Localism

In doing my research for my trip to Nashville, I realized that I only calculated the cost of driving one-way. Essentially, it will cost the same amount to fly or drive- about $200. I also realized that there are no resources out there for those of us seeking out independent gas stations. I did the best I could with google maps, but when it comes down to it, I think I am forced to decide between giving my $200 to oil companies or giving it to an airline.

My mother is utterly confused and I think slightly annoyed at my desire to snub large corporations, and although I think she's not seeing the whole picture, I must admit that I think it may be impossible to NEVER interact with a franchise or a box store. For example, I only have about a quarter tank of gas left. Usually, I stop at the WaWa close to where I work because it's oftentimes the cheapest. But now, do I still do that?

WaWa poses an interesting dilemma- first of all, it is not a national company, it's rather regional, popping up mostly in NJ and PA. But I do believe it's still a franchise. And, as I'm learning from the latest book I've been reading, Fast Food Nation, the franchising system is set up to help the owners get richer, while keeping the workers as poor as possible. Additionally, the percentage of money that goes to the corporate office versus the percentage of money which stays within the local economy (for workers' wages, site improvement, etc) is significantly skewed. Franchising is one of the biggest criminals in widening the disparity between rich and poor, and in moving money out of local economies.

So maybe, when having to interact with these companies, I should research them in comparison to each other to find out:

1) Which franchises are the smallest.

2) Which have the best payouts for franchise owners.

... and since I would like to be supporting "good" companies:

3) Which support Democratic candidates/support HRC/support progressive movements.

4) Which pay living wage or at least closest to it.

5) Which offer decent benefits to employees.

6) Which try to use local/independent suppliers whenever possible.

7) Which don't use overseas plants/child labor/chemicals/hormones/generally bad stuff..

In looking at this list I think (hope) it will be much easier to find a smaller airline that can match some of these expectations than an oil company... just because of the nature of the two industries. I'll research that and post my findings on here.

Meanwhile, one of the friends I'm traveling with went ahead and booked the Ramada Limited. I did some research on the company.. the chain is owned by Wyndham Worldwide, which just happens to be the largest lodging franchiser in the world. It has 6,900 hotels under 12 brand names on 6 continents! So much for going for the smaller, more regional company! This is by far the biggest company you can possible get a hotel room from. Unfortunately, the only Bread & Breakfasts in the area were pricey "have-your-wedding-here" type places. What happened to cute little inns? And camping? I'd be all for it, but I think the rest of my friends like the luxuries of real buildings.

The only solace I have is that my friends would have reserved this room whether I was going or not and it's only costing $35 per person. So $35 of my money is going to Wyndham Worldwide. Just this once... =(

As far as the title of this post, I'm thinking maybe what I'm doing isn't so much anti-capitalism, but more localism... which is kind of anti-capitalistic... not sure, I'll have to keep reading!

Long-Distance Travel

So, I'm already running into my first dilemma. A friend from high school had a baby and I was planning on going down to Nashville to visit and see the baby. Now, obviously, the way to stay non-capitalist about this is to drive down, only stopping at local family-owned establishments and independent gas stations (which I'll have to research ahead of time of course). But Nashville is 13 hours away. The flight would only take 2 hours. This poses a philosophical question. At which point do I start sacrificing amenities for this experiment? Is this unrealistic?

On the one hand I can fork over $220 to US Airways and my travel will be quick and comfortable. On the other I can spend roughly $100 on gas and tolls and put 845 miles on my car to get there in 13 hours (probably 15 because of stops and rest). Maybe I should make a pros and cons list:

Flying to Nashville:

PROS: Fast, comfortable

CONS: Costly ($220), giving money to corporate giant

Driving to Nashville:

PROS: Saving money (only $100), not supporting capitalism, scenery

CONS: Long trip, wear and tear on car

Ok, so basically, flying to Nashville is the easy thing to do. It's fast and hassle free (as much as air travel can be I guess.. there is always the possibility of lost luggage... I need to do more research.

Research to be done: Find out if there are any independent airlines, research independent gas stations along the travel route.

