My former colleague Rory O’Connor sent out the following:
This is not an original idea, but one a colleague suggested and seemed like a brilliant one to me.
On Monday, when the stock markets reopen, every American should buy five or ten or twenty shares of their favorite stock. It doesn’t matter what, and it doesn’t have to involve spending a fortune. But if enough people did this, it could well serve to not only jump-start the markets, but boost consumer confidence and perhaps prevent the supposed psychological recession that some economists are sure will follow Tuesday’s tragedy.
Remember: there is great uncertainty in the financial markets right now. With all the doom and gloom talk, the response by institutional investors, arbitragers, short sellers and others will be to cover their butts, run for the exits, put the markets into a tailspin — and play right into the hands of terrorists who hope their despicable act will create chaos and instability.
We can show these terrorists they are wrong. Ordinary Americans doing this can have more impact than all the Federal Reserve statements in the world. Just 50 million Americans, one-fifth of the population, buying 20 shares each on Monday adds up to one billion shares on the “plus” side, firmly demonstrating faith in our institutions, the very ones that were attacked on Tuesday.
Think of this in the same way you would buying a War Bond in World War II: volunteering a small amount of your money for a much larger, and hugely important cause. Millions of Americans did that in the face of global evil 60 years ago, and I’m sure Americans will answer the call facing the same situation today.
Or you can think of it as a way to show support and solidarity with the people who lost so many colleagues in the collapse of the World Trade Center, a majority of whom work in the financial sector.
Either way, this act would be a potent demonstration of America’s resolve never to be cowed by terrorists.
Please feel free to pass this on to your IP list and to anyone else you wish. Help get the word out that there’s something every American can truly do in this time of national crisis and national unity.