One more reason I hate Walmart

[LightDancer]

http://www.dailytrojan.com/news/2004/09/14/Opinions/WalMart.Destroys.Sacred.Ancient.Sites-717853.shtml

I have no words, it's just sickening.

Jamie

[soilsigh aingeal]

It's not like they can't find another place to put it...

[nocturnalgoddess]

That Is Just Disgusting!!!!!

[MoonDragn]

Question is, what do you need at walmart next to an aztec ruin?

"...Hold on indy, let me go pick up some shovels at walmart"

[trippingdaisy]

Question is, what do you need at walmart next to an aztec ruin?

"...Hold on indy, let me go pick up some shovels at walmart"
:yayah:


but surely they cannot be allowed to do this!!!!!

[pawnman]

Surely someone else owned that land and sold it to Wal-Mart.

Sorry, but I can't get worked up about it. Wal-Mart building a store on property it owns? So what?

If you hate Wal-Mart for this, write them letters, quit shopping there, etc.

[Old Witch]

I can already see I'm not going to be in the majority here, but I'm going to go ahead and post...The people protesting this Wal Mart probably are not the "little" people of the area...they are probably people who have more money than they have sense....Probably some of the areas touristy places are afraid they are gonna lose money and employess, I mean hotels are not known for the great wages they pay their waiters and housekeepers etc..Wal Mart is not building on the ruins, just near them....As for Mom and Pop stores...hey, I'm not going to pay up to triple what the chain stores charge just to keep them in business...

Accept times are always changing....Unless there's a biiiig war, a worldwide tsunami to take down population, a new ice age....whatever, you are gonna have to eliminate wetlands, archeological sites, the Alaskan wilderness, and the Rainforest to make room for people. That is unless you want to be in charge of who lives and who dies...
It's not a perfect world, and I surely don't hate Wal Mart...I still have a family to feed and clothe and I've got to save money...Mom and Pop need to find another business to run or retire...

I want to save the wetlands, the tigers in India, the artic Tundra....but a few old Aztec ruins or Hopi ruins or mounds in Southern Georgia ( and I'm Native American) are not more important than helping people in need of earning a living wage..

This article also mentions that the low pay of Wal Mart puts a strain on Californias budget...Oh yeah...like millions of illegal immigrants doesn't do that already......

[SilentDreams]

Pawnman is right.

I'm not gonna get mad. Hell its hard to beat their prices. When you have to cautious with cash it sometimes overshadows my morals. My family needs to afford food and clothing, that is a bigger priority than aztec ruins.

[Zophael]

It appears to me that something must be missing from Mexican law to allow land that close to the ruins to be used in this way. Anyone know if Mexico has zoning laws? You have to get a permit even to put shutters on your house (amongst other things) in many New England town historic districts.

You'll be happy to know Wal-Mart gets beat on a pretty regular basis in the northeast.

[Zophael]

Pawnman is right.

I'm not gonna get mad. Hell its hard to beat their prices. When you have to cautious with cash it sometimes overshadows my morals. My family needs to afford food and clothing, that is a bigger priority than aztec ruins.

correct. we should be upset about being paid less than our work is worth.

[pawnman]

I can already see I'm not going to be in the majority here, but I'm going to go ahead and post...The people protesting this Wal Mart probably are not the "little" people of the area...they are probably people who have more money than they have sense....Probably some of the areas touristy places are afraid they are gonna lose money and employess, I mean hotels are not known for the great wages they pay their waiters and housekeepers etc..Wal Mart is not building on the ruins, just near them....As for Mom and Pop stores...hey, I'm not going to pay up to triple what the chain stores charge just to keep them in business...

Accept times are always changing....Unless there's a biiiig war, a worldwide tsunami to take down population, a new ice age....whatever, you are gonna have to eliminate wetlands, archeological sites, the Alaskan wilderness, and the Rainforest to make room for people. That is unless you want to be in charge of who lives and who dies...
It's not a perfect world, and I surely don't hate Wal Mart...I still have a family to feed and clothe and I've got to save money...Mom and Pop need to find another business to run or retire...

I want to save the wetlands, the tigers in India, the artic Tundra....but a few old Aztec ruins or Hopi ruins or mounds in Southern Georgia ( and I'm Native American) are not more important than helping people in need of earning a living wage..

This article also mentions that the low pay of Wal Mart puts a strain on Californias budget...Oh yeah...like millions of illegal immigrants doesn't do that already......


Hey, someone who agrees with me. Hard to find that in these kinds of threads.

And I'm guessing the Mexican government is more concerned with their own budget crisis than Aztec Ruins. They're urging their own citizens to migrate to the US illegally, for crying out loud.

[Shadowulfe]

It appears to me that something must be missing from Mexican law to allow land that close to the ruins to be used in this way. Anyone know if Mexico has zoning laws? You have to get a permit even to put shutters on your house (amongst other things) in many New England town historic districts.


You'll be happy to know Wal-Mart gets beat on a pretty regular basis in the northeast.
evidentally, from the research i did-Mexico does have zoning laws, but they are not enforced very well. as for the details of the zoning laws i wasnt able to find any details but will keep searching

[Jenne]

OW, I love ya babe, but here, I see flaws. I'm all for the free market and whatnot, but not without limits. Shall we just tear down ALL our monuments and sacred places so we can have a McDonald's and WalMart on every corner of the globe, every square mile of the universe? Making way for poplation does not have to include the places where ancients lived and worshipped. We still have options here. And perhaps if everyone were as driven to save the wetlands and rainforests and whatnot as they are about getting a tube of lipstick for $1, it might get done...but I digress.

And yes, WM was sold the land--but do we really know all the facts on the actual sale of that land? If it changed hands legally? If the community at large was notified what the sale of land was for? I doubt it. I bet it was snuck in under a private buyer and then quickly changed hands to a conglommerate of WM. Seeing the way people out here protest when WM goes in, they probably used Mexico's limping justice system to their advantage here...maybe not, but my jaded view of corporate America suspects this is so.

Again, I agree in capitalism, but not to the extent that large corporations can impinge on cultural icons and artifacts, obliterating the spiritual power they hold. THAT lowers the standard of living in the world MORE than cheap underwear. This is yet another reason why the rest of the world can't stand the US--they see us as greedy buggers who've sold our souls on the altar of the almighty dollar. I can't see that in this instance they're wrong.

I'm sure there are other lucrative sights in Mexico for WalMart to put their superstore. And I'm doubting that the local economy is their main reason for putting a store there--they are there for the tourists, plain and simple.

[Old Witch]

Quote And yes, WM was sold the land--but do we really know all the facts on the actual sale of that land? If it changed hands legally? If the community at large was notified what the sale of land was for? I doubt it. I bet it was snuck in under a private buyer and then quickly changed hands to a conglommerate of WM. Seeing the way people out here protest when WM goes in, they probably used Mexico's limping justice system to their advantage here...maybe not, but my jaded view of corporate America suspects this is so.Quote

If it's my land to sell, you don't have a dang thing to say about it....If I got my price, then that land becomes Wal Marts problem...
Step out of Utopia and into Reality....

It sucks doesn't it.....?

[Lunamoth]

Well I guess it's safe to say we should go ahead and knock out the American war memorials in favour of superstores well known for underpaying their employees, for getting their merchandise from sweatshops, for stomping blatantly on wetlands and so forth. How about a few graveyards too? They're dusty and old, not really worth anything. Stonehenge? Bah. It's old. Knock it down. Most forests are old too. We should move on. Pave everything.

[sarabethv]

Well, here I go about to piss everyone off. I am an anthropologist and while I really believe that ancient sites should be saved and studied:
[QUOTE=Jenne]
Making way for poplation does not have to include the places where ancients lived and worshipped.

If this were the case there is no room for the rest of us. Phoenix and Tucson are built ON TOP of ancient sites. Lots of them, so are most other cities. And which sites do you think are GOOD ENOUGH to save or so good that nothing should be built next to them? Native American ones? Revolutionary War ones? Old Forts? What constitutes the type of place that should be saved? Only the ancients? How about Rome? Venice? London? (HELLO - on top of really ancient sites) Oh wait - were you guys referring to the ones built by Noble Savages? Well my grandfather thanks you, but would prefer (were he still here to say it for himself) being thought of as a man just like any other and since our practices of discrimination still apply would probably need to shop at Walmart too.

