No! There is no political or ecological or moral aspect to where we choose to live! I have engaged in this argument over and over again since the late 1960s. There is no political constraint on idividual consumption choices UNLESS there is an organized mass struggle (as exhibited in pickets, full-page ads, leaflettings, demonstrations, etc) around the the choice at issue. Attempts to make individual consumption choices a matter subject to moral or political judgment absent such mass decisions are victious and devisive.
[WS:] I have to agree with Carrol on that for a change. Politicization of individual consumption in the absence of a larger social movement is not only politically ineffective but quite annoying and patronizing. At best, it is a manifestation of tokenism, or creating a face saving illusion of doing something "for the cause" while in fact doing nothing. It is like those Catholics who "sin" every day and then go to a confession once a year to "save their souls" (whatever that is.) But oftentimes is taking a moralizing, patronizing and guilt tripping attitude toward others, which immediately begs the "fuck off" response.
Another point - consumer choices seldom make any difference, because the very raison d'etre of large corporations is hedging against market fluctuations. Boycotting a firm is nothing but a market fluctuation for that firm, and a rather insignificant one. Corporations are usually well equipped to handle this. The only businesses that are likely to be significantly affected by such boycotts are small businesses - but boycotting these is like kicking the family dog to "get back" at the boss at work. Pretty ineffective and contemptible.
A much effective way of changing corporate practices is government regulation - but one of the most widely shared cultural norms and beliefs in the US - regardless of one's political orientation - is suspicion of government and government regulations. Consequently, any action that does not call for effective government regulation is likely to gain more public support across all political spectrum that one that call for such regulation, even if such action is merely a token with zero political or social impact.
Wojtek