TPMDC
Tea Partiers Plan Boycott Of Companies Sympathetic To 'Socialist Agenda'
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Last week, we told you about the tea party movement's next national target -- American businesses believed to be supporting the "socialist agenda" of Democratic politicians. On Jan. 20, the tea partiers plan to boycott these corporations during their "National Day of Strike."
The plan is controversial among some conservatives, who worry the tea partiers might alienate their natural allies. However, the strike's organizer, Allen Hardage, told TPMDC that these critics are missing the central point of the plan.
"Here we are exposing the agenda of some of the most widely known companies in America and letting the consumer decide," he said. "If a corporation decides to jump into politics to the tune of millions of dollars, then they need to expect that they will alienate some of their customers."
Hardage wouldn't get into specifics about which companies the national strike will target, or exactly how the strike will work. But he suggested the protest will be large, and it will be nationwide.
"Tea party groups around the country will work together to direct massive attention to the businesses, in a legal manner, that are the largest supporters of the most liberal members of Congress as well as those that support extreme liberal media outlets that have gone after the citizens represented in the movement," he said. "We will not be releasing the target companies list until [Jan. 20]."
The idea for the strike first came up during a Tea Party conference call, Hardage said. Tea party organizers were "frustrated that, despite a huge turn out over the last year, Congress is ignoring them, and most of the main stream media is biased in their mocking and marginalizing them," Hardage said.
"The question is that if the elected officials ignore you what do you do to exercise your right to self governance?" he said. "So we decided to hold a National Day of Strike where we go after the large donors of the people pushing this radical agenda."
Hardage said that the tea partiers aren't telling businesses what to do -- which has been a criticism of the strike from some anti-regulation conservatives -- but simply giving consumers information about the companies they choose to give their money to.
"We are not forcing anyone to do or not do anything," he said. "The average consumer or investor is most of the time completely unaware that they may be inadvertently supporting the government takeover of health care or cap and trade or bank bailouts."
"If a company throws money into a candidate or elected official's campaign," he said, Jan. 20 "will let them know not only who those companies are, but also who they can patronize that shares their beliefs."
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Steaming Pile
January 4, 2010 11:11 AM
My question is, where is this list? Is Wal-Mart on it? General Motors? Monsanto? News Corporation? Where are the socialist capitalists? I would love to see such a freak of nature.
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CityGuy
January 4, 2010 11:34 AM in reply to Steaming Pile
And remember they're National Socialist capitalists. Because Hitler was a left-leaning liberal! Rush told me so.
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JEP07
January 4, 2010 4:37 PM in reply to CityGuy
WE organize a boycott of Monsanto, while THEY organize a boycott of Ben and Jerry's?
Could the irony be any heavier.
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Scooterlib
January 4, 2010 11:13 AM
I'm going to be watching this "National Day of Strike" very closely. Then, if I'm not already, I will make it a point to support any company they boycott.
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Number6
January 4, 2010 2:44 PM in reply to Scooterlib
Co-sign! And something tells me, these guys don't exactly have the influence or the buying power to harm any of the big nasty islamosocialist corporations they're targeting. Oh wait...they won't tell us which ones they're targeting! That way, when their "grassroots strike" flops like a wet used tea bag, they can blame the lack of publicity.
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Packerfanchick
January 4, 2010 5:30 PM in reply to Number6
There is an "event" on Facebook that is anti-Tea bag boycott and purposefully you save all your shopping or business with these companies for that day to totally negate any effects (if there really would be any) these companies would face to show whose the bigger group.
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toxophilite
January 4, 2010 11:31 AM
Wouldn't it be interesting to know who is making this list? I'm quite sure it's not going to be Joe the Plumber, nor is it going to be a divine revelation that descends upon the partiers as they turn their faces to the heavens. I know! a prophet, a modern day political profit*!