As for WalMart - yeah I hate shopping there just like everyone else. Unfortunately, on a teacher's pay, I can't afford to shop at cute little Mom and Pop places that only the wealthy can afford. And whatever we think about their practices (and the way they treat their employees *like shit*) the fact is that I save not a little but a LOT of money shopping there.

When it is a choice between getting a couple less items shopping at Mom and Pop places fine - but when the choice is food in the house and shoes on the girls feet or NONE then I'm afraid the ancient Aztecs loose. If you want to use your justifiable outrage - lets turn to minimum wage - discrimination - those things that make is necessary for the population to shop at places like Wal Mart.

[WynnJera]

They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum.
And they charged all the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em.
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone?
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

Late last night I heard my screen door slam.
A big yellow bulldozer took away the house and the land.
Don't it always go to show
You'll never know what you got till it's gone?
They paved paradise, they put up a parking lot.


As Forest Gump would say ... that's all I got to say about that .....

[Old Witch]

Well I guess it's safe to say we should go ahead and knock out the American war memorials in favour of superstores well known for underpaying their employees, for getting their merchandise from sweatshops, for stomping blatantly on wetlands and so forth. How about a few graveyards too? They're dusty and old, not really worth anything. Stonehenge? Bah. It's old. Knock it down. Most forests are old too. We should move on. Pave everything.

Who the heck said anything about them knocking down those ruins? It's being built outside the area. Was one word mentioned about how far outside the area it was....? It says it's on the "edge" of the area....That could be anywhere from a few feet to...well anything..... And I didn't know that there was a big Aztec culture left in that area.... I pretty much think the Aztec culture died a while back.......Cemetarys are moved everyday, heck one was moved a couple of weeks ago in my area. That happens all the time......And as far as being underpaid, I work for a major "philanthropic" hospital in my area and I'm both overworked and underpaid . Wal Mart doesn't have a monopoly on that..... in this day and time, I'm just grateful to have a job....Look up "Big Yellow Taxi" . http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/1005.html There, I looked it up for you. What you are feeling isn't new.......I felt that way a long time ago, then I understood choices you have to make to to live........ You will too in time.........

[pawnman]

Well I guess it's safe to say we should go ahead and knock out the American war memorials in favour of superstores well known for underpaying their employees, for getting their merchandise from sweatshops, for stomping blatantly on wetlands and so forth. How about a few graveyards too? They're dusty and old, not really worth anything. Stonehenge? Bah. It's old. Knock it down. Most forests are old too. We should move on. Pave everything.


Difference being, our government isn't so hard up for cash that they are willing to sell our war memorials and national parks to Wal-Mart and McDonalds.

As for underpaying employees? Wal-mart pays about industry average for retail clerks. Hate to break it to you, but "Cashier" is not a 6-figure job.

[Lunamoth]

BTW, that article is rather old. The store has already opened:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3986729.stm

Edit: Hate to break it to me? Really? I'm not that naive, pawnman. There are MALL jobs that pay better than Walmart. As someone who's been on both ends of the pay scale, I know what cashier jobs pay, thanks. I also know that a company with their profit margin can afford to up the ante to $7 from the usual $6.25.

[Old Witch]

Youare right Luna. That story was published 9-14- 2004 and that store had to be at least close to completion then...........What was the point of posting it here? Now? And BTW, There are people on this board with degees and working in ther fields that make less than Wal Mart employees.......People aren't indentured servants....they can move on.........If the only job in town is at Wal Mart....then that's where you work no matter what it pays.......

[Faeawyn]

I don't think Wal-Marts should come in to communities where they are not wanted. If they're wanted, thats one thing. But if not, then they need to find somewhere else to go.

[MoonDragn]

Its a moot point really, according to the story there were other stores there already. Its not like its the only eyesore there. Nothing you can really do about it now as its already built. How many of us in the US are living on ancient indian burial grounds?

[SSanf]

Read this tread because I loved the title. LOL "One more reason I hate Walmart"


Making way for poplation does not have to include the places where ancients lived and worshipped.

If this were the case there is no room for the rest of us.Exactly right. There is no where people were not here before us. That means we must use common sense and pick and chose that which is worth preserving and that which must give way to the needs of ourselves and our posterity.

Not all old things are worth saving. Some things are discarded because they are, in fact, trash.

[Old Witch]

Read this tread because I loved the title. LOL "One more reason I hate Walmart"

Exactly right. There is no where people were not here before us. That means we must use common sense and pick and chose that which is worth preserving and that which must give way to the needs of ourselves and our posterity.

Not all old things are worth saving. Some things are discarded because they are, in fact, trash.


ooooo. Wisdom!
No I am not being sarcastic......she spoke with wisdom.

[erlynn]

Basically, it just plain sucks that wal-mart wants to build next to an archeologically and historically important site. And it really sucks that people are forced to shop there because their wages are so low. It's all a big cycle, pay people low wages -> they have shop at Plastic-Crap-Mart -> Plastic-Crap-Mart gets lots of business -> business go under or suffer->then they have to pay people low wages and so on...

I don't like the idea that wal-mart is being built there. If the community wants it gone they can protest it, and if we don't appreciate it, we can stop shopping there. If you don't care, then you don't...I suppose there's nothing any of us can say to change your mind and there's nothing any of you can say to change our minds. So I guess we're just gonna have to agree to disagree :fpoke: :smoochypo

[arctic splash]

And yes, WM was sold the land--but do we really know all the facts on the actual sale of that land? If it changed hands legally? If the community at large was notified what the sale of land was for? I doubt it.

Who 'owns' what is irrelevant for me (not to mention that I'm critical of the concept of land ownership itself, or at least, the extent to which humans think they can put a title on every square inch of land on the planet, and call it their own). Legality and morality are often very separate issues.

What I object to is Wal-Mart buying land just about anywhere it can get its hands on it, building these hideous stores and putting down these hideous parking lots. They really are paving paradise. Thankfully Vermont has been wonderful so far in preventing these things coming into their beautiful state. I think it wasn't until fairly recently that the first Wal-Mart was built in Vermont, and even now, there's still lots of pressure and very few have been built. At least, I've never seen one... but Wal-Mart is keeping at it... and if Vermont people don't stay adamant about it, they may soon see their extraordinary state becoming something other than extraordinary.

Of course I also object to their employment practises, the commercialisation and dumbing down of originality and creativity, etc. etc. etc.

But it's the culture and societal structure, I think, that's really at fault. Wal-Mart isn't going to stop building stores wherever they wish just because I wish they wouldn't, or just because millions of people wish they wouldn't, as long as they can, and as long as they know they know it can bring them a profit. Thousands of companies, I'm sure, would build in Yellowstone National Park or destroy Stonehenge if they thought it would bring them a profit. Sadly, it's not just Wal-Mart.

For me, at least, it's part of a much bigger problem... and whether we work at Wal-Mart or shop at Wal-Mart, or buy food from the supermarket, or drive a car, or pay taxes, or really... do *anything*... we're supporting the problem. It's kind of difficult to avoid it. And *that*, to me, is the problem.

[arctic splash]

If this were the case there is no room for the rest of us. Phoenix and Tucson are built ON TOP of ancient sites. Lots of them, so are most other cities. And which sites do you think are GOOD ENOUGH to save or so good that nothing should be built next to them? Native American ones?

I think what existed before Pheonix and Tucson and Boston and Dallas and Toronto and Mexico City WERE good enough to save... since they're all painful reminders to me of the genocide that was practised across this entire continent.

I also think, and I'm going to be in the minority or all alone on this.... with the population of wild tigers at about 5,000... making room for new humans REALLY isn't an issue for me. Between humans and tigers, I choose tigers.

Alright, I don't like this discussion. I'm stopping now.

[Lunamoth]

People also seem to forget that there is a LOT of land that isn't occupied. I've driven through West Texas, for example. Hundreds of miles with not a soul living on it. If humans want to expand so badly, pipe some water on out there and have fun.

