Here's a good idea: Amazon or some other big internet company could institute a "buy local" program that invests a little in every locality where the money was spent -- the hard part would be figuring out how to allocate money like that. But think of the good will it would generate for anyone who did this for some company. The couple of cents on every purchase could go to some nonprofit umbrella organization that invests in community development in each county or city. Or people could apply for grants from a community foundation in the company's name. The company that did something like this would generate such good will. I'm thinking of companies that buy and sell from people in a lot of different places, like iTunes or Netflix or Amazon or Lands End that simply fill orders. It seems like an opportunity to grow not only your business but your community?

Would this seem far too socialist a concept for most people I know? I believe people like me go out of our way to buy things from people who invest in the communities who are making their profits possible. This kind of investment stands to exponentially increase benefits to both parties over time.

Target might be a good example of this. They've had local giving programs for years and have shown growth over time by steadily building their customer base. I don't know many people who don't go to Target. It's the K-Mart for the new millenium. Whole Foods does a nice thing once a week in the summer and early fall by providing food and staff and cooking and selling little dinners in front of the store for an hour or two at $3 per plate, with all money collected going to a local school. The food is always good and it raises a fair amount of money each time, all donated by the store. It must be a fabulous tax write-off for Whole Foods, but it is also a visible effort that directly benefits our community on several levels -- money raised for the school and an inexpensive, high-quality dinner for us for very little money.

I'd love to go to Bonnaroo