D.B. Cooper
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2016
- Messages
- 4,395
I don't know if I should even post this here, but here goes.
REI, once one of my favorite retailers, is pulling all Vista Outdoors products (principally Camelbak hydration products and Bell cycling gear) simply because they are owned by the same holding company (Vista Outdoors) that owns Savage Arms and Federal Ammunition.
It seems a stretch to ban water bladders in an effort to attack the 2nd Amendment, but that seems to be their tack.
I've spent at least a couple grand over the past years at REI, and I've got a significant wish list at REI right now, as I plan to upgrade gear and completely outfit my teenage son for upcoming A.T. section hike of the White Mountains. Because REI opposes my most basic Constitutional rights and freedoms, I will be buying all of that gear elsewhere, and I won't be back after this blows over. REI will not use my own money, earned by own labor, against me.
I understand that it is every person's 1st amendment right to "vote with their dollars," and I understand that, since the Citizens United decision, "corporations are people too," and REI is on solid legal ground.
My concern is that corporations will now start currying favor with consumers by choosing up sides on every political issue, and, for the 2nd Amendment at least, it will become an end run around the Constitution. I think our best defense is to make sure and certain that investors and CEOs understand that there is a significant number of gun owners who are will to spend their money elsewhere as an extension of our voting rights at the polls.
I fear that this whole issue is going to spiral and expand into every aspect of our lives very quickly, and we will not have a moment's peace. We are going to be shamed into submission much like was done with tobacco users.
REI, once one of my favorite retailers, is pulling all Vista Outdoors products (principally Camelbak hydration products and Bell cycling gear) simply because they are owned by the same holding company (Vista Outdoors) that owns Savage Arms and Federal Ammunition.
It seems a stretch to ban water bladders in an effort to attack the 2nd Amendment, but that seems to be their tack.
I've spent at least a couple grand over the past years at REI, and I've got a significant wish list at REI right now, as I plan to upgrade gear and completely outfit my teenage son for upcoming A.T. section hike of the White Mountains. Because REI opposes my most basic Constitutional rights and freedoms, I will be buying all of that gear elsewhere, and I won't be back after this blows over. REI will not use my own money, earned by own labor, against me.
I understand that it is every person's 1st amendment right to "vote with their dollars," and I understand that, since the Citizens United decision, "corporations are people too," and REI is on solid legal ground.
My concern is that corporations will now start currying favor with consumers by choosing up sides on every political issue, and, for the 2nd Amendment at least, it will become an end run around the Constitution. I think our best defense is to make sure and certain that investors and CEOs understand that there is a significant number of gun owners who are will to spend their money elsewhere as an extension of our voting rights at the polls.
I fear that this whole issue is going to spiral and expand into every aspect of our lives very quickly, and we will not have a moment's peace. We are going to be shamed into submission much like was done with tobacco users.