Home > Thinking Right > Archives > 2006 > July > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThey hate you, Wal-Mart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wal-Mart, they hate you. Go away. Get out of town. Die. Shocking but true. The left’s war on Wal-Mart is unrelenting. It’s the favorite whipping boy of unionists and their minions who despise the company because it declines to roll over for union organizers. And liberals despise it, in particular, because it builds “big-box” stores that they identify with, ugh, suburbia and SUVs and cul-de-sacs and “sprawl” and all the social ills — white flight, gas-guzzling commutes and cleared land — that freeways wrought. Joining them in sympathetic chorus is the business class of small-town America, a group that sees the retail giant as the hearse coming to bury them.
While Americans love success in football, baseball and other sports, many hate or begrudge it in business, especially in successful corporations and tough competitors that decline to be coerced, shaken down or otherwise rolled. Target: Wal-Mart.
First, Democratic legislators in Maryland passed a law, struck down by a federal judge in July, forcing Wal-Mart to pay 8 percent of payroll in medical benefits — or else pay a one-company tax to the state. Then last Wednesday, Chicago passed a city ordinance requiring retailers with more than $1 billion in sales and stores of at least 90,000 square feet to pay employees a “living wage” of $10 an hour by mid-2010. The company says it pays an average of almost $11 per hour at its Chicago area stores, and the least it will pay at the first in-town store to open there in September will be $7.25 per hour. Company officials are deciding how to respond.
American cities, the big ones anyway, often seem less about filling potholes than about pursuing agendas. San Francisco, Washington, Sante Fe and Albuquerque have also implemented “living wage” ordinances. (Of course, in Congress Democrats who see the minimum wage as the issue that will help them reclaim the House in November are in a quandry because the GOP brought forth and the House passed on Saturday legislation to raise the minimum wage to $7.25 over three years. The bill also reduces the death tax, which is now set to expire in 2010, before jumping back to 55 percent in 2011 unless Congress acts.)
At some point soon, courts, Congress and State Legislatures need to step in, as a federal district judge did in striking down the Maryland law, to stop local goverments from imposing social agendas on private companies. If city officials believe workers are entitled to a “living wage” of a sum it specifies, either it should pay the compensation from tax revenues, or grant the company tax credits sufficient to cover added costs. However it’s done, cities, counties and states should pay companies for the cost of complying with mandates that create local exceptions.
When govenrment acts without justification to single out law-abiding businesses with punitive laws, ordinances and regulations, all of us should take pause. A government that can turn on Wal-Mart can turn on us, too.
Comments
By lynn
July 31, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this
I hate shopping at Wal Mart — so I don’t shop there very often. Most of my friends are the same.
The real problem with Wal Mart is the empty buildings they leave behind as they expand and grow. Unlike locally grown Home Depot, which wants to own the buildings that they use for stores, Wal Mart specifically doesn’t. They want the flexibility to abandon space, by finishing or paying off a lease and move to another building often just down the road.
Wal Mart creates urban blight all over suburban America. There aren’t alot of businesses that need the square footage that WM does.
Wal Mart has, I have heard, the highest turnover of employees of any retail company in America. (For the record, Costco has the lowest.) Ironically, if they just treated their employees better, my friends and I (a very desireable demographic, by the way) would probably shop their more. (We all shop at Costco all the time.) The stores would be cleaner, the help would be more polite and the inventory would be in better shape if the employees actually took pride in their job.
By Rod
July 31, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
That’s right Jim, ignore the little guy as usual. I’ve personally seen the small towns when Wal-Mart comes in. People are excited for the assortment and low prices. Then, when half the stores in town have shut down and all the business people are either out of work or working for a low wage at Wal-Mart they realize that they indeed allowed the devil in their house.
Anyway you cut it - Wal-Mart destroys communities and families. Again, I know you’re to rich to understand (or care about) the average American.
By Richard
July 31, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this
I agree with Lynn about the buildings. All over the country they leave behind buildings when they move - most often next door!! It creates problems for communties as no one wants to move into the big building next to a Wal-Mart.
By Charlie
July 31, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this
Just see the movie “Wal-Mart: The high cost of low prices”, Jim. Maybe it will give you an idea of what people who don’t like Wal-Mart are talking about. Oh wait, you probably won’t see a left-wing propaganda movie like that. You probably refuse to see “Fahrenheit 911” because it’s just liberal crap, right? Anyway, I no longer set foot in Wal-Mart and I sure don’t miss it. They are the heartless, crooked thugs of the business world. The difference between Wal-Mart and Enron is Wal-Mart is craftier.
By Dana
July 31, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this
Why does it always have to be a left v right thing with you? Walmart is only successful for it’s top execs - not for it’s employees or it’s patrons. The stores are filthy, the left over buldings an eyesore and a general blight on the area they are in. I will drive past a Walmart to shop at a CLEAN Target. I won’t even get into how they treat their employees, or their total lack of care or concern for the communities they inhabit.
By Renee
July 31, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this
WAL-MART SUX!
By Mid-South Philosopher
July 31, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this
Good morning, Jim,
Without doubt, Wal-Mart has been the victim of unfair intervention by government in the recent actions you describe in your column. Likely, this is because Wal-Mart is the premier “corporatist” business in the United States today, and given the amount of profit the business earns, the nature of the treatment of its “associates” is often times shameful. All of that being true, as long as the “associates” will stand for it, who am I to complain?
I do not want the government interfering in my doctor’s office, my classroom (that’s a laugh), or in my bedroom…so why should I want them in Wal-Mart.
The fact of the matter is that I have a very effective way of dealing with Wal-Mart and what I believe is the mistreatment of their employees…I don’t patronize them. It will be a cold day in the Infernal Regions when they get one dime of my money. That I can control.
The sad part is that the vast numbers of people who patronize the business are those that are likely to be taken advantage of by the “corporatists.” Cheap goods at a central, convenient location constitute an attraction that the vast herd of humanity cannot resist.
By Robert
July 31, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
Jim, have you ever even been in a Wal-Mart? I seriously doubt as you’re driving your Hummer to Phipps Plaza that you even think about how the other half lives (real Americans). So, why would you pretend to show an interest now?
By Andy
July 31, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
The entitlement mentality is alive and well I see.
