Monday, February 06, 2006
Buy Blue?
BuyBlue.org Has Been Created to Make Businesses Tank
I can't think of a worse idea than to create a business directory based on political viewpoints. Purchases should be based on things like price, quality, customer service and convenience. You know, things which create a competitive advantage.
Why in the world would a business want to be listed in a directory that would alienate part of its customer base? Well, only if you believe in serving a niche market.
BuyBlue.org's target niche market has one common thread - identification as a Democrat or as a person 'progressive' in thought.
BuyBlue.org, though, isn't going to wait on businesses who think it would be a boon to be listed on their blue sheets. No, BuyBlue.org intends to:
Research and rate local businesses based on information available from the federal election commission and from state election authorities, and also from a voluntary questionnaire intended to highlight progressive business practices, in-kind donations to campaigns and charities, etc.It has to be a joke, right? This is something that conservatives could only dream would be created.
I shop at Republican owned businesses and Democrat owned businesses. Mainly, I shop at businesses where I have no idea of the political affiliation of the owners or where the ownership base is so diffuse it is made up of legions of people with a host of different viewpoints.