[Aeres_Stormcrow]

I unfortunately work at a Wal Mart, and I can tell you that it isn't really the best job on the planet. They lie to us about how they can't pay us anymore because they "don't make enough money", they treat many of us like we were disobidient children for NO REASON, many of the managers are complete idiots with a I--am--god complex, and to make things even worse, they REFUSED to give me off on Samhain, even after I went far enough to tell the dirty bastards what religion I was. Yes, Wal Mart truly does suck, and believe me I am searching for a new job.

[wolf]

If you think Walmart is evil or unscrupulous. Don't shop there.

But also don't shop at K-Mart, Target, Macy's, Banana Republic, The May Company Stores, any supermarket, or basically, any business that's in business to make a profit.

Walmart makes it possible for people who might not otherwise be able to afford decent clothing and household or personal items do so. They have pharmaceuticals and other basic health items available at low cost.

Oh, and from the article:


A study released by the UC Berkeley Labor Center in August 2004 confirmed Inglewood's fears, the study reported that on average, Wal-Mart's wages are 31 percent below that of a large sample group of retailers - $9.70 an hour versus $14.01 an hour.

If someone can tell me what fantasy-land retailer is paying an AVERAGE WAGE of $14.01/hr ... let me know. I'll work there instead of busting my butt helping the severely mentally ill. Also consider that the average wage stated for Walmart is still well above minimum wage. And they do offer benefits for full-time employees.

I question a lot of the information presented in the article ... this is not world class journalism, here, and is largely an opinion piece. The information is not sourced ... where are the links to the stories in the major media? There are a lot of anecdotal stories about most of the major US corporations and their evils here and abroad, but few of them actually bear out when investigated.

[arctic splash]

And they do offer benefits for full-time employees.

Why was I under the impression that Wal-Mart doesn't hire full-time employees? At least this is what one former employee of Wal-Mart told me. Can someone familiar with their policies clarify?

[greenwitch]

yeah it's official: walmart sucks major hairy butt... :awwman:

[Jenne]

Who the heck said anything about them knocking down those ruins? It's being built outside the area. Was one word mentioned about how far outside the area it was....? It says it's on the "edge" of the area....That could be anywhere from a few feet to...well anything..... And I didn't know that there was a big Aztec culture left in that area.... I pretty much think the Aztec culture died a while back.......Cemetarys are moved everyday, heck one was moved a couple of weeks ago in my area. That happens all the time......And as far as being underpaid, I work for a major "philanthropic" hospital in my area and I'm both overworked and underpaid . Wal Mart doesn't have a monopoly on that..... in this day and time, I'm just grateful to have a job....Look up "Big Yellow Taxi" . http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/1005.html There, I looked it up for you. What you are feeling isn't new.......I felt that way a long time ago, then I understood choices you have to make to to live........ You will too in time.........
I guess it's just that some of us don't agree that compromising is always necessary to get on. Everyone has their limits. Philanthropy in and of itself is supposed to be its own reward--that's what happens when you work for nonprofit--you don't get what you deserve because helping people is the end result. My husband is head of a np pediatrics clinic in a depressed area and has to get his "just reward" the same way--by knowing he's helping a greater good. And for that, our own finances suffer.

That's fine that things Aztec "died" a while back...to me that doesn't diminish their worth but make their lessons and what they had to offer that much more special, because it's lasted this long.

Look, I understand pragmatism, I understand that "oh well that's life move on and quitcherbitchin" kind of attitude. But unless there are SOME who are willing to preserve history, then our kids (or theirs, and so on) will never learn the lessons from yesteryear. They will be doomed to repeat them. It goes beyond the "kitch" factor, and I suspect this point is known and understood.

I don't see why large corporations should be allowed to take over just because they can. If someone doesn't want them in their neighborhood, and they are legally allowed to protest, then they should be able to. Whether or not they meet with success, that is their chance to take. And I don't believe that all "progress" is bad...but when it comes to national monuments, cultural icons and the like, I think corporations/businesses etc. should take the community at large and whatever repercussions doing business in a certain area would be in a certain subculture into account.

[Lunamoth]

I unfortunately work at a Wal Mart, and I can tell you that it isn't really the best job on the planet. They lie to us about how they can't pay us anymore because they "don't make enough money", they treat many of us like we were disobidient children for NO REASON, many of the managers are complete idiots with a I--am--god complex, and to make things even worse, they REFUSED to give me off on Samhain, even after I went far enough to tell the dirty bastards what religion I was. Yes, Wal Mart truly does suck, and believe me I am searching for a new job.

My best friend tried working at a Wal Mart for a while when her family was short on money and she reported much the same thing as you are saying. That they're dishonest, that they treat people like children, and make it generally an uncomfortable place to be.

Seems Canada is getting some good ideas about unions though: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050119/ap_on_bi_ge/wal_mart_union_1 (Clicky-clicky)

[Lunamoth]

Why was I under the impression that Wal-Mart doesn't hire full-time employees? At least this is what one former employee of Wal-Mart told me. Can someone familiar with their policies clarify?

According to the UFCW, the average employee works 32 hours per week (http://www.ufcw.org/press_room/fact_sheets_and_backgrounder/walmart/wages.cfm), which would set them below full-time. But I'm guessing supervisory roles are 40 hours plus.

There's some discrepancy, though, about what the average wage is. According to this article (http://www.ksworkbeat.org/Issues/Walmart_s_Opinon_of_Union_Memb/Walmart_Wage_Doesn_t_Go_Far/walmart_wages_details/walmart_wages_details.html) it's only 6.25, though they may be referring specifically to cashiers, whereas the former UFCW report includes an average of all roles within their structure.

[Billy Pilgrim]

((Yay!! An opportunity to rant!!))
Cemeteries... burial grounds.... eh.. big deal.. we all know that when a body dies it decays and is dead and gone and becomes a part of Mother Earth again. WhOoo Hoo. So remind me again what the difference is between a Native American guy that died 400 years ago and an American guy that died last month? Sure it's nice to keep a lil' reminder out there of your long lost loved ones, and I admit to enjoying walking around in cemeteries, but if every single person who ever died and was buried had their own sacred square of ground and a grave marker, there'd be no room on the face of the planet for anything else.

Ancient monuments, and certainly the wonders of the ancient world (Stonehenge, pyramids, Anasazi cliff dwellings) can be amazing and interesting relics to teach us of past times, which is really quaint and nostalgic, but sadly our world is doing very little to accomodate for time as being equally important to preserve as people are.

I could rant forever, but to summarize my opinion, I feel very strongly that:

1) The world is over-populated. Yay for soilent green.

2) The people in this world are too materialistic.

-Television is the devil. Why not go out and plant a garden or read a book or something.

-Pissed off because the Gap only had sweaters in fuschia and limon-lime? Make your own damn clothes. Can't? Because you don't know how? Learn. Don't have a sewing machine? Buy one or do it by hand. I'm 17 and don't know how to sew either, and I'm just as unmotivated as anyone else, but I happened across some corderoy type fabric in the attic and a pattern that my mom used in the 1970's to make a pair of pants when she was 17, and guess what? I bought some black dye and made some huge-ass pants that I happen to like more than the $50, professionally made (detailed with zippers and d-rings) pair I own from Hot Topic.

And as far as jobs go, how 'bout instead of going to college and racking up massive debt in credit cards and student loans, get into a job fresh out of high school and do something practical with yourself. Like plumbing. There's nothing not to respect about a good plumber. :p

Besides, when you get out of college, you've just wasted 4 of some of the greatest years of your life.. if you want to be educated, then start reading... I advise going to college later in life after you've spent your prime years out there doing practical work (Which would really jump-start the economy.. I mean hell... America.. MAKING THINGS! Maybe we wouldn't have to buy everything from Taiwan and Indonesia then!) ...and then maybe when you're older and you are ready to settle down and know what you want to do with your life, then you can go back to school and when you're old you can have a white collar job like being a lawyer or a psychologist or even own your own business or be a florest or one of those countless other jobs that aren't really doing as much for America as we'd like to think.

Don't even get me started on that. -_-

..and about the cemetery thing, quite frankly, only about 1 billionth of the world has ever even heard your name and when you die very few people outside your immediate family and friends are going to care that you have your own 6'x2'x2' ft. hole in the ground with a rock over it. Why lock your dead physical body in a box when you could let it return back to the earth where it came from? It's the least you could do. Now come on and give up those carbons, you bastard~! Feed the nematodes!