Walmart should not be considered anything more than a stepping stone to better employment conditions. If employees don’t find it to their liking, they are free to move on and try to do better for themselves. If Walmart can’t attract employees with their current pay and benefits, then the Free Market will force them to up the ante. I’m pretty sure Walmart is not forcing people to work there.
If employees and state legislatures start the process of forcing private business to pay a better wage, where does it stop? Why wouldn’t auto mechanics start feeling that $500,000 a year was a good “living wage” for their work?
An even better solution to this problem is for these vote buying legislatures to create enough jobs on Capital Hill to keep the whole world fat and happy. Maybe they could have 1 million man secretarial staffs or perhaps or a vast army of serfs to carry them from their luxurious offices out into the hicklands where they can bask in the glory of all of the other people’s money that they throw around.
By Van
July 31, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
Dana,
If Wal-Mart is so bad to their employees, why do they have no problem filling jobs?
While I am not a fan of Wal-Mart, I do not dislike it. I appreciate their stance against organization of the workers into unions, an archaic idea and concept.
What Wal-Mart does do is give me a choice between other big box stores, like Target, Costco, BJ’s and even Sam’s Club - I don’t always want 40 pounds of potato chips.
I personally think the problem with Wal-Mart, is people think it is where the poor shop and don’t want it in their neighborhoods. All the other hype is just that - hype.
Let find something that a lot of people like and demonize it.
By the sweet by and by
July 31, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this
The USA and Jesus and Walmart.
Test your lunatic fringe quotient here.
Many of us wonder where we fit spectrum. We know, for instance, that Hillary is left of center. Bush is far(out) right(on). Jim Wooten is right of center. Mckinney is a teenage mutant ninja turtle.
But what are we?
Test is 99.9999 percent accurate. Dont blow this.
Q1) Match the diety to the branch of government: “Jesus, His Father, HolyGhost” and “Executive, Legislative, and Supreme Court.”
A) Jesus is the Supreme court. His Father the executive branch. The holy ghost the Legislative…..B) and then we wonder why anyone gets crucified…C) His Father is all three and the other two were created when man first observed them, in a quantum leap of spiritual zeitgeist evolution that, if real, would learn from the passage of MAN which temporarily had sustained it. Our very spirits evolve, (if you think you have a spirit. you really do have to believe it to see it).
B). I used to get wood in English Class in Middle School whenever they conjugated verbs. I got spirit.
Question number 2):….. Jesus once whipped an entire holy strip mall………once…..because…..
a) He heard his first pope-on-a-rope joke. b) He saw his first Mohammed Cartoon. c) He realized that he was a man
Question number 3):… Bush’s claims of being born again sent him to the white house. Why? …. 1) We worship Jesus through others…. 2) The cleric you know is better than the cleric you dont know…. 3) WDYGFY has been copywrited by Cheney, and now the Saudis get a penny evertime you use it….. 4) Didn’t we all call for W’s resignation effective noon three days ago? What happened to that? I dont get it. Someone baptise a dangling Chad and let him be the highpriest……..ew.
Your score interprolated here:…. 1.) Oh, you’re lunatic fringe alright…. 2.) A good man’s got to know his own limitations…..3.) If you’ve read this far, the FBI has had enough time to be real time on your virtual life, Daddyo. We need our constitution back. We need it now, and I nominate Cynthia McKinney to be our commander in chief/president. I really think she can bring the constitution back to all americans.
“I like her. She fights”. (Lincoln at an AA meeting)
By Dana
July 31, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
Van,
While I can see your point, and agree with your union comment, Walmart DOES have a hard time keeping employees. Their turn over rate (and I appologize, I didn’t save the article so I cannot quote it) is higher than their competitors. Yes, their mistreated employees can find other jobs, and should, if they feel mistreated. However, in some communities, there are no other jobs. Once the smaller stored are run out of town, there is often no other choice for at least some of the employees.
I am not saying that I agree with legislating this, though there are some people in this country who do not have anyone to speak for them. I do it in my own way, I choose not to patronize a business that in my opinion is unethical.
And by the way, I worked for the Wal-Mart Corp years ago, I DO know how they treat their employees. I was lucky, I did find other work, put myself through school and can afford to shop eleswhere. Not everyone can.
By deegee
July 31, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this
I live within 15 miles of 2 Super Wal-Marts and they are planning to build 2 more in the same general area. A Super KMart went out of business some 3 years ago but apparently the vacant Super Kmart building was insufficient so Wal-Mart has been fighting residents of the community for the last 3 years in order to build their next Super Wal-Mart that is about ten miles from the existing Super Wal-Mart. How many of these eyesores do we need? What is so attractive about a store full of cheap junk that is priced accordingly? I could understand it if they were offering nice stuff at attractive prices but alot of what they stock on their shelves is substandard merchandise made just for Wal-Mart.
BTW, Wal-Mart tried to make a go of it in Europe but is selling off stores in Germany. They didn’t do very well in S Korea and pulled out of that market in May. Chinese Wal-Mart workers are forming a union.
By Rod
July 31, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this
Many of you are missing the point. You say if Wal-Mart is so bad to their employees, why do they work there. When Wal-Mart comes to a town (or area), they effectively shut down all competition. Therefore, the employees of the closed businesses must work at Wal-Mart as that’s their only viable option.
It’s easy to say “if you don’t like your job, get another one” - but again, that’s the opinion of the rich - but ignorant - people who don’t live the situation. Jobs for real Americans are harder to come by.
By Jim Wooten
July 31, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this
For the record,Rod, my Hummer is a 13-year-old Mazda. I was last in a Wal-Mart earlier this month and last at Phipps Plaza two years or more ago. I just drive and shop cheap, though, so that my millions can one day be taxed away at 55 percent.
If stores like Wal-Mart allow people, and especially the poor, to get more groceries or more merchandise that improves the quality of their lives for the same money, why is that not a good thing?
By Mark the Lib
July 31, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this
I’m not against Wal-Mart Jim and I will bet you that the majority of people you see shopping in Wal-Mart are Liberals, so don’t make that claim. The liberals you’re referring to are probably the extreme libs that feel the need to take a position on something. Most of us don’t care about Wal-Mart’s employee policies if we don’t work there.
Deegee, I don’t think Wal-Mart’s “cheap junk” is any worse than anyone else’s. Clothing maybe, but the rest of it can be found in any other store in America.
