Love him or loathe him, there’s no doubt that Michael Moore certainly gets people thinking. After watching Capitalism: A Love Story one lazy Sunday afternoon, I could hardly stop the cogs in my head from rattling. I was particularly disgusted by Wal-Mart’s practise of taking out corporate-owned life insurance policies on its staff, and writing off the premiums as an expense. If the employee dies, Wal-Mart get a hefty chunk of cash; the family receive nothing.

Oh. You didn’t know? Go ahead and Google. I’ll be here when you get back.

It would seem that there’s plenty we don’t know about the friendly retailers we patronise daily. The beaming smile of the employee greeting you at the door belies the complexity and motivation behind the behemoth. Don’t be fooled into thinking a corporation cares about you or your family—this is business, my friend.

Worse still, it’s all your fault. Yes, you. Every time you hand over a dollar to a corporation, you’re voting.  You’re saying, Yes, I completely approve of the way you do business.

Take Starbucks, for example, and their non-compostable cups. That’s why you’re hard-pressed to find a compost bin at your local Starbucks, because there’s precious little that can go in there. True, you can do your part by bringing your own cup, but you’re still voting with your money; you’re approving of a company that uses upwards of 2 billion non-compostable cups per year.

Thing is, it’s way too late—there’s no way we can possibly live our lives without corporations, is there?

Well actually, there is. In fact, after the credits rolled on Mr. Moore’s marvellous movie, I started to wonder if it was possible to live without corporations. I call it “unincorporated.” Ask yourself: why are we so obsessed with 100-mile diets, and yet happily spend dollars that fly away to faceless corporations thousands of miles away?

I find it remarkable that simple local living has become a novelty. After all, didn’t we all start off living simply? What destroyed our local businesses? Whether you’re buying an AC Unit or a loaf of bread, you’re forced into your car and toward a mall or shopping centre—it’s the same amount of effort no matter what the commodity, and it’s obscene.

Thing is, a million people changing their shopping preferences can and does have a direct impact on how companies and corporations run their businesses, especially if you write to them and let them know why you’re taking your business elsewhere. Being pro-active about the planet isn’t about dropping your bottle in the recycle bin—the bare minimum—;  it’s about actually being pro-active.

I haven’t set foot in a Wal-Mart for months, and I can’t even recall the last time I visited a McDonald’s or similar fast-food franchise. I no longer worry about their business practises because I don’t have blood on my hands.

What I do worry about are the billions of other people who do.

Right now, you’re probably wondering if you’re ready to make that change, or indeed, if such change is even possible given today’s hectic pace of life.

For example, where should one buy coffee? Despite being repatriated as a Canadian business, franchises such as Timmy’s are controlled by the Wendy’s corporation; a local, independent coffee shop that supports Fair Trade coffee is a much smarter investment (don’t forget to bring your own cup).

What about gas? Place your dollars in the hands of Irving Oil, one of the few Canadian-owned energy companies that supports the Kyoto Accord aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Mortgages and banking? Trust me, the local Credit Union will welcome you with open arms.

Groceries and produce? Buying from a local supermarket doesn’t necessarily guarantee local produce; most major cities boast regular Farmer’s Markets, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised what you can find when you visit local farms and wharfs.

In fact, the deeper you dig, the more pro-active you are, the more you learn about where your dollars go and the effect those dollars have on the environment. You have the power to change things.

Just imagine being able to see the effect those dollars have on your local community.

Now, the hard part: stop imagining and do it.

Andy Roberts is a professional writer and videogame designer. Originally from the UK, he now lives in PEI with his partner, a cat, 2 dogs, 2 horses, and far too many books.

Recommended Reading

The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard
The Hundred Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald
Twinkie Deconstructed by Steve Ettlinger
The 100-Mile Diet by Alisa Smith and J. B. MacKinnon
The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power by Joel Bakan

Related posts:

1. 29 Days of Giving: Days 28 & 29