"Starve the Beast"

The Market Ticker ^ | Jun 30 2009 | Karl Denningger

[jacquej]

I say we get help Karl Denninger get the ball rolling, and help stop all this nonsense!

[Graybeard58]

There is nothing wrong with adjusting withholding to match (as close as you reasonably can) your actual tax obligation.

Been doing that for many years. No point in "loaning" any of my money, interest free, to the government.

[Spktyr]

I’m already doing most of this....

... so I can buy more firearms, accessories, and ammo.

[mallardx]

If we band together and refuse to spend money on anything but necessities we could have this Administration on the ropes. Of course it would hit many businesses. But maybe Socialism needs to FAIL in epic proportions so we can get our Republic back. If we could wait on purchases until Congress and the White house changes parties, we would be “voting with our feet.” Seems more forceful than our Republicans in office can be. Not to trample on them while they’re down, but I think they are starting to listen to Grassroots Conservative ANGER.

[penelopesire]

We started going ‘Galt’ last November.

It’s not so bad, although I need a new car soon. It will not be an Obama or union car though.

[FromLori]

Related

http://market-ticker.org/archives/1173-And-Here-It-Is-On-CNBC-Manipulation.html

[majormaturity]

Most businesses are Mom & Pop size or 50 employees or less; if we stop spending, these people suffer; and even many of us are these people. Instead, why not boycott the purchase of products and services of those companies who support this administration AND those products that produce federal revenue. For companies, Jeffrey Imelt and GE come to mind - how about trying really hard to boycott GE? Don’t buy anything made by GE or its subsidiaries; refuse to fly on a jet powered by a GE engine (imagine the airlines when people start refusing flights on planes with GE engines?); refuse an MRI at a hospital that uses GE MRI machines or x-ray machines; stop buying GE light bulbs; stop financing through GE’s finance unit; etc. As to products, the gov’t charges an excise tax on new car tires - how about waiting as long as you safely can to buy tires, then buy used ones from the classifieds or Craig’s List (no excise tax on buying used tires). Reduce gas consumption as much as possible - less fuel tax to the feds. I think we need someone to get a website going to spread the word - we can boycott until you listen and change - if you haven’t heard us by the next election, you go home.

[jacquej]

If you go over to Karl’s forum, and read the comments, many of them are suggesting that we continue to support our local Mom and Pop businesses.

We are having a large family gathering this weekend, and will going to a locally owned restaurant to give them the support. We now shop at our local hardware store, instead of the box chains.

Most important, I think is to stop using the withholding tax as a “savings” account. Only have as much taken out of your pay as you will actually owe. Those of us who pay quarterly might ask our accountants how best to pay the minimum quarterly without running afoul of IRS rules.

I also like the idea of printing out sheets of paper, and encouraging all those we know to join in the “starvation program”.

[SuziQ]

“Don’t feed the monster” PING!

[OB1kNOb]

“Starve the Beast”.......I like it. It has a nice sound to it.

[SkyPilot]

It won't work.

A "Consumption" protest is ridiculous in an economy this size and a forum base this small.

If anyone launches something that would really work, like a National Tax Protest (which of course I don't advocate) their IP address could be demanded by the Secret Service from FR owner and they would be investigated and prosecuted.

[familyop]

Finally...realization. There are those who are trying to bleed every last dollar that they can get out of consumers for entertainment and the like. They feel that their worlds will end, if they must rely on doing real work for living. We can do it, and they’ll survive.

We are already doing it. A few more people with us will bring the needed defaults and only workable solution. Governments and government-dependent businesses are heading for defaults anyway. The longer it takes, the longer that we’ll have to put up with their despotism. Stop buying everything that you don’t really need for a few years. It will be difficult, but we need to shut their sources of revenue down.

Grow gardens. Store food. Learn to make useful things. Refuse to engage in phony, fixed politics. We’ll make it.

[Costumed Vigilante]

I've been in, am in, and will continue to remain in.

Additionally, I am burdening the Federal infrastructure and attempting to stress out as many Federal employees as possible. This is very personal.

Tyranny is implemented by individuals, and it is these individuals I make suffer, and will continue to do so. I want them to hate their jobs, and question their value as human beings. I want them to run screaming from their government job desks into the night, knowing that whatever horrors await them can't be as bad as those they left sitting in their "In" box.

Evil must have a cost, and I intend to extract it.

A verbis ad verbera

[sjmjax]

I’ve been in “Galt Mode” since November.

Funny timing. Just this afternoon I was wondering how a nationwide movement to “starve the beast” could be encouraged.

My thought was an email to your congressman and both senators stating what you expect them to do or undo. Until then you will make no unnecessary purchases - No new cars, furniture, kitchen appliances, home remodeling/purchase, landscaping, clothing, toys, computers, music, movies, recreational activities that require significant expense and so on. Whatever non-essential purchases that you control.

Business owners likewise could promise no new employees, equipment purchases or business construction.

I don’t think it would take a larger percentage of Americans participating to have a noticeable affect.

Yeah, as mentioned it’s going to hurt some people. But we’re going to get hurt much more so by the actions of Congress. Might as well take the medicine now while it might be effective.

[perchprism]

I like your approach. To the extent possible, we should tax the federal government.

[Publius6961]

Enough food to eat at home. No more eating out. Rent and utilities. Essential medical services. Enough fuel to get to and from work. In addition any "excess withholding" is stopped; if you are getting a big fat refund from the IRS every year you are loaning the government your money at zero interest until April. Stop that; its stupid. Change your W4 so you get exactly nothing back or owe a tiny amount; if you pay estimates pay only that which you must and not one dime more.

Talk about being way ahead of the curve...
After September of 2008, when my 401(k) principal lost 45% of its value overnight, those "recommendations" became not an option, but a necessity. What I need now is survivalist suggestions to go beyond that. My current major discretionary spending is books. Any other suggestions besides buying used, which I am already doing?

[muir_redwoods]

Another thing we could do would be to coordinate the mass cashing in of US Savings Bonds. It a small part of the debt but if we all acted on the same day, say, 9/11, it might send a message.

[FastCoyote]

[It’s not so bad, although I need a new car soon. It will not be an Obama or union car though.]

I have a 67 Camaro and a 57 Bel Air for that reason. They go up in value with time, the repairs aren’t that much worse than new cars if you do preventive maintenance, and you starve the Unions.

[MSSC6644]

Any other suggestions besides buying used, which I am already doing?

The library? You're already paying for it; might as well use it as much as possible.

[Oatka]

My thought was an email to your congressman and both senators stating what you expect them to do or undo. Until then you will make no unnecessary purchases

Direct your snail mail to the companies as to why you're not buying their product. The pols won't listen to you but perhaps, if the companies get enough of these letters, and get them is a steady stream every week/month, the pols might listen to them, since they are the big campaign contributors.