By Dana
July 31, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this
But ARE they doing that? When a business (or any entity) exploits the very individuals they claim to help? A few years ago Wal-Mart was discovered to be rather dishonest in their “Buy American” campaign. Does a business have to use sweatshop materials and deliberately mistreat employees in order to provide lower cost consumer goods to the average American? Why?
By Mark the Lib
July 31, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
I think it is a good thing that poor people have a cheap place to get goods. The new Wal-Mart on I-20 and Gresham in South Dekalb has been accepted with open arms by the local populace. I shop there myself and don’t consider it a blight on the neighborhood. If anything it enhanced the neighborhood somewhat. What people don’t like is when they build too close to their own homes.
By Van
July 31, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
Answer me this, When a Super Target goes into a neighborhood, why is there protests and law battles to keep it out? Taget is the store that forbids the Salvation Army a place to ring its bells during Christmas.
And I assume that when aSsuper Target is built, the smaller businesses do not go out of business.
Face it, there are some folks that feel the government, like Maryland and Chicago, should have control over private businesses, and I can tell you these are not conservatives.
First it was control over interstate commerce, then more regulations, then taxes and now it is a battle over how much I can pay my employees and what benefits I must give them. When the government have control over all business, I guess the next thing will be a five year plan on what crops peoples farm #4 will plant and tractor factory #13 will produce “x” number of units. Oh, wait a minute, that was already tried and failed.
By getalife
July 31, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
Jim,
The cost of living has gone way up but the GOP has consistently voted down an increase on the minumum wage along party lines. Of course, they also consistently give themselves a raise.
I have noticed something very sick about our friends on the right. After reading right wing blogs about the bombing of children in Beruit and the madness in Iraq, I saw something missing. They have no heart, no feeling of compassion for human suffering and no morals.
They are very selfish, scared little people and it is all about them and their safety. They will not sacrifice anything but are okay that children die as long as they are safe. These pathetic Americans will happily hand over all the freedoms the greatest generations have fought and died for as long as they think they are safe. It is pathetic.
By the sweet by and by
July 31, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this
“Why is that not a good thing?”
It’s not a good thing, Mr. Wooten because it threatens to centralize the distribution of food. I guess the Right doesn’t think we Americans are lined up in straight enough rows. The domino theory meets the trickle down theory. Now we’ve got (insert you’re best bit here……winner of “Find the funniest line here” will be published in this blog)
By Sheri
July 31, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this
Hey, don’t go lumping Target in with Wal-Mart. Last time I checked, nobody was suing Target for making their employees work off the clock. Plus, Target routinely tops Forbes annual list of America’s Most Philanthropic Companies, giving 2-3% of their annual income. Wal-Mart gives 1% or less.
Want a simple explanation of how Wal-Mart’s 97-cent shampoo is not a good thing? Try this:
http://www.jibjab.com/JokeBox/JokeBox_JJOrig.aspx?movieid=122
By deegee
July 31, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
Mark the Lib, I definately agree with you about the clothes. I will take exception with you about the rest of the stuff at Wal- Mart because I have had experience with it. The PC that I now use I bought at Wal-Mart because it appeared to be a good value. The manufacturer loaded it up with so much junk that it performed worse than the old Pentium II that I was replacing. Fortunately I could FDisk it and rebuild it from scratch. I bought a name brand cordless phone from Wal-Mart that wouldn’t hold a charge after approximately one year of usage. I am done with electronics at Wal-Mart. I have even bought tennis balls at Wal-Mart that were defective. I am a bargain shopper but there is no value in buying twice due to the fact that what you are buying is so poorly manufactured.
By getalife
July 31, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Walmart is a good thing.
For communist China and their cheap goods.
I appluad local governments demanding a living wage.
Lord knows, the pathetic pinko GOP will do nothing for the people.
Corporate whores.
By time for the truth
July 31, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Walmart plays a vital role in US society, if nothing else it is where Rednecks does its food stamp food/clothes/footwear shopping. Note I didn’t mention personal hygeine as that would be an absurd notion.
However Wal-Mart is not a perfect place to work although I like the fact its anti-union. Unions in the USA are usually corrupt and dominated by leftist thugs who intimidate everyone who rejects the notion of the ‘closed shop’.
Several years ago I talked to an assistant manager about what working for Wal-Mart was like, he told me to guess how many weeks of paid vacation he had in his first year. The answer was the same as the number of honest answers ever given by a corrupt Clinton about their corruption - ZERO!! Wal-mart certainly exploit many of their employees. Yes they have a choice to not work there, but often in small town America there isn’t much of a choice.
Wal-mart shop managers get paid at least six figure sums, including a small annual (percentage based) bonus, based on the turnover/profitability of their shop. Some local Wal-Mart employees tell me that their health benefits are not very good, because they’re either paying for about a third of them out of their own pockets, or not even getting any if they’re part timers. Again the issue of who pays for health benefits is a dodgy one in the US. Should employers pay, all of it - or not? And what should the balance be nationally? Walmart is at the low end of retailers for health insurance contributions.
I talked to providers of Wal-Mart when I looked into opening a shop locally a while back and several told me they wont ever sell to WalMart becasue they squeeze the margins to the point it makes no sense for them to supply them. Obviously many companies do - but a great deal dont, often products appear for a while and then quietly disappear. Perhap some new products are launched at Walmart and then sold at more profitable outlets. Supermarkets usually have small profit margins, but comparing the WalMart price to the likes of Publix for the same brand item is a no brainer.
From the average shoppers point of view Walmart is great, its often a one stop place for at least the weekly food basics and toiletries, although Walmart is very limited in its range of more ‘upmarket’ stuff, especially food.
Walmart’s supply chains are often poorly managed and various items often disappear for months on end. A great deal of what they sell comes from Red China - a deliberate policy which is at least a little unsettling.
As Walmart is not targeted at the typical Publix shopper - I use both shops - and is clearly down market in much of its offerings I guess you pays your money and takes your choice. Both as a worker and a shopper. But compared with UK supermarkets Walmart, Publix and Ingles etc are a sad and sick joke, especially in terms of the range/quality/price of food products. Walmart bought ASDA - a big UK chain a few years ago, but very sensibly dont run it like a Walmart.
By Gustof
July 31, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this
When I was a kid, I got lost during a “Blue Light Special”. I tried to get someone’s attention but was soon covered in wax shirts.
. That’s why I think we should veto The Walmart Amendment, because people dont act themselves right-like when they goes shoppin no mo.
