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.
You got the last one right. No business with Democrats. This includes the people that you hire, the people that do your yard, the store owner where you shop.
lol!
A tuner '88 Crown Vic or '93 Buick LeSabre that has "fair" paint and excellent mechanials and electrics would go a long way to starving the Obummer-supporting dealers at Chrysler and GM who survived the dealer blowdown because they hadn't given $$ to the GOP, would be one place to start.
Just because it says "'88" on the title doesn't mean you can't have a cannon under the hood and Michelin Pilots on all four corners.
Clunker, my ass. Give me a car that runs hard, and you can keep your Eurotwinky "Smart Fortwo".
Best sources for on-line ammo:
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
www.cheaperthandirt.com
www.midwayusa.com
www.sinclairintl.com
www.grafs.com
www.natchezss.com
That should get you started
Gold is currently 900/ounce right? And last year it was close to half that.
So it’s lose 50% on gold for a certainty or lose more on inflation if I keep cash, am I right?
Neither option looks good to me.
Don’t forget Ammoman.com
re: Appleseed Project - thx for the heads up. I’ve been looking for an org like this! I’m in the market for a great rifle, but I’m a newbie. Any suggestions?
Don't do any business with Democrats, ever.
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.
Whoa, beg to differ. Crystal night was a result of racial hatred of the Nazis for the Jews. Todays battle is for ideology and politics - BIG difference! Any Democrat who voted for B-HO deserves to feel the consequence of their foolish actions.
Yeah, there is a bunch, just google ammo...
The ones I listed are my favs. Good prices, fast delivery, etc.
....and by the way, thanks an awful lot for this post. It’s contents should go a long way in saving this great country.
Uh...ok...;-)
When I have money I sure do feel a whole lot smarter...
Hey thanks alot, SR! Much appreciated. bL^$^
Indeed! I think the finer point being, an America built in the image of obamessiah would only be a shadow of its former greatness and would not be worth saving anyway.
I like your tag line.
Those men and their families gave up everything to secure freedom for America. We have shamelessly squandered away our birthright.
You know, I asked a respectful question out of a sincere desire to have matters explained. My post was not critical or condemnatory; I merely wished for someone to clarify this approach to our economic problems. There is absolutely no need for you to snark at me. If you don’t want to answer a legitimate question, that’s fine; the question was not addressed to you out of all the other Freepers who read the thread.
That would be about $9800 I could save up in cash to buy more weapons and ammo. After I move, I can rent a comparable place for about $600 a month. Since my equity AND my income got cut in half, I will save another $100,000 that I lost when the equity dropped. And since my income has dropped, and I don't have money to buy anything on credit anyway, my credit score which is around 780 now means very little anyway
the $10,000 will go a long way in military supplies for the coming revolution
don’t forget to stock up on ammonium nitrate
Thats a good idea, the ACE hardware near me is owned and operated by a family of liberals, I think I'll let them know I'll be shopping at the "state store" (home depot) from now on
Marshall Law coming soon!!!!!
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