In recent weeks I continued to give thought to the things that I buy on a weekly basis. I thought more about the implications of my previously stated renouncement of corporations. When I put that post initially I was essentially emptying thoughts from my head and getting them out as quickly as possible and hadn’t gone through to think more about particular things that I would effectively be giving up. So I began making a mental list of specific ways in which corporations are in my life right now, and I wanted to solidify that here. I’m trying to break it down into categories, so here’s what I’ve got…
Groceries/Beer
For the most part I buy my groceries at City Market, and almost everything I typically buy is in bulk. Being that I live in Vermont, I have no excuse (nor a want) to drink beer produced by a corporation like Anheuser-Busch, so that front is completely clear. The biggest thing I can think of as far as food goes is the occasional stop at a gas station to pick up something to drink or munch on. I eat pretty healthy, but I’m certainly guilty of soda and chips once and a while, and unless you’re in a grocery store (and even then, only co-ops usually), it can be tough to find a local brand of soda and chips on the road. Cutting corporation-produced chips and soda out shouldn’t be a big deal, and is probably just a healthier choice to begin with. Another on-the-road situation is stopping at a place like Subway if there are no other options for an actual meal. It doesn’t happen too often, so not too big of a deal.
In the past month I have not purchased any food items directly produced by a corporation.
Electronics/Hardware
After thinking more about this one, I’ve come to the realization that it’s almost impossible. Manufacturers of electronics are almost exclusively corporations: Apple, Microsoft, Asus, Sony, Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, Dell, Motorola, Panasonic… just to name a few. I would love to be able to say that I won’t support any of those companies, but in some cases I won’t have much choice.
Gas
There’s not much to say for this category. Gas companies are corporations. All of them, at least around here. The best I can do is not support (with the exception of buying the actual gas) the convenience stores which always accompany the gas station.
Restaurants
I’d hate to live in a place where this wasn’t easy. Burlington has a lot of great places to eat for when I do feel like going out. The closest I would come to choosing a big business would be Boloco, but they’re certainly not considered a corporation.
Banking
I am happy to say that I recently became a member of Vermont Federal Credit Union! With that, I am now a member of two banks, still having an account in Connecticut, and both are locally owned (community owned in the case of VFCU).
And that’s really it as far as things that affect me on a day-to-day basis. Buying groceries is certainly the biggest way in which I’ve been cutting our corporations, and even there it’s not been too hard. So here’s a big middle finger to big business… I don’t need you.