By On the fence
July 31, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
One concern I have not seen in the previous blogs- what happens when Walmart goes the way of Enron- something internal happens to shut down the biz- it will creat a huge vacuum in our economy. They monopolize a huge part of buying- wether it be imported goods or domestic goods. Does anyone know how much of their inventory is American made? Can this be controlled fairly?
By Mark the Lib
July 31, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this
TFTT, thanks for the morning laugh from your first paragraph. That was pretty funny. The Clinton thing, substitute it for Bush and it would be even more accurate.
By time for the truth
July 31, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
getatinybrain …
The ‘civilians’ killed in IAF raids on legitimate targets, targets that have been warned repeatedly, even by leaflet drops and computer generated phone calls are of course unfortunate. But the hizbollocks scum persistently deliberately HIDE their terrorists and weaponry amongst civilians, knowing that the IDF have to make the choice to fire or not on such targets. Arabs have a long cowardly history of doing this.
As ever your usual hysterical leftist lies on this subject make smirk inducing reading. I assume you’be seen some of the photos taken very recently by an aussie photographer that show civilians sitting on large Hizbollocks anti-aircraft guns in S. Beirut. Its just one evil example of how low arab terrorists sink in their war agianst Jews/West. The PLO thugs used to mount large canons on Lebanese hospital balconies and dare the IDF to fire BACK at them!! That was well over 20 years ago.
Your phony concern is quite repugnant mate. But unsurprising. Perhaps if the far left actually pressured the virulently anti-semitic Hizbollocks, Syria and Iran into behaving in a civilised peaceful way none of this would be happening. Yet again you smugly seem to forget just who started this!!
By Van
July 31, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
Sheri,
Yes, JibJab is funny, but not a good factual base.
My jab at Target, is valid, it appears only Wal-Mart drives out local businesses while Super Targets don’t.
In the small town I live in, we have down SR 124, a Sam’s Club, a Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s and plenty of strip commercial and small businesses. It appears that the big draw of Sam Walton’s stores means increased traffic for other small businesses. Hmm, that can’t be right, the left said it is the other way around.
By where are the cashiers?
July 31, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
The biggest problem that I have with shopping at Wal Mart is the lack of cashiers. Why build 65 checkout lanes if the most you will ever have open is 10? Replace them with you scan lanes. I cannot believe they truly created the number of jobs they claim to when opening a new location
I also have a problem with them abandoning stores as they move into larger locations, and the accusations of eminent(sp?)domain to obtain land. That being said, I do save money when I shop there, and they carry grocery items that I cannot get elsewhere.
By Gustof
July 31, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
Good point, Onthefence, the food inventory has a half(shelf)-life of 50 thousand years cause of all the ionized chemical plasma they put in the hot dogs, man.
SO I’d say the fresh food inventory is only one week, cause after that, throw out whatever it is you bought. Bacteria is the enemy. Dont give it time. Only buy what you need for one week or a half a week, or ten minutes if you’re my wife.
I hate the grocery store. I mean, all those tricks management plays on you to get you buy something. Who invented that portable tsunami machine that sprays the produce? And those loud sound effects of thunder to warn shoppers to take cover? There’s not enough time. I’ve already had two fake rolex’s rusted completely out. There’s spots on my lucky leather jacket, (I’ve been pinched twice wearing it in only twenty five years).
This is the very reason I always RUN quickly past the Depends Display. When you hear a loudnoise in that aisle, That’s not thunder, baby!.
By time for the truth
July 31, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Mark
But Bush is NOT personally corrupt, not like the Clintons were/are…
Rape, sexual harassment, stealing W House furniture, travelgate nepotism, lying about missing billing records, perjury, disbarrment, pardon selling to felons, abusing the IRS for audits, illegal REPAID fund raising from red china etc, sleazy cattle futures slush fund, the huge AK library slush fund … this list is only a partial one.
By Think Tank Timmy
July 31, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
TFTT’s comment needs spin: He saying that it’s alright to fire from Israel, but not alright to fire from Lebanon. I’m sorry, that’s in violation of Roberts Rules of Order (page 37): No splitting inflectives.
This blogger has skill with sentence construction, but there’s no foreman editing his logic, which is always circular, and the reader becomes the dog chasing his tail……..ew.
By time for the truth
July 31, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
Walmart cashiers … my local Walmart tells me - about the same problem - they cant recruit and retain sufficient staff!!
Quite often many of them call in sick apparently!!
By Dana
July 31, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this
None of us here really lives in a small town - we are all Metro Atlanta. Go up to some of the towns in N GA, and you will see exactly what Walmart is known for.
All the big-box stores have issues. However, Walmart is the worst. I live equidistant between a regular Target and a Super Walmart. I can drive past the Super Walmart to get to the Super Target. I also get to drive past the empty Super Walmart that was abandoned less than 5 miles from it’s current location. Kudos to any community who manages to keep the blight of Walmart from their town.
Good day all, I like my job so I am getting back to it!
By time for the truth
July 31, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this
Time to at least try and think for once Tommy
No one, least of all me, is saying that ONLY Israel has the right to fire - you utterly dishonest/distorting fool!!
But the obvious CONSEQUENCES when the IDF fire BACK at arab terrorists who frequently hide amongst women and kids must be accepted by the terrorists!! and not disgustingly used by the leftist media and arab nazi types against the Israelis who are simply defending themselves from arab terrorism!!
By jackc
July 31, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this
Interesting that a judge overturning this ordinance is not “activist”, while one that overturns other government agendas is.
Hmmm…guess it all depends on whether you agree with the particular agenda.
By Mark the Lib
July 31, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
TFTT, then why isn’t he in jail? Probably because none it was/can be proven. Who got raped, sexual harassed, stole furniture etc? The perjury charge and the pardoning of Mark Rich, I’ll agree with you on those since it was documented with witnesses. Everything else is rhetoric. But no matter what Clinton might have done, none of it trumps the Iraq fiasco. None of it trumps the secret energy policy being set by Cheney and his goons from the industry. Those things effect all Americans. Clinton’s misgivings, if true didn’t effect anyone but a few who were involved.