*like the one that collected 2/3 of the partiers' cash these last several months
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mcc
January 4, 2010 4:00 PM in reply to toxophilite
If I had to make a guess? It'll be the competitors of whoever incidentally happens to be sponsoring Mr. Hardage's American Patriot Network and/or the companies in which Mr. Hardage owns stock :P
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Zero Hero
January 4, 2010 11:38 AM
"frustrated that, despite a huge turn out over the last year, Congress is ignoring them, and most of the main stream media is biased in their mocking and marginalizing them," Hardage said.
The bias of MSM is completely overshadowed by the bias of Fox News. We are making fun of you because you are misinformed loons. That's all.
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mans_best_friend
January 4, 2010 11:47 AM
Knowing how effective these boycotts are, I'm sure this has those pinko businesses quaking in their boots.
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Icon
January 4, 2010 11:51 AM
"most of the main stream media is biased in their mocking and marginalizing them"
Because they're idiots who are protesting for the sake of protesting.
There's no coherent message, no particular policies they consistently or even frequently oppose, just the vague specter of encroaching "socialism".
If you're really angry but can't even articulate to anyone what exactly it is you're angry about, do you expect anyone to be sympathetic to you?
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roxsteady
January 4, 2010 12:13 PM in reply to Icon
Spot on Icon! These idiots are still pissed because they got their asses kicked in the 2008 elections...again! What I find most offensive about these people is that they seem to think that this President doesn't have the right to govern because they didn't vote for him. WELL, 69 MILLION OF US VOTED FOR HIM! We crushed these idiots and they think these stupid protests are going to change anything? They said it themselves, Congress is ignoring them and so are the rest of us. The tea party crap has gotten old very quickly. I hope the media continues to ignore these idiots. If you want to affect real change just get the majority of Americans to vote for your party you morons!
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Jackster
January 4, 2010 12:09 PM
OOOhh, THAT'S gonna HURT!
A one half of one percent drop in business?
What will their response be when they see it had no effect?
Certainly not like the sponsors leaving Beck.
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Number6
January 4, 2010 5:28 PM in reply to Jackster
Dunno...if these guys quit buying Old Milwaukee™ or bulgy plastic pickup truck fenders, it could cause ruin!
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Chris
January 4, 2010 12:11 PM
Thanks to the Bush administration there are fewer companies left for the patriotic nut slappers to protest.
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LeaningLeft
January 4, 2010 12:17 PM
I think they're on to something. I've been screaming about the mistreatment of unicorns for a while now, and no one in the MSM or federal government is taking me seriously. It's time I boycott the companies who support those who mistreat unicorns. Who's with me?
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Stroszek
January 4, 2010 12:21 PM
Protesting the choices of a free enterprise? That's kinda socialist.
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pagliacci
January 4, 2010 12:35 PM
One might posit that a "National Day of Strike" is itself a Socialist construction. A collective group of individuals and activist "cells" protesting the decisions of Big Business? Send in the Pinkertons!
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Peter Principle
January 4, 2010 12:56 PM in reply to pagliacci
One might posit that a "National Day of Strike" is itself a Socialist construction.
Sounds more like domestic terrorism to me. Which is why I'm sure the Secret Service and the DHS will get right on it -- just like they did with the environmental and anti-WTO activists during the Bush years.
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Redshift
January 4, 2010 12:57 PM in reply to pagliacci
One might posit that a "National Day of Strike" is itself a Socialist construction.
It might be, if these idiots weren't as confused about the difference between a strike and a boycott as they are about every other issue.
Actually, I'd be interested to know if they are actually dumb enough not to understand that a strike involves refusing to work, not refusing to buy, or if they thought about calling for an actual strike, decided it was too socialist, and changed it to a boycott without changing the name.
It's a tough call which would be more stupid...
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gparks
January 5, 2010 12:49 AM in reply to Redshift
Hey ... THEY named THEMSELVES ... tea baggers! Enough said! lol!
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An Outhouse
January 4, 2010 3:43 PM in reply to pagliacci
It would be awesome if they planned their strike on May 1.
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Packerfanchick
January 4, 2010 5:35 PM in reply to An Outhouse
The real problem is that they don't even know what Socialism is.
Or should I say the Socialist, Fascist, Communist Liberals they always refer to....