Also problematic, the friends I am going with want to stay at either a Holiday Inn or a Days Inn. Both are chains. An independent motel or inn would be better. As it stands now the Holiday Inn would be $55 per person and the Days Inn would be $35 per person. I wonder if I can find something of equal price, but non-corporate.

Research to be done: Find an affordable independent hotel/motel/inn in the Nashville area.

Introduction

I must admit that for a long time I've been thinking about doing an experiment like this. I'm realizing now that maybe I was too afraid to do it in the past. Afraid of what others might think, afraid of disappointing my family. I think I was even afraid that trying to live outside the bounds of our system would be a wrong choice, and somehow ruin my life forever. I don't know the point at which all these fears vanished, but I can say now with confidence that they are gone.

To get right down to it, I'm disgusted with the American way of life. Sorry patriots, I don't mean to offend you. I'm not saying America itself is something to scoff at. At its core, in the beginning, America was a great idea. The ultimate experiment in rebellion. But now things have gone awry. I'm disappointed with the way things have been operating lately, the way of life we've all allowed ourselves to slip into. Namely, capitalism.

Now I know right off the bat some of you reading this blog will hold great contempt for me at daring to say your way of life is, well, disturbing. You'll write nasty comments telling me I don't know what I'm talking about and you'll try to throw economics lessons in my face. I'll save you some time- I don't care what you think. The motivation for this experiment is not based on any academic economics study. I'm not claiming that the way I am going to be living from now on will somehow save America from itself. Hell, I'm not even suggesting other people follow my lead. I'm doing what I want to do for myself. This blog is just a way to keep an account of that, and perhaps share some of my insights, struggles, and lessons with other people who might have similar feelings.

So, to the details of the experiment. It is my goal to live, work, eat, and play in a non-capitalist way. I would call this something else (something positive) but I'm not sure there's an opposite term yet. Some websites have suggested altruism, others socialism. But these aren't quite right. When I say I want to live outside the realm of capitalism, I mean that I want to pursue a lifestyle of conscious decision-making based on how my activities affect myself and those around me. In our current capitalist way of life, we do not do this (very often).

I'm not setting out to be a freegan, to abandon the use of money all together. I definitely admire people who can live a rastafarian, primitivist life. But this experiment of mine is not extreme. Here are a few principles I will try to live by, and over the course of the days, I'll use this blog to go into more detail about these goals, and also assess the practicality of them.

1. Work for a local company. Find a job doing work which benefits the local community. This company should value its neighbors and provide services or products which impact people in a positive way. This company should not have a national corporate office and should not be part of a chain. This company should not be selling something to people, which they do not need.

2. Use government-funded entities. Take full advantage of parks, libraries, public space, universities, schools, etc... Utilizing these services will save me money on recreation (a picnic instead of dining out, borrowing a movie instead of renting one). Also, it's a way to counter the consumer culture of entertainment.

3. Eat at independently-owned restaurants. So much of our money goes to corporate chain restaurants. Every time we eat at a Wendy's or a TGIFridays, we move money out of our local community and into the hands of big corporate giants. Plus, we are getting low-quality, pre-made, frozen, factory-farmed, unhealthy meals at these establishments. There are plenty of indy restaurants which use only fresh, local, organic ingredients. I want to support them and I want to put that kind of food in my body.

4. Buy local groceries. I want to buy food at farmers markets, where I can get the products that my neighbors are growing and selling. I'll get fresh, non-modified, pesticide-free food, and I'll also be supporting an independent farmer, not a national conglomerate, which produces chemically and genetically modified foods, and which uses my money to keep the poor poor and help the rich get richer.

5. Buy clothing in thrift stores. This one I've NEVER done before. I have always been a slave to the Old Navy brand. But by buying at thrift stores, I'm keeping my money in the local community and I'm reusing materials. Plus wearing a brand and knowing that the company producing that brand didn't get a dime of my money is extremely satisfying.

6. Join local service groups. The 5 goals above all support my local community with money, but I can also offer my time, effort, and talent. Along the way, I'll get to know people in my community better and become more aware of local problems, projects, and goals.