By JK
July 31, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this
The mass corporatization of America is ruining not only our landscape, but the tradtional spirit of individuality, ingenuity, and self-sufficiency that once defined our nation and propelled us to economic success. Drive through any suburb or small town and you’ll see the exact same things you see everywhere else. Big franchises not only squeeze out the entreprenurial dreams of the aspiring small businessman, they’re making us mentally lazy while marketing executives decide what we’ll want to buy next year. We’ve come to think that buying more is better, even if it’s cheap crap that falls apart in a year (hence we return to buy more cheap crap), or cheap, unhealthy food that has us running back for more (Spurlock’s “Supersize Me” explains the deliberate, addictive qualitites of fast food — see it!), and now we are all dependent on (as Sweet by and by pointed out) centralized food distribution, which could be disastrous in troubled times. “Quality” is only a marketing term now. Where are the localized economies that foster the growth, strength, and ingenuity of individual communities? They’re lost to the primary interests of the major stockholders of multi-national conglomerates. Just like our government, “free trade” is controlled by big money and belongs to fewer and fewer of the people.
By Brandi
July 31, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this
O my I never knew people hated WalMart so much. Well I shop at WalMart sometimes but it is in the middle of the night when I am not having to fight people to move out the way. As big as the stores are I thought that everyone in such a small town would all be at WalMart at the same time. As far as how they treat their employee’s well I think that is everywhere now days. It is hard to find a good job.
By Mark the Lib
July 31, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this
Deegee, because the brand name phone you bought broke is Wal-Mart’s fault? What if you bought the same brand name phone at Macy’s, would it be Macy’s fault? Wal-Mart doesn’t manufacture things so I won’t blame them when something fails. Besides, their profits are so ridiculous that they can accept returns no matter what. Try that with a mom and pop operation.
Computers, I would never buy a computer from Walmart or any other retail store, I build my own. For those who have to, well that’s a risk they have to take.
By Producer
July 31, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this
I am so glad to see the class warfare drones opining today! Facts are facts. Life is about choices. So, quit blathering on and on about “living wages” “working folks” and all this other crap that non-achievers use to justfy their failures in life. Get off your butt, get more education, use some initiative and make your own life better and stop being potential burdens on productive taxpayers.
And quit whining about Walmart not paying their employees enough for a “family of four.” If you work at Walmart and that is your primary source of income, you have NO BUSINESS having one child, much less two.
And “sweatshop labor?” Give me a break! By getting their goods from overseas they are able to deliver products to Americans for cheaper prices. If the American labor market hadn’t priced themselves out of the market we wouldn’t need to go overseas in the first place. You can thank the unions for this. When people who work on an assembly line make $50 an hour for essentially unskilled labor, now that’s a joke.
Look at GM and Ford. They are almost bankrupt because of the overpriced union contracts that make these companies pay for huge retirement salaries and benefits for workers who are no longer producing anything for the company. That is insane! I read over the weekend that 60% of the federal budget is paid out for this type of situation, so it’s not just a Walmart or GM thing. It’s government, too.
So, quit crying about how poor you are and get out and do something about it. Use the Hope Scholarship and learn a trade at a techincal school. Imagine that!
Nobody owes you anything in this world.
By Curious Observer
July 31, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this
Forget the minimum wage and other labor issues for a moment, along with the urban blight created by empty WalMart store buildings. My gripe with WalMart is that it is a prime distributor of sweatshop Chinese goods that undercut American manufacturers and thus destroy our job base and eventually our standard of living. It also runs small retail stores out of business anywhere it sets up a store. Our children will be paying the price of our short-sighted emphasis on the lowest price for consumer goods regardless of more substantial social and economic factors. And don’t even get me started on WalMart’s practice of dumping the health care costs of its associates on the public. Any other company of WalMart’s size would offer adequate health insurance plans to its employees. Instead, while a few Walton billionaires rake in the money, we taxpayers are left to pay the cost of medical care of too many “associates.”
By time for the truth
July 31, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this
Mark
Clinton aint in jail because Bush wont push the pardon investigation or the illegal red china/bhuddist temple etc campaign funding. The DoJ is sitting on the investigations. The rape was committed when he was AG of AK, and Juanita had NO ONE in authority to turn to. The AG in AK also has authority over nursing homes, which she was running at that time. The rape in the UK occured when sick willie was at Oxford. Funny how when he began running in 92 the state dept file on this matter magically disappeared and has never been seen again. sick willie left the UK very speedily after the rape allegation, which the woman apparently wouldn’t pursue if he left the country. they handed back the stolen W House items.
your attempt at moral/political equivalency is not very credible. Iraq has NOTHING to do with the kind of vile personal behaviour of the clintons. Woger Clinton said on an FBI tape that his brother had a nose (for cocaine) like a vacuum cleaner … he didn’t know he was being taped at that point!! travel gate imposed clinton kin at the expense of very long standing employees - sleazy if nothing else. shrillary lied about the missing billing records which just appeared magically one day.
unfortunately in the USA the very powerful tend to look after each other … and Bush has no spine in this matter. otherwise the DoJ file would be finished and action of some sort would have happened by now … 5 + years later!!!
By oddman
July 31, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
Nice to know you’re all experts on the working conditions of Walmart vs. the rest of the mass merchandise retailers out there.
Walmart’s pay is better than most entry level retail jobs and there benefits are about as good as their competitors. I don’t hear anyone screaming about McDonalds or Burger King. They have higher turnover, lower pay and similar working conditions. Or, anyone want to discuss the working conditions of day labor, or even farmers???
No? Picking on Walmart is fashionable, but often uniformed.
That being said. I will not shop there for their neagtive impact on the local economies and their suppliers. Sure, the low prices are great, but where do the products come from? Local suppliers? No. Do they use their size to minimize local competition? Yes. Do they leave vast empty buildings as they move on? Yes.
Do you know they actually OWN the majority of their property, they do. They are one of the largest commercial property owners in the US. They leave for new sites often in five years, leaving behind a bunch of local stores tied to a 10 year lease in the old center, now without an anchor. And, that’s a major impact to the small retailer trying to survive…
Sure, bash them all you want. I’ll join you in it. But, if you only heard something from your best friend’s cousin’s wife’s great aunt who saw something on the internet, please be quiet.
BTW, their European problems were due mainly to the local laws of the various countries not being condusive to WalMart’s pricing and labor stratigies.
By ViVi
July 31, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this
To Producer: I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU!!! Right on!!
By getalife
July 31, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
time for the lies,
In case you have not noticed, the murdering of innocent children in Lebanon has been plastered all over the muslim worlds television sets. They are enraged.
