Progressive cool

[DainBramaged]

Protest GE paying virtually zero taxes

But shop at Wal-mart for cool deals


Wring their hands over the disappearing manufacturing base in America

But buy imported foreign vehicles because they are cooler than American cars


Angst over the poor being allowed to buy soda with their food stamps

But buy Apple products produced under sweat-shop conditions because they are oh so cool


Complain that union workers get paid way too much for doing nothing

But Donate to 'Progressive candidates' owned by the corporations because it's cool



Progressive cool, bought and paid for by the marketing geniuses at Copromerica.

[FSogol]

1. Bloviate anonymously on the internet, but...what's the next part?

:shrug: Sure, it would be great to buy only American Cars, but honestly do they have that great of a track record? Also, aren't many "American cars built in Mexico and Canada while many foreign cars are manufactured here? And while it may be cool to bash Walmart, many struggle and have to shop there. Very easy to speak in sound bites and bash anonymously.

Edited to add: Plus, our corporate candidates are better than their corporate candidates.

[DainBramaged]

2. Excuses, found in copious quantities by bloviating sympathizers

[FSogol]

3. Yeah, good luck voting for candidates without any corporate ties. n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

7. As an actual Union Member for decades- which I don't think you

are- I have to say that the fucking least 'cool' thing in the world you are attempting to smirk at is shopping at Walmart. Your claim that 'progressives' love to shop there is belied by the political opposition met by Walmart in the more progressive areas of the nation. Inglewood CA refused them, as have other places. All progressive places.
I've spoken to you before, you co-opt Union issues while not being in one and while promoting the theft of Union made goods which you feel 'should be free' on the internet. I take great issue with those who pick the health insurance out of the pockets of my Union brothers and sisters when they pretend to 'support Unions' because it sounds cool, while they also support ripping off Union members because that sounds cool.
And again, what Union made you socks, your shirt, your pants? Do you hire Union craftsmen for your household needs? Or do you 'shop for price' on repairs How about your diet? What conditions exist on the farms and ranches that feed you each day? I'm sure you have a list ready, with the benefits and wages of the Union Farm Workers you support, right? If not, why not?
To me, your posts tend to sound not like Union supporting messages, but put downs of those who can not afford to buy new cars or buy high ticket items without price and personal satisfaction entering the equation. 'If you can not drop 30k on a product you really don't like, you are not supporting Unions but I can scrimp and save on every purchase, down to my scab shoes and still demand that the less affluent should not scrimp, should not save when making the second largest purchase most of us make in a lifetime.'
Now, run off and launder your non union wardrobe, the stench of hypocrisy is gassing us all out.

[DainBramaged]

9. UAW since 1984, so much for your spew

Go pontificate to someone who gives a shit. If you ever took the fucking time to read my journal r dip into the labor forum, you wouldn't be here spitting bullshit.


And I have people here to back me up.


So much for your attack.

[Bluenorthwest]

11. Oh, people to back you up! Threats are so chaming.

Your OP is an aggressive attack on progressives, and that means an attack on my Union.
You know you do not buy all Union. Yet you claim that others must. Again and again. I note you did not answer about the sources of your own clothing, food, services. Evaded, because it would not look cool to admit the facts. The facts are we all do as much as we can. I'm sure you do to. But the fact is also that I am not going to meet your standards, and you are not going to meet mine. What I don't like is the Broad Brush Bullshit of attaching bad motives to progressive voters. Most Union people are Progressive voters. Thus they do not go out of their way to snarl at and slander progressives.
Show me those Union labels on your clothing. We all know some will be there, some will not. But not all of us will smugly write that your Scab Wardrobe is purchased because you 'think it is cool', no it is most likely purchased because you, like others how have to buy off the rack, have precious few Union choices in the proper price range. Your pants are non Union, not because that is what you want, not because you think that is 'cool' but because you really have no other option. Same with the food. And for many, it is the same with cars. Not all of us can go buy a new car of any kind, man. Just like you have to make choices on other products and you know that you do not go without until you can buy Union. We both have computers. We both buy nonunion. Of course, my computer, like my car is old and was not purchased new.
So is that not the fact, that the Non Union purchases you make are made out of a lack of choice and budget? Should the exact same be allowed others, or just yourself? It is possible to have all of one's clothing made to order. Most of us don't, because of the expense. This is the same reason many buy used cars, the expense. But of course, your expenses are one thing, and 'progressives' making the same choice are being selfish, short sighted and trying to be 'cool'.
I just think the rules for me are the rules for thee, and vice versa. If you do not buy all Union due to cost constraints and lack of choice in the market place, allow the same grace to others.
And I myself do not snark at those who have to go to Walmart, because I assume most people would rather have a nicer experience, but they probably can not afford to shop where I shop. If I bought a new car to prove some point, I might be at Walmart myself, looking to save my way to paying off the auto. Can not get blood from a stone, we do not have money for a Volt, at 30K+. Sorry about that. But do you buy only Union made everything? Unless you do, you have no standing to lecture others. All you can really do is join in on trying, like we all do, to support American Union workers.

