Resist Amazon

Why we’re picking on Amazon

Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, the 4th richest person in the U.S., with a net worth of $241 Billion, is deeply steeped in politics, and has recently endeared himself to this administration by donating $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, as well as to the ballroom project.  Bezos also bankrolled the “Melania” documentary for $40 million plus nearly as much to promote.

As owner of the Washington Post, Bezos drastically cut newsroom professionals, and alienated staff and readers when he pulled the planned endorsement of Kamala Harris in 2024.  He has since restricted writers of the Opinions section to steer clear of topics that may negatively affect his relationship with the Trump Administration [ref].

Amazon Web Services is a cloud computing company that provides data infrastructure for much of the Internet, from government servers to Netflix. 

• Amazon is particularly tough on its blue-collar workers.  Their warehouses have twice the injury rates than other warehouses [ref]. Bezos has fought efforts to unionize and has lobbied to eliminate the National Labor Relations Board [ref].  One-third of warehouse workers and drivers are not Amazon employees, but “temps” who receive lower wages and fewer benefits than employees.  

• Amazon supports ICE and Border Patrol through its web services: Amazon: Stop Powering ICE’s Deportation Machine

• Amazon’s monopolist position in so many sectors stifles competition, reduces jobs and threatens communities [ref].

Further reading: How to Resist Amazon and Why by Danny Caine, an independent bookstore owner in Lawrence, Kansas.

How to Reduce Your Amazon Habit

• Check out Scott Galloway’s Resist and Unsubscribe site and scroll down to the Amazon list.  You’ll see a list of subscription services. Unsubscribe to as many as you feel you can right now. 

If you do shop on Amazon and you see your item originates with a 3rd-party seller, go directly to that party’s website and buy from there if possible. According to a report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Amazon charged an average of a 30% seller’s fee to those vendors, and that percentage had been rising rapidly [ref].

Shop Alternative Stores

• Kohls, Ikea, and Wayfair: according to Goods United Us, these companies show no corporate political giving. When their senior employees contribute, it is largely to Democratic causes.
• Shop values-aligned small businesses and service providers listed here: Little Blue Cart and Little Blue Market for progressive items.

Shop Alternative Books and E-Readers

• Barnes & Noble
  • Stood up to right-wingers with this list: Challenged & Banned Books List | Barnes & Noble®
  • Does not contribute to political candidates or PACs, while its senior employees contribute a medium amount, which is 98% Democratic. 
  • See also: How America Learned to Love Barnes & Noble Again
• Rakuten Kobo e-readers are generally considered to be the best alternatives to Amazon’s Kindle. According to a summary from the Washington Post, Kobo has attracted many defectors from Kindle due largely to Amazon’s tightened grip on Kindle users and Jeff Bezos’ political activities, but also due to the Kobo products’ features and support.   
• Libro.fm for audiobooks. Purchases support local bookstores of your own choosing.
• Better World Books is an online bookseller that is a Certified B Corporation. They implement projects that promote energy efficiency, reduce waste, and foster a greener environment. 
• Check out these Phoenix area booksellers.