Money: it's a hit

“Don't want no cash
Don't need no money
Ain't got no stash
This note's for you.

Ain't singin' for Pepsi
Ain't singin' for Coke
I don't sing for nobody
Makes me look like a joke
This note's for you.

Ain't singin' for Miller
Don't sing for Bud
I won't sing for politicians
Ain't singin' for Spuds
This note's for you.

Don't need no cash
Don't want no money
Ain't got no stash
This note's for you.

I've got the real thing
I got the real thing, baby
I got the real thing
Yeah, alright.”

This Note’s For You—Neil Young

My wife and I enjoy watching documentaries and we feel that we are relatively informed. We watched two this holiday season. One was an anti-Wal-Mart film and the other was on Corporations.

I have a thought, and believe me I am not trying to be liberal or conservative. I say here and now, if you do not like a company or corporation, simply do not give them business.

You have power—you have a voice. You also have cash that everyone wants a shot at owning.

My wife and I eat out—much too much to be honest. Normally we eat at food chains. Occasionally we will dine in local restaurants. When we do so, we feel as we are helping the “little guy,” and we all cheer for the little guy.

We have a SUPER Wal-Mart in town, and to be honest, I do not shop there much at all. It is crowded, the service has declined a bit, and I really only buy one item there, namely: eye medicine that I use every month and save $7.00 each month by purchasing there. At a cost of about $100.00 per year, it adds up.

I buy my cats’ food at a local business that charges about $2.00 more per bag—again to help the little guy.

I purchase all of my CD’s from a local record shop to help the little guy.

I buy my beer from local liquor shops and not large chains to help the little guy.

I buy my comics from a local comic shop to help the little guy.

I support local construction companies and I support local lawn care folks.

I grow tired of utility companies, McDonald’s food, cable companies, the phone company, Big oil companies (as I buy cheaper gas) and mall shops.

And to be honest—I do not care if anyone supports the utilities, gets fat on the greasy and cruddy McDonald’s food, watches football on cable, chats with the operators at Verizon, buys Shell Oil products, and wanders aimlessly at the mall.

Free enterprise is just that; free enterprise. If people have a disdain for the corporations, the solution is simple—do not go to their places of business. I may pay more for cat food, CD’s and beer; but that is my choice and if it helps my neighbors and the community as a whole—then I will gladly do it.

The last time I went past Wal-Mart, and I must be honest, there was no shortage of customers. Not everyone agrees with me, unless a great deal of people has the same eye affliction as I have.

Watching these documentaries appeals to the rebel in me. It makes me feel that the little guy can stand up and make a change. I believe everyone can make a difference in their own little world—and being a naiveté about it is a welcomed compliment.

I hope everyone does what they wish to do in the world, because eventually one must answer to the reflection in his/her mirror. And eventually, one has to give in to the corporation. As an example, if I go to a pro football game, many dollars of corporate sponsorship money is supplied by whatever brand of popcorn, hotdogs, soda, and beer go into the construction of the stadium. The consumer has no choice but to cave in to it—or else go without the hotdog and beer.

So I would suggest that one does not spout some rhetoric about defying corporations and big business without using some common sense. Rather than damn the corporations by raising a middle finger and lying about never caving in to them—I suggest one should fight the small battles at home, stand up for the little guy, and support the local community.