Should we non-Americans boycott the U.S.?

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I don't want my tourist dollars to support the US economy at the moment. I'll spend them elsewhere for the next four years.

― angry non-American, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 12:49 (twenty years ago)

OK. Thanks for stopping by. See ya in four years.

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 12:51 (twenty years ago)

With the current exchange rate we can't afford to. Must border!

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:21 (twenty years ago)

SHOP!

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:21 (twenty years ago)

i'm pretty sure i'm supporting the US economy just by sitting here typing and breathing right now so no great shakes

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:27 (twenty years ago)

How's that?

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:37 (twenty years ago)

I'm an American who wants to boycott the U.S. right now. Do you know anyone in Amsterdam or Utrecht who wants to swap living quarters with us here?

― Maria D. (Maria D.), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:47 (twenty years ago)

I don't think it'll hurt the people you want it to hurt, but it's hard to blame you.

― Hurting (Hurting), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:48 (twenty years ago)

i actually have a friend from utrecht who will be visiting california for two months this winter!

― amateur!!st, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:48 (twenty years ago)

If we're going to boycott the USA then we should switch off our Microsoft/Apple-powered computers NOW!

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:49 (twenty years ago)

We're not boycotting India, Carlin.

― Huk-L, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:50 (twenty years ago)

Well you ought to, Oak.

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:54 (twenty years ago)

I don't want to do it in a puritanical masochistic way. Obviously, it's impossible to avoid all American goods even if you wanted to, which I don't. But I don't particularly want to go on holiday and spend my hard-earned money there until that smug, hypocritical fuck leaves office.

― angry non-american, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 14:59 (twenty years ago)

But I think that actually works against your aims, as it seems that it was quite often the most economically depressed who were voting for Bush, in spite of themselves.

― Huk-L, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 15:01 (twenty years ago)

If the "economically depressed" persist with voting on the basis of whatever Rush Lindbaugh or Bill O'Reilly tells them rather than their own first-hand experience, they'll deserve no sympathy. Which is exactly what they'll get.

― Marcello Carlin, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 15:04 (twenty years ago)

But if they start working again, they might not be so afraid of homosexuals anymore.

― Huk-L, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 15:07 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, well... they'll also get a rabidly capitalist, agressively warlike theocracy, which is exactly what they want.

― Kenan (kenan), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 15:07 (twenty years ago)

So, um, who are the Democrats' constituents then?

― Huk-L, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 15:09 (twenty years ago)

(no, really)

― Huk-L, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 15:09 (twenty years ago)

They are the majorities who consistently prefer Democratic policies to Republican ones in polls, Huk-El. So shove it. And that goes for the anonymous question-asker, too. You think slowing down the US economy, were you capable of such a thing, would hurt Bush in the slightest? What about the 48% of us who voted against him? Bad luck for us, I guess!

And Marcello, it's big of you to blame poor and uneducated people for this result. Really. What vision.

― You've Got to Pick Up Every Stitch (tracerhand), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 15:19 (twenty years ago)

I didn't mean it as a slam, Tracer. I meant, if the Republicans are claiming to be the party of the rich and of the poor, and what's in between has been steadily disappearing for the last 20 years, where do the Dems go?

― Huk-L, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 15:27 (twenty years ago)

Next time I'm thinking about helping someone who has hit hard times, I'm going to tell them to call George Bush for help. Maybe that will get out the vote next time!

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 16:07 (twenty years ago)

I'm going to boycott the US FROM WITHIN! From now on I will be importing/making my own energy/consumer goods/food/etc.

― adam... (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 16:08 (twenty years ago)

San Francisco
Updated: 2:16 a.m. ET
Kerry
222,013 83% 100% of precincts reporting
Bush
(Incumbent)
41,157 16%
Cobb
1,311 1%
Badnarik
1,059 0%
Peltier
863 0%
Peroutka
297 0%

Don't boycott California, please.

― Michael White (Hereward), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 16:10 (twenty years ago)

I got your message...yesterday! What play did you see?

― adam... (nordicskilla), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 16:11 (twenty years ago)

And Marcello, it's big of you to blame poor and uneducated people for this result. Really. What vision.

As a Scot I grew up among poor, uneducated voters. I can't see many of them being taken in by Bush for 5 seconds. Being poor and uneducated doesn't necessarily equate to stupidity, or prevent a shrewd awareness of where one's own self-interest lies.

I think you need a better explanation than that.

― frankiemachine, Wednesday, 3 November 2004 17:36 (twenty years ago)

If we're going to boycott the USA then we should switch off our Microsoft/Apple-powered computers NOW!

No problem; I'll just use Linux

― caitlin (caitlin), Wednesday, 3 November 2004 23:46 (twenty years ago)

Michael White OTM

The places most tourists are likely to visit, California and New York, voted firmly for Kerry. So when you go, stay at independent hotels, eat at non-chain restaurants, and buy goods from small retailers. That way you're contributing to the local economy.

Or better yet, do some research about the political leanings of big companies. Some large companies give tons of money to the Democrats, others give to the Republicans. Make your consumer choices accordingly.

Or you would you rather just be self-righteous?

― supercub, Thursday, 4 November 2004 00:35 (twenty years ago)

What about the 48% of us who voted against him?

49%!

― Allyzay Science Explosion (allyzay), Thursday, 4 November 2004 00:38 (twenty years ago)

Haha asking ILE posters if they'd rather be self-righteous is about as fruitful (and insane) as asking water if it's wet!

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 4 November 2004 00:43 (twenty years ago)

adam, sorry, didn't see your post. I went to see The Real Thing by Stoppard. Well acted but very dated.

xpost

― Michael White (Hereward), Thursday, 4 November 2004 00:44 (twenty years ago)

"Haha asking ILE posters if they'd rather be self-righteous is about as fruitful (and insane) as asking water if it's wet!"

It was for rhetorical affect. Allow my post was pretty self-righteous in its own right.

― supercub, Thursday, 4 November 2004 01:28 (twenty years ago)

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