03-11-2007, 11:41 AM
Tahunatic is right about the extensive implications of Wal-Mart and the way they do business on a community. But there are even larger issues that make Wal-Mart a threat on a much larger, world scale. There is a really good documentary about the effect that they are having on America's manufacturers. They force companies to relocate to China in order to meet Wal-Mart's demands for prices they will pay to the manufacturers of goods. They are the first company to set prices for their vendors rather than vice versa. Of course, all this contributes hugely to the trade deficit. It is changing the face of America and the middle class is hard hit. Factory work used to be a good living for a person with a high school education--thanks to Unions. Now those jobs are done by Chinese workers who are paid a pittance and/or children in China and other countries. The Chinese government also subsidizes these industries. There is no way an American company can compete with wages that are so incredibly low. I think I read somewhere that some of these workers are paid 20 cents and hour and made to work 12 hour days.
Our whole way of life is being altered by Wal-Mart. One important thing to remember is that America is great because of the huge middle class (and free, public education). Now the middle class is being assaulted and we are morphing into the rich and the poor. I'm spending three months in Mexico right now--near Puerto Vallarta. I see every day what a country looks like with predominantly poor and rich. It sucks.
Please educate yourself about Wal-Mart. Your Safeway has union workers, I would bet. I know that one of the best jobs in Fort Bragg, CA, is working for Safeway, now that the mill has closed. Also, read up on Costco--they are a much better run company with a history of being better employers, better working conditions and higher pay.
I would much rather shop at Costco, personally.
Oh, the name of the documentary was "Is Wal-Mart Good for America." On PBS. They are not benign.
april
Our whole way of life is being altered by Wal-Mart. One important thing to remember is that America is great because of the huge middle class (and free, public education). Now the middle class is being assaulted and we are morphing into the rich and the poor. I'm spending three months in Mexico right now--near Puerto Vallarta. I see every day what a country looks like with predominantly poor and rich. It sucks.
Please educate yourself about Wal-Mart. Your Safeway has union workers, I would bet. I know that one of the best jobs in Fort Bragg, CA, is working for Safeway, now that the mill has closed. Also, read up on Costco--they are a much better run company with a history of being better employers, better working conditions and higher pay.
I would much rather shop at Costco, personally.
Oh, the name of the documentary was "Is Wal-Mart Good for America." On PBS. They are not benign.
april
april