Vote Fair Trade

Forget the electoral college. We live in a market economy that's how our politicians want it so the votes that we make that have the most clout are the votes we make with our dollars. Our country would fall apart if we didn't spend in fact the world might fall apart if we don't shop. I don't really like that, but today more than at any other time we can choose who benefits from our hard earned-dollar. The American dream is about the underdog. Here anyone can be what ever they want, right? Why not give that power to our neighbors around the world too?
I don't want big oil to get my money. I don't want to pay the salaries of corporate CEOs. This is why I pay for wind power, drive a gas-efficient vehicle, and buy fair trade. I don't shop at big box stores if I can help it. Instead I want to know that my dollars are supporting the people who make the products I use. I don't like the idea of middle men getting more money for a product they never touched than the skilled artisan who made it or the farmer who harvested it. I have chosen to vote for more equality in the world economy. Factory mass production just doesn't have much appeal to me -- neither does mass accumulation of stuff. I would prefer to have things of quality over quantity and I will pay more for it. I am a small business person who wants my customers to see the value in dealing with me on a personal level and that is how I want to consume as well. To me, fair trade is personal. I am an underdog, regular people in developing countries are underdogs. I want to work from home and care for my family. I want to work at something I love to do. I want a healthy environment. I want these things for anyone else who wants those things too. I vote for people -- everyday people who produce with pride who have a face and a name. There is no reason all business cannot function more ethically and treating all people as human beings regardless of whether they are protected by a constitution or not. If more of us vote for people -- for quality -- humanity -- the more business will shift -- our dollar is the most powerful chad we have! If corporate colonialism is doing its thing because it is chasing the almighty dollar they are going to have to chase my dollar to the door of a woman in the mountains of Vietnam who weaves Hmong textiles, for instance, and maybe they will trip on a left over land mine on the way!