WalMart and dumb people

[kahleefornia]

I was watching the local news today, and they were talking about the opening of the first Mega WalMart in LA County. They talked to a woman in the parking lot, who said "I understand what people say about WalMart taking business away from smaller companies, but in tough economic times like these, we need lower prices."

NO lady - you really don't understand! These tough economic times are the *result* of WalMart. When your only job opportunity pays no more than minimum wage, and cheats you out of overtime, while you're selling goods manufactured in China that used to be produced by the rest of your community here in the USA, YES, you don't have enough money to buy your cheap plastic disposable crap anywhere else. Most likely because you have no healthcare, so much of your $200/week goes to trying to pay for your child's routine care.

Don't like it? Hey, get another job. Except that there are no other jobs. And if there are, they don't pay what they used to - because why should they pay more than WalMart pays, when everyone is desperate for work?

Guess what - I'm not experiencing tough economic times. I have a cushy Union job. My wages are fantastic, I have complete health coverage, and a pension plan. I own a home. I have a savings account. My company is none the worse for wear for providing these things. It's been Union for 50+ years, and hasn't gone out of business yet. So I don't have to go to WalMart to afford my GladWare.

These people are feeding the disease!! Why don't they get it???

Union Yes. WalMart - NO!

[shraby]

1. When people are at the bottom, Wal Mart

may be the only place they can afford to buy things they need. You're lucky but many are not. Don't disparage those who are less fortunate. They may have a minimum wage (or less) job and no health ins. or dental ins. or eye care.
Even in these circumstances, their children need school supplies, clothes for school, etc. Where are they supposed to shop? Not many alternatives that they can afford.
Show a little compassion, mmkay?

[kahleefornia]

3. I'm saying WalMart is the reason

they are less fortunate. These companies that take over and suck the life out of the economy is what is causing the problems. Shopping there - either by choice, or necessity, rewards them. I'm not saying "let them eat cake". I just wish more people could see what's happening.

[shraby]

9. They can probably see what's happening because

they are living it even more than you. Have you ever had to make the choice between buying gas or new shoes for the kidlets because their shoes have holes in the toes and the part where the shoe bends is cracked clear across. What happens is you put in the least amount of gas you can get by with and buy the kid's shoes at Walmart. Life has a funny way of jumping up and demanding it's own realities.

[kahleefornia]

10. I grew up that way

In Buffalo, NY, right after all the manufacturing jobs picked up and left. Respectfully, I think you don't understand what I'm saying.

[jedr]

2. Because they're dumb!

and the re-pubs figured out that there is enough of them to get re-elected....all you have to do is lie and they believe it... hold on tight, It's going to be a bumpy ride.... I wish you the best.

[shraby]

4. I wouldn't call them all dumb....

there are a lot who are Dems and down on their luck. You can't just lump everybody into two baskets. There are many shades in between as you'll find out with the gas prices going up and up and up.

[jedr]

13. you're right ,everyone has their own situation;

But this was not a jab at you personally..sorry to speak in such broad terms but, damn, you need too as to be able to converse with however-many thousand members are out there... it seems that every time I put up a post it seems to hurt someones feelings after 500+ post I'm beginning to see the circular firing squad that is mentioned often around here...yes ,I too shop for some items at Wal Mart; but that was not the "jest" of the main post. I'm sorry for your situation and do hope it improves.

[Tyranny_R_US]

5. I did see the report but I didnt record it if...

they re-air it I'll try to get it online.

[kahleefornia]

8. I think it was Kcal9

either the noon or 2pm broadcast.

[Tyranny_R_US]

12. Ah I thought you were talking about the ABC7 report

If I happen to catch it again tonight I'll try to get it online

[GOPisEvil]

6. How lower prices kill the economy.

Assume you own a company that makes widgets. They cost you a dollar to make, and you sell them to companies at $1.25 each.

Hooray, Wal-Mart calls, and they love your widget, but they'll only pay $1.20 each. No problem, their volume will make up for it.

A while later, Wal-Mart calls and says they've lowered prices, so now they are only going to pay $1.05 each for your widgets. So, you cut a few corners, lower the health benefits for your employees, keep positions unfilled to make ends meet.

More time passes and Wal-Mart calls and lowers their price again. Now, they're only paying $0.95 per widget. Now you're losing money. So, you decide to move the factory to Mexico where labor is cheap...

Repeat ad nauseum and see why we don't make anything in this country anymore.

[kahleefornia]

11. people lose jobs,

stop buying the widgets because they're too expensive...another sale...yes, this is exactly what I mean. REAL trickle down economics.

[nookiemonster]

7. You nailed it!

Coming from a fiercely pro-union family, and having an honorary withdrawal myself from IBEW, you are absolutely right.

I tire of the argument that people use to justify lower prices. Prices are lower because of the enormous amount of goods we import from places like China. They're lower because the manufacturing cost is next to shit because the workers make squat. Dealing with a country that has no labor laws is abhorrent and despicable.

If manufacturing jobs would stay over here, granted the corporation's bottom line wouldn't be as pretty, we could afford better, higher quality products.

Our wages could increase because our exports would increase. If you have a quality product, the world's your oyster.

Of course this approach is at odds with the Bush administration. If they had their way, labor and trades would be eliminated.