...there are a few things I can suggest:
1. One of the best ways, in my view, is to do your banking at a Credit Union rather than at a conventional bank like B of A. The rates and service are usually better, your deposits are insured like at a bank, and best of all, the depositors (read: YOU) own the Credit Union - not Jamie Dimon, not Goldman Sachs, not B of A. You can elect who sits on their boards, much like a school board or other local election;
2. Patronize co-op businesses wherever possible, for your basic shopping like groceries or the like. These are owned by members of the co-op, which usually include the employees themselves, and very often, the customers;
3. If at all possible, favor local-owned businesses over chains for most of your shopping. Yes, it's usually more expensive, but the money stays local, and your helping to give those local business owners and entrepreneurs a fighting chance against the behemoths;
4. Whatever you do, avoid the big-box retailers wherever possible - ESPECIALLY WAL-MART! Yes, they've got low, low prices - but that's exactly how they get you. The prices are the trap they use. Don't fall for it.
(I exclude Costco from this list, because of their reputation for paying their people better than most retailers. And their prices are still fairly decent, for the most part.)
5. Continue to educate yourself - and realize that the schools and the media aren't going to do it - their interests are now almost exactly aligned with Corporate America. Read the work of people like Chris Hedges, Naomi Klein (The Shock Doctrine, especially), John Perkins, Thom Hartmann, Robert Reich, and the late Mike Ruppert.
6. Whatever you do, DON'T SHUT UP! And don't let ANYONE tell you to shut up - and that means ANYONE, including those leaders who allegedly represent the "left" of the political spectrum, including our own President.
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