justice, buying, and selling

Thinking more about justice. I'm not a big boycotter of this and that. Boycotting can hurt more people than the specific higher-ups that boycotters think they're targeting so I'm not sure whether boycotting is a true shot at justice.

Any company that loses business will, as a result, lay off workers. Those workers are usually the ones working hard to support their families. I don't know the stats but it might make an interesting research project to see what boycotting actually accomplishes. Justice and mercy trade offs are tough.

Still, in our consumer-focused culture, choosing to support local industry and local producers, supporting industries that treat their workers (and their customers) well, carefully choosing the products we buy and the producers we support is probably a really good way for kids to learn about justice, stewardship, and economics. Every child's question (Why do we do that? Why don't we do that?) is an opportunity to teach them what we value and why. As they grow their questions will grow, too.

Internet buying and selling is convenient but is it killing local business? I REALLY don't like shopping or spending money and I'm not particularly comfortable with business transactions especially when a business is looking more after its own interests than the interests of its customers. Internet buying from reputable vendors is cheaper, more convenient, time - efficient and I'd rather shop that way. But I'm rethinking.

I'm guessing over time internet buying and selling will seriously change more elements of our culture than we realize. Maybe for the better (parents working home). Maybe for the worse (local businesses going out of business and less person-to-person interaction and service.) I'm guessing consumer families -more than individuals- will largely determine the outcome. Life can get complicated.