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bill
January 4, 2010 1:08 PM
So, if a business gets subsidies from tax payers, then it's on the pooh list ?
What about ADM? Walmart? Exxon/Mobile? All health insurers? Pharmacy companies? Investment houses? Virtually the entire financial industry? Chevrolet, Chrysler?
How about businesses that live off government contracts? Like Blackwater (or its sneak name)? Accounting companies. Consulting companies. The largest brace of military contractors in the world?
If we're going to be limited to businesses that dont get subsidies from the tax payers, we'll starve to death, stay home and die.
If the Tea Party-ers can stop the corporate subsidies, they can get a two-fer: balance the federal budget and save taxpayers money.
These people arent serious, are they?
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gparks
January 5, 2010 12:52 AM in reply to bill
Hey you forgot JET, Ebony and O!
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bill
January 4, 2010 1:16 PM
I can only hope one of the Democratic pit bulls prepares to high-light the hypocricy of this monumentally stupid , but potentially illuminating circus.
What major US corporations do not live off either government subsidies or government contacts?
What a wonderful opportunity to expose them all and all the devious means of obtaining tax payers money !
James Carville seems like the perfect pit bull for such a job. Lord ! How he is missed.
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Number6
January 4, 2010 1:52 PM
Are you tired of ideas invading your fantasy world? Too many facts getting in the way? Zombie Billy Mays here for the miracle brainwashing breakthrough, FOX-I-CLEAN! It's literally a miracle! FOX-I-CLEAN was given to us directly from Baby Jeebus. Just apply FOX-I-CLEAN to your remaining brain cell and add cheap beer. It won't just brainwash you. FOX-I-CLEAN will scrub your brain cell until it's Right, White and Full of God's Might!
How much would you pay to live in this right wing fantasy? Don't answer yet, because we'll also throw in guns and bibles for your whole family. But wait! There's more! Order now and we'll include an autographed copy of Sarah Palin's blockbuster book and this easy "How To Read" DVD! Just think...purify your thoughts and learn to read at the same time. Maybe you'll even get a promotion to "Security Guard Second Class!"
Don't just wash your brain...FOX-I-CLEAN it to shiny Republican loyalty. To order, dial 1-800-TEA-2012, or go to www.sharp-as-a-sack-of-hammers.com!
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WaitWut?
January 4, 2010 3:11 PM in reply to Number6
HA!! Thanks! Needed some humor today1
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lousgirl84
January 4, 2010 7:27 PM in reply to Number6
KABOOM!!!!
Love that post. A bit of levity much needed.
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RhodesNews
January 7, 2010 6:06 PM in reply to Number6
Thank you Number 6 for your visceral stereotyping, hatemongering and bigotry so typical on Leftist such as yourself. The dittos and cheers you earned from other commentators on this page help to reinforce that your narrow-minded bigotry is not alone amongst your ilk.
I thought you liberals were supposed to be tolerant of diversity.
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Steve LaBonne
January 4, 2010 2:41 PM
Well, corporate fatcats, now that you've joined the loony right's hit list have you STILL not seen the handwriting on the wall? Do you really want to keep supporting the Rethug party the way German conservative industrialists supported he-who-must-not-be-named-on-pain-of-Godwin?
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Number6
January 4, 2010 2:52 PM
Direct from the Freep, here's one list of "liberal socialist" corporations that the right feels to be boycott worthy:
I bet Sun and eBay are peeing themselves at the thought of being boycotted by a bunch of unemployed, beer-bellied high school dropouts.
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gparks
January 5, 2010 12:56 AM in reply to Number6
You forgot the soap manufactures ... aren't these tea baggers representing the "unwashed" masses?
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brooklynpsu
January 4, 2010 3:14 PM
Where are they going to buy their teabags now?
"Charleston Tea Plantation sold tea mail order known as American Classic Tea... American Classic Tea has been the official tea of the White House since 1987.[5] In 2003, Bigelow Tea Company purchased the Charleston Tea Plantation..." (wikipedia.org)
And the Lipton Tea Company is based in the NIH-having, Socialist-loving UK.
