Rules, Rules, Rules

(Note: Unfortunately I am writing this blog after much of the stage for the ban had been set. Luke and I began discussing this idea in mid-December 2006. I did not start this blog until January 16, 2007. This is what we developed before January 1, 2007.....)

Now for the nitty gritty....

These are the rules we must play by (note this will have to be a constantly evolving process since we did not think of every possible circumstance, in fact, I don't know if we even thought of most of the issues we will encounter!)

Rules for China Boycott:

1) Starting January 1, 2007 Elizabeth and Luke will no longer purchase any goods made in China. Made in China is defined as any product labeled "Made in China" (Okay, so that one is obvious!) or any product which is labeled with components made in China, even if it is ultimately assembled somewhere else.

2) We will have open discussions with friends, family, strangers and stationary objects about this boycott. We will have these discussions to give validity to what we are doing, to raise awareness of the project, to open up conversation about consumerism, imports and exports etc., as well as to educate ourselves. We also hope that these conversations will encourage other people to join our bandwagon, and, if we were being completely honest, we would also occasionally be having these conversations as a means of patting ourselves on the back for this decision (hey, I'm being honest!).

Clearly there are loopholes here and areas which are as clear as mud. We did not put more than two weeks worth of discussion and planning into this project, which may come back to bite us later.

Exceptions to the Rules:

1) Chinese food, as in food from a Chinese Restaurant, is not part of the boycott since it is made in America.

2) Anything purchased in 2006 is still fair game.

3) Purchases made by other people for us are not subject to the above rules since it was our decision to do this. We will tell potential gift givers that we don't expect them to abide by these rules (not that we would object if they joined us!).

4) We are only exculded from buying things made in China if we are the primary consumers. For example, if we are purchasing an item used from a thrift shop, sidewalk sale, Ebay, etc., then it is ok if if is made in China. The premise of the ban is that consumption drives production but it is only the primary consumer who is tracked. It is my hypothosis that corporations and marketing strategists do not keep tabs on goods purchased second hand. I willingly admit that this may be seen as a completly selfish exclusion (I did come up with this exemption after realizing that all but two pairs of my winter shoes and all of Luke's shoes were made in China.) and maybe it is selfish. Maybe I need to feel I have an "out" in order to make this boycott more tolerable.

It is agreed that other countries may be added to the list as time goes by, but for now we agree with Luke's idea to start with one focus, as opposed to my fleeting idea to only buy stuff made in America.

Still Up in the Air:

What to do in emergency situations, i.e. our 1996 Saturn with 141,000 miles on it breaks down (a likely scenario indeed!). This is our only vehicle. However, where we live it is not necessary to have a car. Yet we are planning on moving to the East Coast by the middle of 2007 and a car will then become "a necessity".

We are toying with the "good faith idea" wherein we will do our best to locate necessary "essential" items which are not made in China and if none can be found, then the made in China rule will go out the window. After all, not everything in life can be substituted.

We don't get very far in this "good faith idea" though amidst the chaos and cheer of Christmas and my return home for the holidays. I guess we will have to revisit this idea in 2007.

So there you have it, our clear as mud, not so black and white, handy dandy do-it-yourself guide to our first boycott. I do believe interesting times lay ahead!