I know I sound like I jerk but I think it's the only way to get through to people, and I'm sure most of you already know this and practice similar things like turning off the lights when you leave a room, and keeping the house at 65 and wearing a sweater rather than at 75, and buying organic, and I'm sure most of you have gardens and do composting, and probably some of you make your own stuff.... which is great, and I salute you for it!! Excellent! ...the only problem is, maybe you should tell your friends... and get them to tell ~their friends... because the world's not really in such great shape, so we've got two options-- kill the stupid people ((as fun as that would be, there were be wonderful legal and social repercussions.... *sigh*)) ....... OR... we can educate them! :)

And besides... together (Oh no! I can feel the cliche coming already!!)... we CAN make a difference!

(Sorry, I know that was corny, I just had to do it..:p)


*holds out fist* Captain Planet.... AWAAAAYY! :D

[Lunamoth]

If you think Walmart is evil or unscrupulous. Don't shop there.

But also don't shop at K-Mart, Target, Macy's, Banana Republic, The May Company Stores, any supermarket, or basically, any business that's in business to make a profit.

Walmart makes it possible for people who might not otherwise be able to afford decent clothing and household or personal items do so. They have pharmaceuticals and other basic health items available at low cost.

As my gradma always said, if you can't afford it, don't buy it. Pharmaceuticals are priced by the pharma company, not the retailers. And from my experience, you're not actually saving any money at Walmart, you can find the same items elsewhere for the same price or less. Unless you buy poor quality things/food. I'd rather spend a little more and feed my body real food that won't give me health problems later than save money and buy something cheap and full of filler crap.

yes, don't shop at Walmart. And do some research and realise there are other alternatives. Find a food co-op. Make your own clothes or utilize thrift shops.

The so-called "savings" is a farce, IMO. If you buy cheap crap, that's what you end up with: crap.

[QUEEN OF THE DAMNED]

that's disgusting!

[Galaxia]

Ω

[Silver Moonfire]

I worked at Wal-Mart for a couple of weeks. I can't really say they treat their employees grand...at least not at the ones that I've had friends work at.

[Sequoia]

The so-called "savings" is a farce, IMO. If you buy cheap crap, that's what you end up with: crap.
:hehehehe: :rolleyes: You've never actually *shopped* at Wal-mart, have you?

All of their "equate" products are as good or better than the name brands they're imitating, from my personal experience. Sure the foods they sell are things like sodas and boxed foods... (though I haven't been to one of the supermarket ones). But it seems to me that most other chain grocery stores sell those foods too, at much higher prices.

It'd be nice to feed your children 100% organic mac and cheese with organic milk and cruelty-free eggs and what have you. Hell, should I have the money to afford rich and special food for my children one day, darn tootin that I'm going to buy it for them. But you know what? If it's a choice between a full meal from Walmart, or a thin, small one from the organics store... and no new sneakers, either... and no warm winter jacket unless I ask at the shelter... then excuse me, but I'm going to shop at Walmart.

The quality is just fine, if you stop sticking your nose up in the air. The clothes I've bought there are often the same brands you get elsewhere. Same food brands as in the grocery store. You can buy your same toiletries if you really must, and *cheaper* too, wow! But personally, the equate stuff is just as quality. And you know, your precious illegal immigrants are probably HAPPY to take a generic brand tylenol, since they watched their children DIE from fevers in wherever their home country was.


I've known people who worked at Wal-Mart who were paid like $10, retail work. I've worked MANY retail jobs, from clothing stores to bookstores, and the most I've ever been paid was $6-$8 (and the 8 was after a lot of retail experience).

I'm sorry, but since when is a teenager or illegal immigrant behind a cash register supposed to be paid as much as a receptionist or accountant? If they don't like it, why don't they go and figure out the skills for a better job? Oh, they can't affordto go to school? They have families to feed, gas to buy, and things they'd like to own? Wow, I'm sorry. I was under the impression that you start out in lower-paying jobs, manage life, THEN find a way to learn/find oppourtunities/etc, THEN get a job. Any job experience is good to put on your resume. And if you want to play the victim, you can even mention how you stuck on and were loyal even when big ol' walmart was mean to you.

I'm sorry, if you don't like it, leave. What? No other jobs in your area? Wtf would you be doing if there was no Walmart there? Starving? On welfare? Hmmm....

[Lunamoth]

:hehehehe: :rolleyes: You've never actually *shopped* at Wal-mart, have you?

Yes, I have.

The quality is just fine, if you stop sticking your nose up in the air. The clothes I've bought there are often the same brands you get elsewhere. Same food brands as in the grocery store. You can buy your same toiletries if you really must, and *cheaper* too, wow!

My nose is in the air? Excuse me? What exactly are you accusing me of? Oh, of not wanting to fill my body, which I view as a temple, with preservatives and bio-engineered crap. My mother, my father, my grandparents managed to feed us without the advent of Walmart. Or maybe we should just come up with another pill to cure what we've done to ourselves with crummy foods, yeah?

I'm sorry, but since when is a teenager or illegal immigrant behind a cash register supposed to be paid as much as a receptionist or accountant? If they don't like it, why don't they go and figure out the skills for a better job? Oh, they can't affordto go to school? They have families to feed, gas to buy, and things they'd like to own? Wow, I'm sorry. I was under the impression that you start out in lower-paying jobs, manage life, THEN find a way to learn/find oppourtunities/etc, THEN get a job. Any job experience is good to put on your resume. And if you want to play the victim, you can even mention how you stuck on and were loyal even when big ol' walmart was mean to you.

Wow, I'd love to see a Walmart that only had teenagers and immigrants at the register. And life must be so simple where you live, where jobs are just falling out of the sky. Haven't been laid off lately have you? Oh, wait, that was about as assumptive of your experiences as you are of mine. Wasn't it?

If you like Walmart, great, good for you. Have a great time. And if you don't like Walmart, don't shop there and don't work there. But, and this is important, just because someone feels it's important to be true to their beliefs and the treatment of themselves and their body, do NOT insinuate that they are some kind of arrogant prig with their nose in the air. Perhaps, maybe, just MAYBE, they have different priorities. If you want me to respect yours, then sure as heck, I'd like it if you respected mine.

[BlessedByTheGoddess]

I normally like Wal*Mart, but that is just wrong.

[Zophael]

As for underpaying employees? Wal-mart pays about industry average for retail clerks. Hate to break it to you, but "Cashier" is not a 6-figure job.

It's smart-ass comments like this that tempt me into dealing negative karma. The whole industry is underpaying. Anybody who works an honest 40 hours per week regardless of job description deserves to be paid enough to support themselves and their family with a reasonable lifestyle. As it is Wal-Mart pay is rarely enough to make a monthly car payment and rent for a single-bedroom apartment.

[kissesree]

that is sssoooooo messed up!!!!

[Sequoia]

This is what gets me. :lol:

"My grandfather and father and such and such managed to feed us perfect, whole, organic, healthy, magickal foods without a walmart! So everybody should find their special alterternative way of doing it and do the same!!! Oh, oh, and everybody who eats Kraft Mac and Cheese is polluting their body and their children's bodies!"

:rolleyes: :geez: Now it's getting a bit silly. Look, food is food. Some foods are better quality than others. Some are organic, some are grown who-knows-where. Some are naturally healthier, some are not. Nobody's arguing that, of course. But what *is* silly is suggesting that you're somehow abusive because you eat commercially packaged foods, or feed them to your children.

That's great that your body is a temple to the Goddess and you ONLY feed her prime organics with soy everything in them. I'm sure you've found some way that your grandfather did of, I don't know, growing a money tree or something.

The point I'm trying to make is that MOST PEOPLE don't have the resources, be them monetary or magical-poof-somehow-I-afford-it-so-you-should-too, in order to be able to buy Mom and Pop's Organic Soy-Based Gluten-Free Non-Wheat Noodle Product to feed themselves and their kids.

