It’s NEVER government that suffers…

From: What was God Thinking:  Richard Gere urges Olympics boycott

Richard Gere urges Olympics boycott Actor Richard Gere chases a fugitive Bosnian war criminal in his latest movie role, but in real life the devout Buddhist is pursuing China on human rights abuses and says a boycott of the Beijing Olympics could help. Gere, chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet, told Reuters the 2008 Beijing Olympics were a good opportunity to encourage China to end human rights abuses in Tibet and allow the Himalayan region to decide its future.

I am getting really sick and tired of people with extremely high incomes suggesting boycotts.

If there was indeed a massive boycott of the Beijing Olympics it is not the government that would suffer.  An event like the Olympics brings income to everyone in the area.  There is more work for cab drives, for hotel maids, for restaurateurs and pretty much everyone else.  Anything that keeps people in poverty will just extend the power the government has over the population.  It’s only when people start rising out of poverty that they start having the time and resources to actually fight for their rights.

When a population has fewer economic opportunities, they have a lot more to lose by rocking the boat.  Only after someone gains a little financial independence can they step back and decide how much they will tolerate in terms of government violations of his rights. 

Americans, even lower middle class Americans, can afford to take a stand and let their feelings be known.  Just look at the number of people attending some of our domestic protest marches and you can see that.  When people are living hand to mouth they do not have that luxury.