Independence Day for Independent Bookstores 2006: Supporting Democracy

is the tentative title of an anthology I am putting together. I invite you to participate:

Submit a story (2000 word max), a poem, an essay or a 10 minute play on topics such as: 1) my favorite independent store; 2) how I support the local economy; or 3) I watched my favorite local store close. Please submit early but must be postmarked by January 30 to Paul Aaron, PO Box 9251, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-9251 or e-mailed to paul at paulaaron.com.

The idea began in Chapel Hill when we held an “Independence Day for Independent Bookstores” celebration on the July 4, 2005 weekend. My goal in creating this event was to bring more consumers to independent, locally owned bookstores and, in particular, to benefit Branch’s Chapel Hill Bookshop, which was in trouble. “Independence Day” had some success. However, the endangered independent bookstore is closing all over the country.

My hope is to hold “Independence Day for Independent Bookstores” events in local communities nationally, using the book to stimulate interest.

Thank you for your help in this exciting endeavor. I would appreciate any guidance you might be able to give, as well as any recommendations of other authors to contribute to the anthology. Thank you again.

Sincerely yours,

Paul Aaron

"What is often called "pro-business" is pro-big-business, not pro-independent-business. Their "pro-business" policies are putting thousands and thousands of small businesses OUT OF BUSINESS in favor of huge, centralized business.

"WANT TO SAVE OUR COUNTRY and our democracy at the same time, without a whole lot of effort?

"It's a simple idea with far-reaching consequences:

"Democracy thrives in a culture of independent, local, small businesses. Democracy suffers in an environment of huge, distant, centralized businesses. Feed the lions and they will eat you. Stop feeding the lions and start feeding your neighbors instead.

"Can you think of a local business you love, & want to support and help? To save democracy in America?

"Beginning July 1-4, for just FOUR DAYS every month, participate in Save America One Business at a Time"

The above was found on http://www.democracymeansyou.com/saveamerica/

This is what our Chapel Hill community started.

You may help by contacting radio, TV, friendly newspaper reporters, friends and family. Tell them you want to support business, not to squelch it. Tell them you want to be a good neighbor, too. The bottom line is not just money, it's support of local families and small store owners.

Remember what this is really about. Yes, individual stores need our help, but we are truly working to bring about a bigger change: in how people buy so that we support our neighbors and ourselves--keep our money in the local economy

Today, I will understand that for every WalMart that opens, the Federal government needs

$420,000 per year to pay for housing assistance and tax rebates for the low paid workers.

This comes out of my pocket.

Today, I will buy a book from an

independent bookstore.

Today, I will remember that democracy survives in a culture of independent, small business.

Today, I will support the ideal image that we live in a country of independent owners, small, successful stores and lovely family farms. (Even if non-locals now own all but a few.)

Today, I will spend my dollars in my neighbor's shop. After all, my family had dinner with their family at church yesterday… at the mosque last week… at synagogue last night. My children go to their house sometimes after school. They live and play just down the street. I don't get to dine with the owner of non-local large corporations too often so I'd rather keep my neighbor in business.

Chainstore buying power cannot lower prices enough for me to buy there. I know when profits stay local

so that my neighbor has dollars to buy from me. Today I will support my neighbor and

buy my holiday gift books and CDs at the locally owned independent bookstore.

Are you an author, poet, musician? Or want to volunteer to help?

We're going to make small business live.

Part of a series to benefit small stores everywhere. If you want to have your bookstore join us have them contact me at paul at paulaaron.com.

Support independent locally owned business.

I want to be fair to large business too. I am concerned, however, that we not create unfair advantage for corporations. There needs to be a balance. Corporations are required by law to make the most money they can for their stockholders. Nothing else matters (legally). So, right now if you work for WalMart, you earn at poverty level. Wages are so low that workers are eligible for government assistance. For every WalMart that opens, the Federal government needs $420,000 per year to pay for housing assistance and tax rebates for the low paid workers. This comes out of my pocket. That means you and I are helping to finance WalMart, which is not right. If workers complain or try to bring wages to a reasonable level, they are out on the street. (One new WalMart store simply closed its doors when the staff decided to unionize.) Workers end up in poverty.

What is the ethical response? Perhaps it is to buy from independent business. Break the cycle of poverty. Share wealth fairly. It is OK for someone to have millions but it is not ethical for the millionaire to create poverty while collecting his, as the rest of us fight desperately for each independent store individually.

Here is our opportunity. We just need, on a regular basis, to support our neighbors' locally owned stores.

I saw the movie, "Grapes of Wrath" again last week. "Grapes of Wrath" sums it all up. Go rent it from your locally owned video store. Buy the book from your local independent bookstore.

I want to start a movement to support independent locally owned business. That's how to keep us from poverty. Run a successful business and you are not impoverished.