So don't look to me Obama to make your political dreams come true...
Uh... we figured this one out about a year ago. Money isn’t stupid...
The only thing I’ve boughten besides food, gas, etc, was new underwear, jeans, a pair of sandals, and splurged on a new exercise hoodie that was 1/2 price on sale, $15. Last Christmas, I spent less than $100, made a bunch of stuff. I plan on doing this this year. We’ve been doing this quietly for over a year now.
Oh, we did buy a .45 beretta and ammo, too.
We have a saying, we’ve gone Galt.
It's not a nutjob place.
Is it going to be illegal to sell leftover inventory as of then or just to manufacture after then?
Kill them off before they find out.
If they could, the founding fathers would be asking us what we were waiting for.
Banks are now tracking cashed checks.
I dont think there is anywhere to cash checks without a trail.
Sounds a little too much like "Kauft nicht bei Jueden" for me .... besides, a) it's a little hard to do, and b) some Democrats don't deserve the hard use.
Remember, it's just the top echelons of the Left Wing of their party that are doing all this -- a minority of a minority of the plurality.
Where’s the best sources for online ammo?
Them they’ll say it’s “Political Discrimination!” ;) But, eFF them.
Another couple of years and he'll be like some of the Philadelphia Main Line types that I worked for. My favorite was the cracked leather across the wingtips.
Obama's boys have got a little surprise for you guys .... but we'll discuss later ..... no point bringing it up prematurely, before you've finished stuffing your Roth accounts .....
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