This subject started a whole discussion between me and the lovely ball-and-chain. On one hand, us free-market capitalist types think that consumers should seek to buy the best product at the best price and not concern themselves with what happens to their money. If Stan's Staplers has the best office supplies, is it my concern if he donates some of his fairly earned money to Satan? Should we subsidize an inferior or more expensive product because the CEO's private spending better matches our values? Probably not.

On the other hand, if the competition is really between products very similar in price and quality, why not break the tie with the blue vs red issue? I think the Netflix vs Blockbuster competition is in this category. The price is very close; the service is good with both; might as well support the side that I think makes the country better.
 

I agree that if netflix were half the price of blockbuster, the red/blue thing would not tip the scale back to blockbuster. It's more of an "all other things being equal" kinda deal. Plus it's cheaper than Netflix.

But I don't think it conflicts with free market principles to consider an x-factor such as this in your spending habits. If Netflix were 1/2 the price of Blockbuster, but I knew that the CEO of Netflix was, say, anti-Israel, or the company gave funds to anti-Israel groups, then I wouldn't give 'em a dime. And, yeah, pro-Satan would be pretty high up on the negative list as well (no offense to the demon community).
 

I'm really torn on this. I agree with you in theory, but in practice I'm sure I buy tons of Saudi oil and lots of everything from China. Companies that donated to Kerry seem benign by comparison...
 

I managed to boycott Heinz ketchup, however, by buying Ukrainian one in the local store and supporting the fledgling democracy. Killing two birds with one stone! ; )
 

Irina: strong work.
 

Was it not Rabbi Tarfon who said, "You don't have to complete the job, but you're not free to cast it aside, either."

The Israel example I used above is far more important to me than this red/blue stuff. Like I said, if I can go the red way, fine. I'm hardly gonna check that web site before I buy anything.

And especially in cases where I have no choice, such as the premium blend of oil in my (non-premium) gasoline, I'm not gonna worry about it. I'll just try not to waste gas.