If you think W’s middle east policies have made you safer, you are a fool. The US and Israel will not see peace for a very long time.
By Watta Load
July 31, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this
So Jim doesn’t believe that governments should impose social agendas on private companies. Personally, I agree…
But who was that republican in the Georgia General Assembly that wanted to prevent the Bank of America from doing business in Georgia? It seems that BOA believes in it’s own discrimination policy and unfortunately had to stop giving charitable funding to a Valdosta boy scouts troop as the boys scouts does discriminate based on sexual orientation. The issue has been resolved without government interference, but I believe it was perhaps Glen Richardson? or some conservative that felt his social views merited punishing a private company. I’m sure Jim will say this would be justified somehow…but is it any different then sticking it to Wal-Mart…Jim?
By Lynn C
July 31, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this
Huh? No one mentions anything about the billion + dollar stores scattered everywhere. What’s up with that? They sell worse junk and locate on every corner. At least Wal-Mart puts all their junk in one building.
By CommonSense
July 31, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
How about using just a little common sense:
1) If you don’t like Walmart, don’t shop there. If you think you can do a better job, go get your business license and start yournamehereMart. Capitalism may at times be ruthless, but it sure beats whatever is in second place.
2) If you think Walmart should have more American made products, why don’t you buy American made products? Do you think Walmart stocks what doesn’t sell? If you have the choice of a shirt made in the USA priced at $25.00 or a virtually identical shirt made in China for $15.00 which do you buy? Consumers make the ultimate choices, not Walmart.
3) Why should Walmart give any of their profits to charity? Walmart is not a person. It is a corporation owned by hundreds of thousands of shareholders and the profit belongs to those shareholders. Should a shareholder give to charity? I say yes but that is MY moral decision that I make with MY money, not someone else’s money. I love the way leftists are always trying so hard to give away someone ELSE’s money…
3) If a “living wage” was logical, why not mandate a minimum of $1,000,000 per year for all workers? If you have a family and are working at Walmart for minimum wage you probably have made personal decisions about education and job training that limit your opportunity. If you have no education and no marketable skills why should Walmart or any other employer be forced to pay you above what you are worth as an employee? The last time you had your car repaired did you pay the mechanic more money because he might have a large family?
How about we Americans re-claim our sense of personal responsibility. If you want to strengthen American businesses, buy American products. If you want to make more money, how about struggling to better your education to make yourself more desirable in the workplace. (My wife went from minimum wage to professional wages by going to college nights for years so that she could better support her family when she was a single mom…don’t say it can’t be done.)
By Kristen
July 31, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
I didn’t read the second half of the comments posted because I didn’t want to forget to say this.
For those of you that keep asking why WalMart is able to find people to fill their open positions is this: They Hire Anyone. You know that salesperson you hate because they don’t know ANYTHING? They hire those people. They hire just-out-of-school, retired, disabled, etc etc. They hire anyone, whether they should be in that position or not. The reason the folks GO to WalMart to find a job is because they know that is true! For some folks it really IS hard to find a job. It’s sort of like … “Where should I work, McDonalds or WalMart”. The logical choice would be WalMart, for many reasons.
So, WalMart pulls them in with their fancy words and then later the employee realizes what a great or not so great company WalMart is to work for.
I don’t shop there very often only because it’s so far from me but I would if it were closer. I live near Avondale right now and have been involved in the Avondale Estates WalMart “petitioning” going on. I’d like to have a WalMart there, I just don’t want it to become the eyesore that the old Avondal Mall has become. Why shouldn’t residents (all of us!) be able to have what WE WANT instead of what WalMart wants? A pretty parking lot, a pretty building, not an EyeSORE. It isn’t too much to ask. You just have to stick to your guns until WalMart gives in or moves on.
By getalife
July 31, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this
Producer,
Nobody owes you anything in this world.
You are correct. We should cut Iraqi welfare and get out of the “suk”.
By time for the truth
July 31, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
getatinybrain
I have noticed the usual nazi like propaganda on arab TV … funny how they could care less about jewish/israeli kids and gloat about terrorist outrages … the Israelis dont gloat about (innocent) victims of war the way arabs do!!
you seem to forget about the huge number of victims of arab terrorism over nearly 40 years now!!
arabs are far more racist than the Israelis ever could be … just look at the tone of the coverage and the sick/twisted way they frame it and endlessly repeat it - with their inflammatory rhetoric etc.
taking on the expansionary mohammedan fascists is the ONLY thing to do for the peace of the world long term - but the appeasers on the left, just like in the 1930’s wont/cant see it!!
By deegee
July 31, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
Mark the Lib, Wal-Mart buys products from vendors that manufacture a specific model for resale at Wal-Mart. The manufacturer may, for example, buy a huge lot of inexpensive batteries that are known to have a short shelf life and then use the batteries in the manufacture of a phone that they will sell to Wal-Mart for a few price points below that of comparable phones. The consumer perceives that they are getting a bargain because they are getting a name brand phone with features they want and Wal-Mart maintains its “lowest price” guarantee. Yes, it’s buyer beware but my experience is that you can avoid some of the pitfalls by shopping elsewhere.
By Cammi
July 31, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
I would like to thank everyone for the morning chuckles. Who knew a blog about Wal-Mart could be so entertaining…
By getalife
July 31, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
time is a fool,
taking on the expansionary mohammedan fascists is the ONLY thing to do for the peace of the world long term
Tell me how you take on people who will strap a bomb on their backs and blow themselves up for their cause? Will you do such a thing to fight these people?
By Whit
July 31, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
Jim,
Wal-Mart is successful for three major reasons: 1. The cut-throat legacy provided by Sam Walton. 2. The major hub airport in the middle of nowhere, railroaded through the FAA (with support from the finger wagger), allowing a fleet of 747’s to land regularly. 3. Support to, and benefiting from, the Communist Chinese government.
I’m glad at least a few responses mentioned the Chinese connection. Don’t overlook the fact that many of us try our best to buy reasonably priced products from the USA or countries that are at least trying to be democracies.
There will never be a member from either side of the aisle, or any major corporation (certainly not Microsoft, Google and Yahoo), that will grow the necessary appendages in order to stand up against this “evil empire.” There is simply too much money at stake.
I choose not to support the burning of Christian churches, forced partial birth abortion, and all of the other egregious human rights violations taking place hourly in every region of the country. And don’t for a minute think that turning over a major percentage of our gross GNP will precipitate a fall such as witnessed with the former Soviet Union. Go ahead, send your hard earned money to the Chinese government.