[DainBramaged]

12. Two words, and they aren't Merry Christmas

Like I said, I've been here 10 years. My Pro-union stance is on record, and I have people here that will back me up on that, so much for your baby attempt to deflect.

I've written DOZENS of times about buying Union made products, provided links.....................fuck it.


Know what I don't have to defend myself to you


Have a nice life.


Brave people behind a computer monitor. Want me to get a web cam to show you the labels in my underware?

[Bluenorthwest]

18. I may have confused you with another poster, if so, sorry

I support Unions, my own included. I support progressive policies. Not all that interested in tirades against progressives. Also not fond of broad brush characterizations. Without Progressives, what you call 'food stamps' would not exist at all. I have read some on DU whine about how that money might be spent, and those whiners might claim to be progressives,but I myself do not lend them that title by announcement, but by policy they support. A person whining about soda purchased with a food benefit will not be called a progressive by me, not even satirically. Sorry about that. I call them meddling moderates or simply Republicans.

[Romulox]

13. LOLOL. *Somebody* drives a Toyota! SOLIDARITY (otherwise!)!!!1!!~!!!!!

:hi:

[DainBramaged]

17. REALLY? Really........

I guess the words pot meet kettle apply here.........

For his record, been driving Chevy's ALL OF MY LIFE except for a Pontiac GTO and a Ford somewhere back when. And my current Chevy was made in Ohio, MADE, not assembled from Foreign parts, MADE.


So much for holier than his thou.....

[Romulox]

20. Um, dude? I was talking about the other fellow...the person I replied to...

:hi:

[DainBramaged]

23. I know it wasn't meant for you, you own a Toyota?

:rofl: :fistbump:

[Romulox]

24. Sorry, confused. No Toyota in titled in MY name!

:hi:

[Bluenorthwest]

26. The last car I chose was totaled in the accident that ended my

career for many years. I drive the car I was given to drive all those years ago, still. And if you read my posts, I did not claim to buy only Union, like most people, I lack the budget to do so, and the marketplace offers very few choices, so even when money is less of an object, it can be very difficult to even find Union products to buy. We all know this. That is why I personally do not presume to judge others for that which they might have no power to change. Why I do not make up wee frames to hang around people not for who they are, but for products they use or for their lack of access to the right grocery stores. For not having that which I have. For having the best they can manage. I don't see that as progressive or even as very smart.

[indurancevile]

27. the union member defending thde biggest anti-union company on the planet. that's funny.

[Erose999]

6. Indeed, I try to avoid Wal-Mart as much as possible but sometimes when you have a big list of

disparate items its go to Wally World or make 10 trips going around town to get the stuff. And I often carpool with my roommates to do shopping to conserve resources and Wal-Mart is one of the few places in the area where I can get everything at one stop.

I hate myself for doing it though. I really wish their competitors kept better hours. K-mart here closes at 9 and Target closes at 9 or 10 and is across town. Sometimes we don't get around to shopping until 10 or 11pm.

[DainBramaged]

21. Been to WalMart ONCE since 2003 I think, and that was to buy a gift card

for a friend in Florida whose home was destroyed by a hurricane and the ONLY store open was a WalMart.


If I need to make 10 trips all over to get what I need, I don't need it.

[LWolf]

4. Ouch.

That hurts because it's too true. :(


Edited to add: I don't regret my Japanese vehicle; it was at least partially built in the U.S., which is as much as you can say for most American Auto Corporation produced vehicles these days.

If I ever have the opportunity to buy another, which is questionable for the foreseeable future, where the vehicle in question is manufactured, and whether union labor is used, will certainly be a big part of the choice. So will reliability, fuel economy, and the ability to do hundreds of thousands of miles without breaking down or needing more than minimal maintenance, which is where my current vehicle shines.

I hope U.S. auto makers have caught up by then; if I were shopping today, the car I'd want isn't even available in the U.S., let alone made here.

I CAN say that I don't shop at WalMart and try to find U.S. made clothing and products whenever possible.

[OhioChick]

5. It does have a sting to it n/t

[Romulox]

14. So you don't support Labor Unions. That's OK, but the long talk doesn't change much.

"If I ever have the opportunity to buy another, which is questionable for the foreseeable future, where the vehicle in question is manufactured, and whether union labor is used, will certainly be a big part of the choice."

That's fine. That's "free market" capitalism. But what you MUST understand is that exact same calculation will also be applied to your worth, and the worth of whatever you do. You too, will be judged by the "bottom line" under the very system you advocate.

[LWolf]

15. Bullshit.

Don't try to pin your definitions on me.

[Romulox]

22. LOL. Right. The time to support workers will come when it's YOUR livelihood on the line!

We will all get together and say "Wait a minute! LWolf can't make her Honda payment! This whole "free trade/mercenary capitalism thing has gone TOO FAR, now that LWolf is affected!"

Er, right? :rofl:

[LWolf]

25. er, WRONG. My livelihood has been on the line for decades,

asshole. I'll wager I've walked more picket lines than you.