And yeah, it sucks that a lot of jobs are minimum wage. And yeah, I think the government should raise minimum wage. But heck, I don't hear you complaining about them. Or about the hundreds of other chains, such as Target, K-Mart, a hundred thousand stores like Sears, Macy's, and every other mall chain known to man, who are paying BARE MINIMUM to their employees, scheduling them part-time, etc. I mean, wtf is your special grudge against Walmart? *Any* of you?

What is it about Wal-Mart that is so anti-magick-special that you just *havta* hate them that much more than any other company? Or the government that sets the so-called "living wage" that these companies pay?

I mean, if you're going to get indignant over large organizations not paying enough, why not take it to the root of the problem, the Government Policies that set minimum wage? Because let's face it - companies are out to *make a profit.* Just like Mom and Pop stores. In fact, they make *less* of a profit, considering they charge so little for their items. Stores like Safeway make you pay out the NOSE, for the same products, and are just as large of chains as Walmart.

If it were up to 'you', would there be no chains at all? No manufactured clothes? Or foods? Would all farms be Organic-Soy, would there be no meat or dairy, would we all eat rice and fish and live to be one hundred?

And why is it your expert opinion that Wal-Mart is the worst... why is it that you *object* to jobs going to people in the countries you pity? Especially when it helps both their economy, state of life, and our own economy? I mean, so these poor descendents of the Aztecs got utterly screwed over by the Spanish. They live in poverty for generation after generation. A big faceless company comes in, offering them cheap goods and a job to feed their kids, medications at a MUCH more reasonable price they've ever seen to keep their kids from getting sick... food that is QUITE LIKELY a much better quality that anything they've ever eaten, at a price they can afford... (because when all you can afford is rice, I'll tell you, Kraft Mac & Cheese is a damn sight healthier for a growing body)

And you're ANGRY? Irate? Insulted???

What, you'd rather give them a handout of rice and say "that's too bad, something should be done about it." ... and when somebody does do something about it, by offering them a job (giving confidance and a sense of providing), and better food at an affordable price (sure it's mac and cheese, or perhaps veggies, fruit juice, even canned foods)... and you get upset??

I mean, how the heck is one supposed to please "you", the masses, who feel that it's sad people are in poverty, and then complain when they earn even just a little money for themselves?

I mean... not to sound simplistic... but dude. We can't all be "Trumps"!!! We can't all live in big American houses, eat Organic Whole Foods, shop at Mom and Pop stores... we can't *all* get jobs that pay so much we can afford food AND clothes AND a roof over our heads AND somehow have the extra cash to buy "healthier" organics.

I'd rather see a parent spending the extra six dollars on a box of vitamins for her kids that will last weeks to suppliment the child's diet, than to see the child get one big organic meal a week, and have the rest be lacking in *any* nutrition, because the parent couldn't afford that much.

Mom and Pop stores are going the way of the bakery/butcher/drugist/tailor/blacksmith/etc way. They'll always be there in tourist towns (and probably Europe :) ), but in modern urban America, we just cannot afford to tell families who are hungry as it is that they are "abusing" their children and themselves and treating themselves as though they're "throwing dirt into their temple" and deconsecrating themselves by eating to survive.

Organics, Mom and Pop stores, cute little hippy outfits from charity stores, etc are luxuries, that MOST PEOPLE cannot afford. And before you get into the "but it's a chaaarrriiiitttyyyy stoooorrree, it's cheeeaaappp".... no, it's not. Not always, and you cannot always find things like bras and underwear there. Not that, ugh, I'd want to. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want myself or a child to be wearing panties that someone else has worn. Ew. Just, ew. If you want to be that close to nature, that's fine. But not everybody does.

Walmart provides cheap, reasonable qualities things at VERY reasonable prices. No, of course they aren't Tommy Hilfiger or Elizabeth Taylor. Or Sally The Hippy's Organic Fabric Hemp Earthwear. But they're durable, comfortable, and reasonably stylish. Of course they aren't gourmet caviar and organic rice crackers. Of course they aren't Iams Superfood. And if you want to get technical, the plushies are still handmade - just by someone in China instead of by an American.

Yeah, I eat organics when I have the money. Why? Because it's healthier. Duh. Who wants to eat pesticides. But the point I'm trying to make is that the average family can barely afford traditional groceries. They can barely afford traditional clothes, toiletries, etc. Most of these people have to use crap like Suave which burns the skin, they have to wear rags passed down from like five kids before them. They wear shoes with holes, and eat the cheapest, least-nutritious stuff because they cannot afford anything else.

And if you feel this is because not everybody is paid a minimum of $10 an hour? Write your freaking congressman/woman. Write the president. Become active in your community. But for God's sake, don't sit and whine at me and Walmart because they're well within the limits of the law. Your glaring at them is NOT going to get them to change their policies. I mean, wtf, you think that since the NEWS and PRESS articles haven't gotten them to change, well, they just haven't seen the likes of you yet?

Get politically active! Wave your "Organics Only - Raise Minimum Wage!" signs in front of the pompous, idiotic innaugural ball they're having. Write letters, sign petitions, orgainze a movement! Get a voice!

But don't critisize a company unless you plan to critisize EVERY SINGLE OTHER that is acting JUST LIKE THEM. I mean.... for heavens' sakes! Is it just the name you hate? How big they are? The fact that they're making a profit?

Holy crap. Go make a difference if it bothers you that much, instead of whimpering in front of a computer screen. All of you! In fact, why not donate your computer that you're typing on this very minute so that these people can learn some skills that maybe can get them a better paying job!

But then who will work the retail?

You know that there are people with college degrees working at Wallyworld.

So then it boils down to this: need for job--provided job. Any work being better than no work. Obviously they think so, otherwise they would be sitting on the curb for handouts.

So if you object so much to the pay they're given, instead of whining to Walmart, why not pull up your britches and go motivate your local political leader?

This is a Democracy, people -- If you don't like it, get your butt out there and change it!

[pawnman]

Why was I under the impression that Wal-Mart doesn't hire full-time employees? At least this is what one former employee of Wal-Mart told me. Can someone familiar with their policies clarify?

Perhaps the managers at your local Wal-Mart were cutting corners that way, but when I worked for Wal-Mart, I had several co-workers who were full-time (not just the managers, either). I had a stock purchase plan (I could buy stock $10 at a time, and I got a 15% discount for being an employee). I would have been eligible for a 401(k) after I turned 21 (I left before that for a better job...my current one, actually). I never had a real problem getting days off. Sometimes there were conflicts, and I had to deal with it. But I've never had a job where they always gave my Samhain off because, let's face it, to the world at large, that's just halloween, and it's just a party day.

And if you hate Wal-Mart so much, why not try shopping at Kroger's, or Meijer's, or K-Mart, or Family Dollar, or Dollar General. Wal-Mart has plenty of competition. They're the largest retailer in the world, not the only retailer in the world.

[pawnman]

It's smart-ass comments like this that tempt me into dealing negative karma. The whole industry is underpaying. Anybody who works an honest 40 hours per week regardless of job description deserves to be paid enough to support themselves and their family with a reasonable lifestyle. As it is Wal-Mart pay is rarely enough to make a monthly car payment and rent for a single-bedroom apartment.

I don't know who you think is running the register, but it's not a difficult job. Companies pay what the market will bear. If people think $6 an hour isn't high enough, they won't take the job.

Can't really say the whole industry is under paying when they're all offering wages above minimum wage. Wal-Mart's pay, in my experience, is above average for the retail industry, and so are the benefits. The only retailer we have in the area with better benefits is Meijer's, and the only reason they have better benefits is because they are unionized.

[pawnman]

:hehehehe: :rolleyes: You've never actually *shopped* at Wal-mart, have you?

Yes, I have.

The quality is just fine, if you stop sticking your nose up in the air. The clothes I've bought there are often the same brands you get elsewhere. Same food brands as in the grocery store. You can buy your same toiletries if you really must, and *cheaper* too, wow!

My nose is in the air? Excuse me? What exactly are you accusing me of? Oh, of not wanting to fill my body, which I view as a temple, with preservatives and bio-engineered crap. My mother, my father, my grandparents managed to feed us without the advent of Walmart. Or maybe we should just come up with another pill to cure what we've done to ourselves with crummy foods, yeah?