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Number6
January 4, 2010 3:31 PM in reply to brooklynpsu
Don't forget, most of the world's tea supply comes from Sri Lanka...a Muslim country. Why, I bet they recite a Sufi chant over every one of them unpatriotic bags!
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Steve LaBonne
January 4, 2010 3:52 PM in reply to Number6
I assume it's just part of your parody of the teabaggers when you claim Sri Lanka is a Muslim country. Just in case it's not, the dominant religions there are Buddhism and Hinduism.
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Number6
January 4, 2010 3:56 PM in reply to Steve LaBonne
Most astute you are, young Padawan! To these idiots, a Muslim population of less than 10% makes a country Muslim. Also, the Muslims of South Asia are not Sufist. A student of mine tried to pass on, IN MY CLASS, the meme that Pres Obama called the US a "Muslim Country." She got a bit upset when I called her on it.
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An Outhouse
January 4, 2010 3:40 PM
I'm surprised they aren't having their National Strike Day on May 1.
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Number6
January 4, 2010 3:57 PM in reply to An Outhouse
Since they're calling us all Marxists, then they'd have to boycott themselves. All that is solid...
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JEP07
January 4, 2010 4:50 PM
How about we all boycott businesses owned by 'baggers?
Don't get me wrong, for the right cause, boycotts are the only instant power the public has over America's miscreant monopolists. If everyone who claims to be progressive "got together" and faithfully agreed to collectively boycott a few major multi-corps, just as an exercise in power, it would scare the crap out of "them."
But where would we find a media willing and able to promote something like that?
Back to the point, anyone want to bet that those monopolists will make the 'bagger's bad list? Can't wait to see the usual suspects, but I wonder what surprises we might have in store.
Maybe the 'baggers will dig out some of the stickiest ticks suckin' off our blue-dogs, just might be interesting to see who the right considers left.
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Cioran Sellars
January 4, 2010 7:21 PM
Shouldn't they just go right to the source and boycott reality...though as noted above perhaps they have already achieved that through toxic doses of Fox, Rush and the like.
And to state the obvious does anyone doubt that if these dopes were around back in the 1770s they'd of thought Thomas Paine a red (or whatever slander they used to discredit those who didn't toe the line) and have sided with Cheney, er I mean the British?
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boycottfaux
January 5, 2010 12:25 PM
Let's hope people who hold up SIGNS this time have learned the definitions of their message, i.e.
fascist
marxist
communist
socialist
I haven't seen one video of a 'protestor' who knew there was a difference between any of the above labels . .
I believe in protests, but at least inform yourself and 'protest with knowledge'
Teabaggers who boast faux is their only source for 'news' appear uninformed and ignorant, i.e. Obama's czars
None of the videos showed a teabagger who knew Reagan appointed the first 'drug czar' - surprise, surprise, surprise!!
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RhodesNews
January 8, 2010 2:55 AM
Such HATE I see on this page! You all pride yourselves on how superior you are to conservatives whom you claim are all racist by definition. Conservative = racist. Right? Of course it's that simple. Hate is hate. And it doesn't matter what color or shade it is in. Want to find a bigot to ridicule? Look no further than your mirror.
People hate what they fear. They fear what they don't understand. Reading this page makes it obvious that you don't know anything about us. And that makes most of you quite ignorant. And ignorance breeds bigotry.
I invite all my friends to read the postings on this site so they can gawk at this wretched display of humanity. Excuse me--INhumanity.
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debmou
January 21, 2010 3:25 AM
Hello to all you "Far-Lefties"! It's kind of nice to know we have attracted enough attention that you found us! I haven't seen this many of you in one place since I was on Media Matters and other such orgs. Feel free to post, and know that we no longer get angry when you call us names. We have learned the "Alinsky Methods" too, and understand it's not personal, just a tactic to get us to back down. We aren't so good at that any more- but try if you must! I think we are up to it- and not so easily worn down now. Guess we're getting a backbone.
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