I've also, since you think you want to fight over cars, owned more American made cars than not.

'65 Ford truck I learned to drive a manual transmission.
'70 Chevy truck...I loved that truck.
Two fucking Ford Pintos, which is why I really appreciate my current vehicle.
Two '69 Cougars; loved them even though they overheated, the front end wouldn't stay together, and the windows couldn't stay on track.
a '90 Dodge Shadow
a '94 Chevy Truck

Yep. All 3 big US auto makers. I was even married to a UAW worker for 11 years.

Your put down efforts are impotent. If you really want to engage me in a discussion of American-made autos, you're going to have to bring something better to the table.

Start with how much of the manufacturing done by the big 3 happens outside of the US.

[Romulox]

29. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. That's only fair.

Get out there and COMPETE! :hi:

"Your put down efforts are impotent."

It's not a put down. It's cause and effect.

[LWolf]

35. Err...

cause and effect? The effect of mentioning my Toyota is for you to go on the attack without context.

Okay.

[Romulox]

36. Um, no. If you support cheap labor/outsourcing/"free trade", where is there room

for you to complain about your own economic insecurity?

Or, even more to the point: if you buy into the logic of "free trade", that same logic will inevitably be applied to YOU and YOUR worth. Why do you think it could possibly be any other way? :silly:

PS: I'll HAPPILY cross any picket line that you've parked that Toyota in front of. "Solidarity!" my eye! :hi:

[LWolf]

37. I'll remember that

when you are bloviating about supporting cheap labor.

You like fighting with workers better than supporting them. :eyes:

[Romulox]

38. The one-way support is OVER. You support "free trade" for me, I support the same for YOU.

:hi:

[LWolf]

39. For you? Are you a UAW member?

Shall we talk about how GM has treated UAW members? Or about what they've outsourced to non UAW members?

Catch-22. When you support out-sourcers, you are supporting "free trade." Where are you going to get a car made by a non- "free trader?"

[DevonRex]

8. KnR. We are part of the problem. Tho most of us here don't do Walmart.

Still we all go for the lowest prices don't we? We have to support American auto companies and local mom and pop stores to get ourselves out of this mess.

[MineralMan]

10. Copromerica?

Copro- copro- before a vowel, copr-
combining form
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) indicating dung or obscenity coprology


You might want to add an "r" before the "p" and an "o" after the "p." Otherwise your neologism doesn't really make any sense, politically.

[pintobean]

19. You could be a lot cooler

by doing that kind of shit in a PM. It has nothing to do with his point.

[OhioChick]

28. Poor taste....

This "may" help.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=293187

Enjoy your day. :)

[hifiguy]

16. That is gonna leave a mark.

:thumbsup: DB! Too true.

[ZombieHorde]

30. People shop at Wal-Mart generally because they have very little money.

Many of the people who shop at Wal-Mart because they would have to skip meals and basic supplies if they shopped at DainBramaged approved stores.

You're just telling extremely poor people they have it too good.

[DainBramaged]

31. I grossed $17,000 last year after health insurance and Union dues and I didn't shop at WalMart

There goes that argument ZH....

[Skidmore]

32. So you are a saint, I guess.

[ZombieHorde]

33. My wife and I live on student loans, and we have kids.

Making such a small amount of money stretch is extremely difficult.

[Modern_Matthew]

42. I shop AND work there (DISCOUNT CARD). When is my crucifixion? nt

[Donnachaidh]

34. "But buy Apple products produced under sweat-shop conditions because they are oh so cool"

AMEN.

I'd go further and call those gadget makers slave owners. What's the markup from 22 bucks cost, and a sales price of $400? And then factor in the 35 cents an hour the Chinese get for putting these high tech toys together?

Yeah -- Apple is *progressive*..... :puke:

[LanternWaste]

40. I'm the first to admit it's often quite a bit easier...

I'm the first to admit it's often quite a bit easier to dismiss and denigrate the actions of other people without the time-consuming drudgery of context-- actually learning and then understanding those very actions.

A One-Size-Fits-All, presumptive and absolute ethical standard is not only easier for our own souls to digest, it allows a much greater ease of feeling better about, and holding ourselves above those who may not hold the same sentiments we do.

Hence, we minimize their points of view, mock their opinions and, through the myopic presumptions of our own standards and biases, scorn the existence of additional postulates and perspectives as mere burlesque; and although it accomplishes nothing, and though it persuades no one, we'll righteously rationalize that we ourselves have The Absolute Answer at the expense of so many other genuine possibilities.

But I guess we forget that we become buffoons in our righteous and justified attempts to become more-cynical-than-thou; and ultimately, we simply convince others that are mere cartoon character-- a community of Daffy Ducks, forever declaiming the world around us, our nonsensical harangues assailing the better angels of our character. Accomplishing nothing other than advertising our churlish and vulgar predispositions.

:shrug:

[Modern_Matthew]

41. Nothing wrong with buying the cheapest deal you can find. Don't guilt people. nt