I'm sorry, but since when is a teenager or illegal immigrant behind a cash register supposed to be paid as much as a receptionist or accountant? If they don't like it, why don't they go and figure out the skills for a better job? Oh, they can't affordto go to school? They have families to feed, gas to buy, and things they'd like to own? Wow, I'm sorry. I was under the impression that you start out in lower-paying jobs, manage life, THEN find a way to learn/find oppourtunities/etc, THEN get a job. Any job experience is good to put on your resume. And if you want to play the victim, you can even mention how you stuck on and were loyal even when big ol' walmart was mean to you.

Wow, I'd love to see a Walmart that only had teenagers and immigrants at the register. And life must be so simple where you live, where jobs are just falling out of the sky. Haven't been laid off lately have you? Oh, wait, that was about as assumptive of your experiences as you are of mine. Wasn't it?

If you like Walmart, great, good for you. Have a great time. And if you don't like Walmart, don't shop there and don't work there. But, and this is important, just because someone feels it's important to be true to their beliefs and the treatment of themselves and their body, do NOT insinuate that they are some kind of arrogant prig with their nose in the air. Perhaps, maybe, just MAYBE, they have different priorities. If you want me to respect yours, then sure as heck, I'd like it if you respected mine.


Wal-mart has not cornered the market on preservatives and bio-engineered foods. If you have that big an issue with what you put into your body, you need to lean on the food manufacturers. You can find the same perservatives and bio-engineering at any grocery store, even the smaller mom-and-pop stores.

And Wal-Mart pays higher than average wages around here. Don't know how it works out where you are. But cashier is considered "unskilled labor" most places. It's on par with fast-food and janitorial work.

[samiaminsane]

Why hate Wal-mart in all of this? Makes a lot more sense to hate the people/corporation who sold the land to Wal-mart in the first place. IMO, it's a great store and without it I would be wearing flour sacks and I'd be eating a helluva lot less.

[Lunamoth]

Wal-mart has not cornered the market on preservatives and bio-engineered foods. If you have that big an issue with what you put into your body, you need to lean on the food manufacturers. You can find the same perservatives and bio-engineering at any grocery store, even the smaller mom-and-pop stores.

Oh for Christ's sake.

I don't buy that other manufactured crap either. I buy organic, yes. Am I rich? No. Well, where do I get the money from since I was laid off from a well-paying job with benefits? I cut out things like cable, like cell phones, like buying clothes all the time. Sorry, but I'd rather prevent a recurrance of cancer than kill myself slowly.

I'm a snob because I don't buy filler foods. Right. Okay. Then I'm a snob. So be it.

[Zophael]

I worked for Wal-Mart for 5 years. As a rule they are supposed to compete with local retail businesses, not only for low prices, but high wages as well.
Of course each individual store manager and the regional managers are responsible for seeing this through. My experience with getting time off as needed has been really troublesome and can absolutely be attributed to my manager. The one really good thing about Wal-Mart is that they've been number one in keeping inflation down. I could go on an economics tirade, but that's not for this thread. Suffice to say increasing minimum wage would only increase inflation, not solve the standard of living problem. There is absolutely no good reason why Wal-Mart (amongst other businesses) can't give it's employees what unionized grocery stores give their employees.
Now as far as land and building goes. Wal-Mart does nothing illegal. You can't fault them for being allowed to build. I do, however, find Wal-Mart rather inconsiderate at times when choosing a location. In this specific case in Mexico, I feel they should reconsider. Maybe turn it into a park with nothing more than a neigborhood market on the site or build it underground as they have in China. Just a thought.

[Sequoia]

Oh for Christ's sake.

I don't buy that other manufactured crap either. I buy organic, yes. Am I rich? No. Well, where do I get the money from since I was laid off from a well-paying job with benefits? I cut out things like cable, like cell phones, like buying clothes all the time. Sorry, but I'd rather prevent a recurrance of cancer than kill myself slowly.

I'm a snob because I don't buy filler foods. Right. Okay. Then I'm a snob. So be it.

:rolleyes: *again!*

Look, nobody's calling you a snob because you buy these foods. I'm pretty sure most people would like to buy some organic foods.

But it does amaze me that you appearantly feel you have the *ability* to buy clothes and have a cell phone and eat normal food... on a *non-working* wage. That in itself amazes me. How the heck much were you previously getting paid, that you feel you could feasably survive that way on unemployment?

And that statement, of the buying of clothes and cell phones and goodies, are what make me feel you don't understand not having enough money to buy "filler foods"... when you're starving, you're rather thankful to be "filled", no matter what kind of food it is!

I mean, wtf? You think poor people can't afford organics because they buy clothes all the time, watch HBO, and yammer away on their cellphones?

[SilentDreams]

Oh for Christ's sake.

I don't buy that other manufactured crap either. I buy organic, yes. Am I rich? No. Well, where do I get the money from since I was laid off from a well-paying job with benefits? I cut out things like cable, like cell phones, like buying clothes all the time. Sorry, but I'd rather prevent a recurrance of cancer than kill myself slowly.

I'm a snob because I don't buy filler foods. Right. Okay. Then I'm a snob. So be it.

Did you ever think its where you live? I know that my local Albertsons doesn't have a ton of organic healthy foods. What they do have is outrageously priced. We do have a Trader Joe's and a Organic store. But they both are still very outrageous. I much prefer to buy one of those box dinner things that have protein, dairy, and carbs that we need. Alot even have vegetables so its a all in one meal. They're cheap too. Not the healthiest thing on the market but for the amount and cost I'm willing to skimp on the organic part. I rather have our family eat something like this that will last a day or two and has everything we need. Then eat all organic foods that are so damn expensive we can only afford a few meals for our money. Especially ones that don't stretch out during the week. So don't go on about being able to afford organic foods because you cut everything out. Yeah thats great and I'm glad you can do it. But not everyone can, your area is different than mine, I obviously don't have the resources you do. So don't go implying that all of us like Sequoia(sp) here could afford it if we cut everything out.

[sarabethv]

I
That's fine that things Aztec "died" a while back...to me that doesn't diminish their worth but make their lessons and what they had to offer that much more special, because it's lasted this long.
But unless there are SOME who are willing to preserve history, then our kids (or theirs, and so on) will never learn the lessons from yesteryear. They will be doomed to repeat them.
.

would those special things be the mass human sacrifices on the steps of the temple by wal mart? How about the wells filled with human remains of young females that they fed their gods with?

[sarabethv]

[QUOTE=Billy -Pissed off because the Gap only had sweaters in fuschia and limon-lime? Make your own damn clothes. Can't? Because you don't know how? Learn. Don't have a sewing machine? Buy one or do it by hand. I'm 17 and don't know how to sew either, and I'm just as unmotivated as anyone else, but I happened across some corderoy type fabric in the attic and a pattern that my mom used in the 1970's to make a pair of pants when she was 17, and guess what? I bought some black dye and made some huge-ass pants that I happen to like more than the $50, professionally made (detailed with zippers and d-rings) pair I own from Hot Topic.

[/QUOTE]

Cool at least you tried and yes I do know how to sew and knit and crochet and fix my damn car (well not mine cause it has a bunch of electronic stuff in it that requires the proper computer to diagnose) And I know how to churn butter, bake bread, drywall, tile a floor, arc/mig weld and a bunch of other stuff. Keep learning.

[Morning Star]

I love Wal-Mart! Cheap prices. In and out. :) great place. People are taking this food and consumer stuff way too seriously. :) Who cares, buy whatever and eat whatever. :) Just get plenty of sleep and exercise. That is all you really need.

[Élistariel]

It said Wal-Mart was going to be built NEAR the ancient sites, not on them. There is a difference.
However, when the locals don't want you there, you can't really hope to do good business.
Case in point:
Opponents in the town have taken legal action to try to stop the superstore's construction, because they say it is an invasion into their way of life and that this conquest of their town by global commercial interests will lead to the destruction of their culture.
All in all, it's a Wal-Mart for star's sake. How long can it last until it's dilapidated and torn down? In comparison to the Aztec ruins, not very long. The ruins will be there long after Wal-Mart is said and done.
The altar, on the other hand should have been a red flag to the builders to pick up and move. That's unacceptable.