My government and my political party will do nothing. Choosing to not shop Wal-Mart is the only option I have.
I have true and honest sympathy for the Chinese poor. In the long term however, the best support we can give them is not indentured labor, but support that will allow them to have a voice in their future and the future of their children. As a conservative you should realize this first, as it is a far better use of your time.
By time for the truth
July 31, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
geta tinybrain
you “take them on” by stopping the poisonous brainwashing at all levels of arab society, particularly of the young kids - at least 2/3 generations have grown up with a festering hatred of jews/the west and that’s where much of the terrorism comes from. … watch the new documentary OBSESSION about mohammedan facists - there’s an arab lady spokeswoman for the documentary and many others who understands the huge problem and how to address it. democracy, even arab (not literally western) style would help, arab propaganda against jews is literally NO different to the nazis. that’s a fact - not rhetoric either!!
you also bomb/kill the terrorists wherever they and their camps/safe houses are -offering genuine amnesty to those who genuinely renounce violence etc … at the moment the west is sadly still pussyfooting around!!
By Mark the Lib
July 31, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
TTFT, like I said, it sounds like rhetoric. If he’s not in jail for all of that, then it’s probably not true. We’ll agree to disagree on who’s more corrupt, Clinton or Bush.
Back to Wal-Mart.
Going there after I get off work today. Any haters want me to give the managers a message?
By deegee
July 31, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
Amnesty for repentant terrorists, Yeah!!
Amnesty for undocumented bricklayers, Boooo!!!
By JK
July 31, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
Whit, nicely put! Also, re: the Chinese, they are creating monstrous amounts of industrial pollution. The water is filthy and glowing, and the air is downright gritty. There are no “tree-huggers” there to argue either the environmental or quality-of-life issues with the oppressive regime. And as always, the toxins make their way beyond the borders. That’s no good for anyone, yet somehow Amerians think all the cheap crap we can buy is worth it.
By Marie
July 31, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
Jim, you need to do your research if you think that Wal-Mart is a law abiding business. Do you even listen to the news or read newspapers?
By time for the truth
July 31, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this
it sounds like rhetoric.
NOT HARDLY mate .. I was very specific … you just wont accept any of it given your politics. you’ve given me NO examples at all of personal/sleazy Bush corruption - just the usual political leftist opposition to Bush.
amnesty was the wrong word to use - I was typing very quickly and should have used conciliation … not amnesty. terrorists should never be given amnesty -nor should illegal bricklayers or their craven leftist apologists!!
By E. Lewis
July 31, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
It’s the hypocrisy of Wal-Mart that I can’t stand.
It’s being one of the world’s wealthiest companies yet vs. paying some of the lowest wages.
It’s claiming to be all-America vs. all those made in China, Vietnam, etc. products they sell.
It’s the company that doesn’t sell certain CD’s or books because they might be offensive, but will sell guns and bullets.
It’s the big $$$ corporation getting all sorts of tax breaks and taxpayer funded projects vs. putting more employees and their children on taxpayer funded programs such as welfare, Medicaid than any other company.
It’s the corporation claiming to create jobs vs. putting local companies out of business and within 5 years of moving into a market showing no net increase in jobs or tax revenue.
If Wal-Mart wants to claim that they are a corporation in the business of coming out on top and using whichever means it can to do so, that I can understand. I just don’t see Wal-Mart executive dropping the flag, bible and cherubic baby it’s holding in order to do that.
By RWH
July 31, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this
Wal-Mart has a long and untimely future. No matter what anyone say. Yes, it leaves empty buildings by expanding. To many, it is a sore eye and it brings negativity to a community. Guess what, those same empty building are claimed on the Wal-marts taxes each year and they make it their business to using it for a tax shelter. Good business on their behalf, yet, it leave a community stuck with eye-sore property as well.
By Michael
July 31, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this
Jim, as you can see, you might as well have tried to explain quantum physics to chimpanzees. Your success rate would have been about the same. These people just don’t understand capitalism and why Wal-Mart is one of the best things to ever happen to America. And they never will.
By deegee
July 31, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this
Conciliation for repentant terrorists, Yeah!!!
Conciliation for undocumented bricklayers, Boooo!!!
By getalife
July 31, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
Time is no fool afterall,
I thought you were going to say something silly like genocide.
Two things you should ask during conflicts how and why.
You nailed it here: genuinely renounce violence
I believe you must get the clerics, ministers, preachers, etc… to unite and “renounce violence” and promote peace now and for future generations.
By Dana
July 31, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
Ahem.
There is more to life, and to QUALITY of life, than money. And we chimpanzees may well understand Quantum physics better than you do, Michael. Can we not disagree without bashing? We don’t like Walmart. We don’t shop there. We have valid reasons for not liking them. That doesn’t mean we do not understand, and in many ways, agree with and support capitalism! Perhaps some of us feel that there should be a balance. Capitalism at it’s best provides opportunity and competition, not demolition.
By Mark the Lib
July 31, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
How did the Wal-Mart Blog degenerate into the Isreali-Hezbollah blog?
By bud
July 31, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
The goal of a corporation is to maximize the wealth of the shareholders. Wal-Mart does this by offering a wide array of goods and services at a low cost under one roof.
What’s the problem?
If their competitors are displaced by Wal-Mart, then these workers must do something else for a living. When a struggling corporation lays off 1/3 or 1/2 of its workers, it lowers its labor costs and the remaining people do more work, which boosts productivity. Plus, the laid off workers provide liquidity to the labor market and help other business owners fill their staffing needs. Like pruning a plant, removing the sucker vines allows the plant to devote more of its energy to the fruit instead of the vine. So too for corporations.
The workers tend to live beyond their means anyway…they fail to save anything and live paycheck-to-paycheck buying a great deal of crap. When the economy goes south, they don’t have anything set aside. Whose fault is that, Wal-Mart’s???
The days of staying with the firm for 30 years and retiring with a gold watch at the retirement party are long gone. If you want greater wealth and steady employment, you must work hard, train yourself constantly and save as much as you can. Investing in a mutual fund that has shares in Wal-Mart wouldn’t hurt either.
