Progressives are busy these days. Protesters march against corporate takeover of government all over the world, some are turning these protests into all night, all week sleepovers. The underlying message everywhere seems to be that we need to place over our values over profit. Simply put, we want to value people over profits.
Critics claim these marches will accomplish little. I say progressives are making headway at last. For those of us who can't make it to protests but want to have impact, here are a few suggestions.
1. Cut up your credit cards. Use cash or cash-backed cards.
2. Use credit unions instead of large banks. Go to
findacreditunion.com and type in your city, state and zip code. The site will give you a list of the credit unions closest to you. Many have open membership.
3. Use the sharing economy - give to those in need and ask for what you need.
4. Share - create freeware, free art, or donate time to help clean up your community, volunteer.
5. Don't buy mass produced stuff unless you really need it.
6. If you buy meat or eggs, look for the
"certified humane" label. This little tag will help you distinguish the good guys from the bad guys in agriculture.
Nellie's Nest eggs are certified humane and available in many supermarkets. Certified Humane means the animals are given enough space to engage in natural behaviors, access to the outdoors, they are a fed a nutritious diet and not pumped full of hormones and antibiotics). Nellie's Nest uses plastic from recycled soda bottles to make the egg containers.
If you can't find certified humane products at the supermarket or grocery store, write a letter to the supermarket manager to start carrying them. Many of them are interested in what you think. Put the letter in an envelope marked supermarket manager and give it to the cashier. They will probably get it. I use email and I often get enthusiastic emails from the marketing department - you just have to look up the store email to do this.
7. When you get tired of clothes, give them to friends or donate them to shelters. If you haven't worn it in a year, (and it's in good condition) give it away. Share. It's contagious.
8. Write letters often to your
Congressional representatives AND your
state representatives. Let them know you care. Donate a small sum to those that do work you like. (The banks can't be the only ones that lobby).
9. Cultivate empathy. Try to imagine yourself living the life of another person. Try journaling that way. Read books about the lives of people very different from yourself.
10. Pray about it. Never underestimate the power of opening your heart to God and pouring out your concerns. Pray about your nation.
Hope this helps in some small way. Please feel free to share your own ideas in the comments. It could lead to a new post!