I, personally don't hate Wal-Mart. I quite enjoy it. If it weren't for Wally World my cousins would probably be running around nudie. I really liked them today. I went to Walgreens to get 8 photos made off my digital camera. 29 cents a pop. I accidentally chose the 5x7's. I thought they all were 29 cents. Nope, apparently 5.7 are like a buck fifty. My total for EIGHT photos came out to be $15 :hairraise: No way in hooha can I afford that. At Wal-Mart, I can get a roll of 25 for about 7 bucks. The 8 photos there cost me $1.92.

[pawnman]

Oh for Christ's sake.

I don't buy that other manufactured crap either. I buy organic, yes. Am I rich? No. Well, where do I get the money from since I was laid off from a well-paying job with benefits? I cut out things like cable, like cell phones, like buying clothes all the time. Sorry, but I'd rather prevent a recurrance of cancer than kill myself slowly.

I'm a snob because I don't buy filler foods. Right. Okay. Then I'm a snob. So be it.


What did I say there that sounded like "Lunamoth is a snob". You were talking about the food that Wal-Mart sells being bad for you. I was simply pointing out that anything you can find at Wal-Mart, you can find at any major grocery store, and probably many smaller ones. I was simply trying to say it's not a Wal-Mart exclusive practice to sell foods with perservatives and bio-engineering (I, personally, am a big believer in the genetic modification and bio-engineering. I can't wait for the labeling laws so I can buy that stuff).

Sorry if you think I was calling you a snob. I was just saying that Wal-Mart's food selection is what you'd expect to find at ANY grocery store.

[Amethyst Rose]

Eh, you know what? I love walmart. I buy everything there. I don't have to run to countless other stores to do my shopping, because it's all in one place, and they have some great stuff and cheep prices, especially when it comes to buying baby clothes. Why pay $30 for a pair of infant jeans at another store when I can by 3 entire outfits for that at Walmart?

I've never done all my grocery shopping there, but I have picked up a couple of things before.... I discovered Skippy's chocolate peanut butter at Walmart, mmm... :)

And like OW said... they didn't build on the ruins, just beside them, so no big deal.

[Lunamoth]

But not everyone can, your area is different than mine, I obviously don't have the resources you do. So don't go implying that all of us like Sequoia(sp) here could afford it if we cut everything out.

I'm not implying that everyone can, nor that Sequoia can. I was irritated that it was implied that those who don't like Wal-Mart - or all kinds of conglomerate stores - have our "nose in the air" and somehow think we're too good for it, simply because we actually stated *reasons* we don't like it. If your (general) reasons for going there are good enough for you, why is it that *our* reasons can't be good enough for us?

What it seems to me - and this is taking away experiences also from family and friends outside the Internet bubble - is that there's a contingent of folks who feel we (the people who don't shop there) are criticizing *them*. We're not, people. We're criticizing the store. The ire that's raised just seems so incongruous. Are you the store's owner? Are you related to someone who is? Did you make the things they sell? Why do you make it so personal.

I said their *stuff* is crap. Why take this so personally? If I said the stuff sold at Circuit City is crap, would you take it personally? What makes this one chain store so important.

pawnman: Apologies for it seeming like I said you called me a snob. That wasn't directed at you, but rather the collection of ideas being thrown about that because I - and others like myself - refuse to shop there for whatever reason, we think we're better somehow. We're just different.

And because the question was asked, somewhere back in the thread, my grandfather didn't have a money tree. He had this nifty thing called a farm. Where the food used to be grown, you know, to sell to stores. And he fished and hunted. If those resources aren't available to you (nearby farmers, roadside stands, etc), well, sorry to hear that.

[MoonDragn]

When I was unemployed I was eating takeout everyday LOL.

[Aeres_Stormcrow]

My one problem with Wal Mart though is the kind of stuff they sell. Being an action figure collector I need to look for some rarities, and Wal Mart never has anything of the sort. Their toy selection is mostly narrowed down to just whats popular at the moment, like Spiderman and Ninja Turtles. Of course I shouldn't expect a 'family store' to carry any Spawn figures or the Marvel Legends in abundance, and toys are for kiddies so whatever they are into at the moment will be mostly all I see. But the worst thing is, working in receiving I unload the trucks and get dibs on whatever is coming into the store. We will get one box of Marvel Legends for every 20 boxes of Spiderman 2 figures, and then since the ML figures are in high demand and one of toy collectors most sought after current items, the toy collector is left with almost nothing to buy at Wal Mart concerning his hobby. It's like they are ignoring a whole market and don't even realize it. Thats not to say that they have nothing else of value anywhere else in their store, but in the toy department they have next to nothing.

And I can honsetly say that none of the six Wal Marts near me sells anything good in the way of food. In fact their pet food department has more to choose from then their people food department. Grocery shopping at Wal Mart is out of the question for me, unless I want Vienna Sausages. :dinnertim

[Amythest]

Its a moot point really, according to the story there were other stores there already. Its not like its the only eyesore there. Nothing you can really do about it now as its already built. How many of us in the US are living on ancient indian burial grounds?


It is sad but true, the human race is getting larger by the day, eventually it is going to interfer with what many people hold or use to hold as sacred. Eventually there will be no place for grandma and grandpa or mom and dad to be buried, the lands are being raped on and daily basis, and for what, another chain of resturants and stores, or for that 50 story skyscraper that will hold stores and offices. People have become so out of touch with what was once sacred it scares me to think of the future and what it will be like. There is so little space on this earth and the lands are being ripped apart for what we call progress. Cheap labor, is the least of our problems, though it may seem more important then that if you don't have the money to take care of your family. Many families I know are greatful for what money they have. But to sacrifice our sacred and important landmarks for places that in a few years may not even be around is rediculous. Where I live Wal-mart has all but closed down many of the good chain stores that are around, and recently has expanded into a supercenter with a Sam's Club (same company different name because it is a warehouse bulk store). They forced out 5 stores in the shopping center to expand. That is pure wrong. Then they tied up traffic by changing the way people get into and out of the center. I can understand wanting to be a larger store with one stop shopping, but when it hinders on another's stores rights to exsist in and area. It really ticks me off. Though ranting about how much we hate a certain chain of stores is pointless, because we all know that money talks. The Earth, our one and only home, will continue to be destroyed by people that have the money to tare down our forests, rape our sacred and holy grounds, and make a mockery of historical landmarks.

[Zophael]

I hate to say it but there's buttloads of space. I've traveled all over the US and there is tons of empty useless space where people can live and build all the bloody stores they could desire without defiling sacred lands and forests and such. It takes some doing but we can preserve our national treasures and I believe Mexico is no less capable. Our cities aren't even very dense. Take a look at the Netherlands if you want to see how many people can really fit into a small space.

[Darakash]

Take a look at the Netherlands if you want to see how many people can really fit into a small space.

Yeah,in fact netherlands has/have NO natural resources of its own left, and literally has to rely on the rest of the world, as in 100% on imports in order to feed all those people. In environmental circles, this phenomenon (sp?) is literally referred to as the "Netherlands Fallacy."

"Empty, useless, space" is often not what it seems! It is not only history or archeology that makes a space "useful."
DK

[pawnman]

It is sad but true, the human race is getting larger by the day, eventually it is going to interfer with what many people hold or use to hold as sacred. Eventually there will be no place for grandma and grandpa or mom and dad to be buried, the lands are being raped on and daily basis, and for what, another chain of resturants and stores, or for that 50 story skyscraper that will hold stores and offices. People have become so out of touch with what was once sacred it scares me to think of the future and what it will be like. There is so little space on this earth and the lands are being ripped apart for what we call progress. Cheap labor, is the least of our problems, though it may seem more important then that if you don't have the money to take care of your family. Many families I know are greatful for what money they have. But to sacrifice our sacred and important landmarks for places that in a few years may not even be around is rediculous. Where I live Wal-mart has all but closed down many of the good chain stores that are around, and recently has expanded into a supercenter with a Sam's Club (same company different name because it is a warehouse bulk store). They forced out 5 stores in the shopping center to expand. That is pure wrong. Then they tied up traffic by changing the way people get into and out of the center. I can understand wanting to be a larger store with one stop shopping, but when it hinders on another's stores rights to exsist in and area. It really ticks me off. Though ranting about how much we hate a certain chain of stores is pointless, because we all know that money talks. The Earth, our one and only home, will continue to be destroyed by people that have the money to tare down our forests, rape our sacred and holy grounds, and make a mockery of historical landmarks.