By J
July 31, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
Ok let’s see, I have to pay: mortgage, car(used-no lexus here),car insurance,electric, natural gas, water, food, phone, cell phone(must have for work),Outrageous GAS PRICES, clothing and shoes for my 2 kids, school supplies, toiletries, etc. I can’t change the economy. I can’t change prices on necessities. It’s either save $30 on necessities at Walmart, or spend the extra $30 at a mom and pop store that needs to go towards electric bill instead, or I get my power turned off. If I can save money, I will go to the cheapest place I can and I don’t apologize for that. Why is no one complaining about the Dollar Tree? It’s either save money and cut back somewhere, or live in a cave. That’s just the way it is. And no, I never spend on frivolousness. The last time I went clothes shopping for myself was a good long while ago, because I have BILLS TO PAY.
By deegee
July 31, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
Michael, why don’t you take a stab at explaining quantum physics to us chimpanzees by letting us in on why Wal-Mart is one of the best things that ever happened to America? Is it better than the invention of the transistor, the NASA space program or does it fall just below them? Is it better than federally insured savings and loans? Tell this capitalist how the quality of my life in the USA has been raised by the existence of Wal-Mart. Aside from their sophisticated use of technology in supply chain distribution what have they really contributed?
By getalife
July 31, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
It was my fault Mark the Lib.
May I have amnesty, I repented.
E. Lewis puts forth a good argument.
Maybe Michael can enlighten us on how Wal-Mart is good for the country.
By deegee
July 31, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Michael, why don’t you take a stab at explaining quantum physics to us chimpanzees by letting us in on why Wal-Mart is one of the best things that ever happened to America? Is it better than the invention of the transistor, the NASA space program or does it fall just below them? Is it better than federally insured savings and loans? Tell this capitalist how the quality of my life in the USA has been raised by the existence of Wal-Mart. Aside from their sophisticated use of technology in supply chain distribution what have they really contributed?
By Brian Curtis
July 31, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this
In the long run, Wal-Mart’s “low prices” are too expensive to the communities they operate in.
But most people can only see the short term, so Wal-Mart gets away with destroying local competition and draining local economies before moving on to the next victim.
By Tuckerite
July 31, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
Jim, I urge you to read up on the massive 2004 anti-discrimination lawsuit known as Dukes vs. Walmart Stores, Inc. This lawsuit represents 1.6 million past and present women employees. I’d say that’s a pretty big number of disgruntled current and former employees.
Despite the fact that the Wal-Mart workforce is 70 percent female, it pays its women employees up to 15 percent less than men in some cases. Wal-Mart rarely hires women in upper management positions and when they try, they are blocked or not even told about the positions available. Instead, they often hire young men with hardly any experience, if any.
And how does Wal-Mart affect our own Georgia economy? There are more Wal-Mart workers who have kids on PeachCare than you can shake a stick at. That’s how it affects us, Jim. That’s how Wal-Mart takes care of its “valued” associates.
I don’t care if other people shop at Wal-Mart. That’s their business. And I understand why low-income families do. But I refuse to step foot inside of one ever again.
By Markus
July 31, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this
Well it appears the kook fringe socialist left is at their usual suspect ways. The whining about wages and minimum wages; the whining about manufactured goods overseas.
Of course, liberals think the government should step in and tell Wal Mart how much to pay it’s employees (that’s a form of facsism… and liberals say right-wingers are fascists… HAH!). I’ll tell you one thing, if I were in charge of a company and a city like Chicago told me how much I am to pay my employees, I’d close up shop faster than a taco cart on Buford Highway. “Ok Chicago political hack clowns, you want to tell ME what to do in my company? Fine. I’ll just pack the hell up and LEAVE. You’ll get NOTHING and like it and you’ll have unemployed people at YOUR feet!”
The problem here, and we already addressed this on the minimum wage debate, is that liberals have no clue of how the free market and capitalism works. The vast majority of minimum wage earners work part time, not full time, and the vast majority are single and unmarried and under 25, not 40 and married with 2 kids. Nobody seemed to be complaining about making $3.35/hr back in the mid-80s when I got my first PT job in high school. You are paid what your job and your skills are WORTH based on your ease of replacement (means your VALUE to the company). PERIOD.
And what’s this “living wage” horse snot? There are countless above-minimum wage jobs in this nation that any able-bodied person can handle. Look in the AJC jobs section: warehousing; drivers; customer service. If you are over 30, able-bodied, and able-minded, there is no excuse to be working in a minimum wage job as a primary source of income (keyword: PRIMARY). It is not society’s fault someone doesn’t have the drive to get off their butts and better themselves… one has to help oneself before others can. Individual personal responsibility does not compute in a liberal’s mind. We are becoming a nation of wussies who whine about everything, and liberalism has a lot to do with it.
Then we have the complainers about taking “mom & pop” shops away. Actually there are still plenty of those around all over metro Atlanta. Most, however, have turned into specialty stores instead of the old corner drug store that sold everything. When something better or a better idea comes along, it’s called economic evolution: we no longer need horse carriage manufacturers; we no longer need typewriter repairers. You either change and adapt or you get left behind. That’s LIFE.
Finally, socialist liberals should be thankful that Wal Mart delivers goods to the “working class” (as if white collar workers don’t WORK) and the “poor” (that they love to put on a pedistal during election cycles) for such low cost. But no, liberals have to complain like they always do. Liberals are always b!tching about something.. that’s why they are NEVER happy. Their struggle to find Utopia is never ending.
Ok, fine liberals. Shove your socio-economic fascism down Wal Mart’s throat and other stores. Make them pay $10, $15, hell… TWENTY dollars an hour with full paid benefits, family leave, etc. etc. When Wal Mart and others jack up the costs of their goods at the consumer level, you liberals will be the first ones saying they are hurting the “poor.”
“Fire, ready, aim!” - how liberals develop their emotionally-driven ideas.
By SamX
July 31, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this
Michael, after our quantum physics lesson could you teach us dumb souls another lesson?
Why is it ok for American companies like Wal-Mart to help turn communist China into an economic powerhouse but but at the same time not allow trade with Cuba? Cuba is going to get rich selling their oil to China.
And what ever happened to the Red scare anyway? Are Republicans now the pinko’s?
By Harold
July 31, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this
Harold says baseball and football are business. Those are the mose useless and boring “sports” on the face of the planet. Baseball football and WalMart should all be abolished. The problem with WalMarts is there’s always two of them- The open one and the shut down unoccupied one that WalMart won’t allow anybody else to use. The empties are a