by ericl on March 17, 2009
What exactly is justice? I recently heard a message that told me it would be easier to know what it is not to get a better idea of what it is. Injustice is when people with power take away from those with less power. Do you get a good idea of what justice can be? Do you notice a lot of injustice going on in recent news and events?
Where is our bailout money going?
Injustice
It’s disappointing to say, but as of recent, I do find a lot of injustice going around which makes me realize that we really need more justice in this country. What am I talking about? Well, let’s take a look.
Global Corporations vs. The Small Business
You’ve got AIG with their $165 million dollar bonuses with taxpayer bailout money. How do they justify that? And there are small businesses that get less and less credit available for them to operate on a daily basis. Who’s there to bailout them? Just because they were too big to fail AIG got bailout money and now are paying bonuses. Let’s try thinking about the 20 million+ small businesses that are getting really hurt by lower sales (caused by Wall Street irresponsibility) and having less credit to operate. I think small business as a whole are too big to fail. I’m glad that the Obama Administration is working to increase SBA loans/guarantee availability to small businesses. But how easy will it be to apply and get the funds? I’m sure they can’t just get it wired from the Fed as AIG does.
Teachers vs. Lawyers
I have close friends who know of teachers being laid off in California at this very moment. My heart goes out to those people. But it makes me mad to also know that there are lawyers who work for mortagae companies that got bonuses because of bailout money. Where is the justice in that?
People with Power, Speak Out
I think it is important for people to be more aware of our government’s actions. They are playing a lot of polictical games but we, the people, have the power to make decisions today to help those in need of tomorrow. I just can’t stand being ignorant to how large corporations and corrupt officials have abused the system and hurt the people that don’t have the power to help themselves. We need to speak out, be active in our communities, and send a message that we demand regulations and laws that enforce better social responsbility. If anything, with our taxes paying for bailouts, we need to write to our senators and representatives and let them know that company’s like AIG need to come out of this bailout with more responsible actions and decisions, not paying $165 million of bonuses to employees that mismanaged the company.
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by ericl on December 31, 2008
I have many noble thoughts to save the world. But how many of them have I actually done? Turning off the lights when I leave the room or wanting to go out to a disaster area and volunteer? Well, no matter what I have wanted or thought of doing, I think I can (and you can too) make a difference when shopping and save the world at the same time.
Vote with your dollar(s).
Give Back
In my last article on shopping I talked about making money while you shop. It’s now time to give back and talk about making our spending dollars worth a vote to save the world.
Social Spending
I drive around the city in my Prius (proud owner!) and I notice schools are active, hospitals are busy and police cars patrolling. So I walk into a local store and notice a sign that says “support your local community – 10% of the proceeds donated to the local high school band”. And I think to myself “What a great idea. I get to spend money here to get something I need and help out the local high school.” Then a couple of days ago my fiance emails me a “Do good while you shop” article link from luckmag.com where I can buy a handful of products that supports the Big Brother and Mentor programs in the USA. It makes me happy to know that some of the money I spend goes to support good causes.
Responsible Spending
It would be a tiresome task for me to constantly hunt down socially responsible companies to buy from. But I do read the news and one thing the news is good for is telling me bad news. Bad news for companies that do bad of course. Such as info I find on walmarwatch.com which helps me find out the kind of harm Wal*Mart may be doing. As I hear about these companies using sweat shop labor or buying from sources that oppress their workers, I vote against these companies by not buying from them.
Environmental Saving
Too busy to be an activist and just not aware enough of the news sometimes lead me to just focus on the product at hand. When I look at my shampoo bottle I look to see if it was made of recycled material. Or better yet, I look to see if I can use the bottle to be refilled. I even look at the packaging like Starbucks Cups. Even when I dine out and I ordered a drink I try not to order an extra glass of water (I try to share it with my fiance). Because I’ve read on a place card in a restaurant before that said it takes 7 glasses of water to wash 1 glass. Wow! I notice many times where guests would just be served an extra glass of water when it never even gets touched after the meal. What a waste.
So I try to do my part and use my shopping dollars as an active vote. And just like the recent campaign on “Get the Vote Out”, every vote (or $Dollars spent) counts! You make your choice and the businesses will listen and follow.
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