Just wait until we dismantle Earth to build a Dyson Sphere.

[Amythest]

You know, not to sound rude or nothing, but there is a bumpersticker I like that kind of fits. It says, "Come the rapture then we will have the planet to ourselves, and she can finally heal." The sensless distruction of lands is just that sensless. No one person owns the lands we rent it for as long as we are live. True there is several million acres of land that is not being used in the mid west of the US, but there be a good reason for that, most (NOT ALL) is barren lands that can not hold a large town or city. Some of the lands are farm lands for the purpose of producing crops for people of this country, and that of our neighbors. Weither beside or on Sacred lands eventually there will be too many people on this earth to sustain life. Our technology, though quickly growing is not at the point where we can build out in space to sustain life for more then a year or two. Millions of dollars go into just transporting needed items to the space stations, and besides, if technology was to develop at a rate where in our lifetimes we will be able to go to say Mars or other planets to make our stake there, in a few hundred years or so, we will have raped those lands too, then what next planet? Sorry, but as far as I am concerned this is our home, and we must take care of her. I am not trying to be argumentative about this, just writing down, what I believe to be true, if you agree with what I say then that is all well and good. But it is an opinion.

And yes, I do shop at Walmart when I don't have the money to shop anywhere else, if that makes me a hypocrit after this and the other post then so be it, but so many people here have put it right. It is a cheap place to shop, but I only do it on a pinch.

[Shatril]

I can already see I'm not going to be in the majority here, but I'm going to go ahead and post...The people protesting this Wal Mart probably are not the "little" people of the area...they are probably people who have more money than they have sense....Probably some of the areas touristy places are afraid they are gonna lose money and employess, I mean hotels are not known for the great wages they pay their waiters and housekeepers etc..Wal Mart is not building on the ruins, just near them....As for Mom and Pop stores...hey, I'm not going to pay up to triple what the chain stores charge just to keep them in business...

Accept times are always changing....Unless there's a biiiig war, a worldwide tsunami to take down population, a new ice age....whatever, you are gonna have to eliminate wetlands, archeological sites, the Alaskan wilderness, and the Rainforest to make room for people. That is unless you want to be in charge of who lives and who dies...
It's not a perfect world, and I surely don't hate Wal Mart...I still have a family to feed and clothe and I've got to save money...Mom and Pop need to find another business to run or retire...

I want to save the wetlands, the tigers in India, the artic Tundra....but a few old Aztec ruins or Hopi ruins or mounds in Southern Georgia ( and I'm Native American) are not more important than helping people in need of earning a living wage..

This article also mentions that the low pay of Wal Mart puts a strain on Californias budget...Oh yeah...like millions of illegal immigrants doesn't do that already......

You know on the surface this seem OK, but there are many other places that these things can and should be put. If it were a matter of this IS the only place then I'm with you, but often this is not the case. This Wal-Mart thing is little fish stuff IMO, but what you have suggested in some of your stuff is what may, in fact, be the cause of global warming which indeed would be equivalent to a New Ice Age or Tsunami. The world has ways of correcting things after a while. We can either stop our crap now, or make is so either we can't live here, or more like our progeny can't live here. I don't know this sounds like a rant to me, but I have a real problem with conspicuous consumption, and short term profits gained at the expense of future life on earth. :rant:

[Zophael]

Yeah,in fact netherlands has/have NO natural resources of its own left, and literally has to rely on the rest of the world, as in 100% on imports in order to feed all those people. In environmental circles, this phenomenon (sp?) is literally referred to as the "Netherlands Fallacy."

"Empty, useless, space" is often not what it seems! It is not only history or archeology that makes a space "useful."
DK

I'm not saying to crowd the whole US like the Netherlands.
The Netherlands was just an example of how people can be consolidated as an option to urban sprawl that is, in my opinion, out of control.
I'm saying that we could consolidate our populations to be less of a burden on our natural and historical resources. Instead of tearing down forests and farms, etc. why not encourage people to build in the wastelands of Nevada or Oregon, etc.

[Doodlebug]

Ugh! That is sickening! :grrrrr: I can't believe why they'd do this! UGH! All most makes me want to boycott the company. Why can't they just put their damn store somewhere else??

[Zophael]

Ugh! That is sickening! :grrrrr: I can't believe why they'd do this! UGH! All most makes me want to boycott the company. Why can't they just put their damn store somewhere else??

Actually it's probably in a great place for their purposes. Lots of tourists and the local traffic. Can't fault'em for wanting a choice location, despite my feelings about getting so close to a historical site.

[charmedkisses1]

wtf :flamer:
i live less than a mile away from a supercenter, the traffic is hell and it seems to grow over time

[Old Witch]

The store has been built for months now.... It wasn't built on the temple grounds, just near it...it was built where other stores existed... Wal Mart didn't steal the land....Wal Mart isn't "disgusting"...children having to dig in trash for food is "disgusting"....Parents having no jobs to even earn a pitiful wage is "disgusting" Wal Mart providing those jobs and inexpensive food and clothing is not disgusting....

People have to live...

[wolf]

wtf :flamer:
i live less than a mile away from a supercenter, the traffic is hell and it seems to grow over time

The Walmart located there because of the existing traffic patterns and population density, it didn't cause them. Basic Economic Geography.

[Zophael]

The Walmart located there because of the existing traffic patterns and population density, it didn't cause them. Basic Economic Geography.

yes and no. Wal-Mart always looks for good locations but invariably a Wal-Mart 'causes greater traffic due to their popularity. This is something most places consider when allowing Wal-Mart to build.

[charmedkisses1]

yes and no. Wal-Mart always looks for good locations but invariably a Wal-Mart 'causes greater traffic due to their popularity. This is something most places consider when allowing Wal-Mart to build.
I think that if it provides jobs it's good, but that is still pretty close.

[rainbowzend]

Thanks for finding this article. There are a lot of people wanting to avoid Wal-Mart these days, between things like this and their contributions to the republican party.

[PaganSoldier]

And to think i used to work for those guys... gah! :goodgrief

[Amythest]

Thanks for finding this article. There are a lot of people wanting to avoid Wal-Mart these days, between things like this and their contributions to the republican party.


Isnt' that just silly, not liking a store because of Political affiliation. Might as well not shop or go anywhere, because everything is run by some sort of politics. Schools, workplaces, manufacturing. If has money coming in, in one form or another there is a connection to politics. Republican or Democrat, they each have their good points and their negative aspects.

[Silver_FireStar]

Walmart....I know the name....ASDA! They took over Asda didn't they? Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad thing. Ruins should be protected.

[trippingdaisy]

Walmart....I know the name....ASDA! They took over Asda didn't they? Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad thing. Ruins should be protected.


silverfirestar, walmart did not 'take over'......ASDA is now just simply 'part of the walmart family'. isnt that nice?...... _whistle_ ;)

[Silver_FireStar]

nooo walmart no have a family, they have slaves Mwahahahahahahaha Walmart enslaved asda.

[pawnman]

nooo walmart no have a family, they have slaves Mwahahahahahahaha Walmart enslaved asda.

Put your companies stock on the public market, and there's always the risk a bigger company will buy it.

[Silver_FireStar]

stock -blink blink- That's like complicated....never understood buisness type things.

[pawnman]

stock -blink blink- That's like complicated....never understood buisness type things.

Ah, well. Then you just have to know that Wal-Mart purchased Asda the way you would buy, say, notebook paper.

[Silver_FireStar]

Any slavery involved?

[pawnman]

Any slavery involved?

Afraid not.

[Silver_FireStar]

-pouts- But no family either trippingdaisy -sticks tongue out- Walmart ABSORBED Asda like the giant blob.

Can you tell I've not eaten yet? I'm in a silly mood

[Darakash]

The really sad part about all this for me personally, is that while I get annoyed by the lack of consideration that Walmart has shown over the years to sacred and historical sites, the inconvenience they have caused local residents with traffic patterns, the low wages and knocking out the "little guys" they have done.....I still have to say that I will not stop shopping there. And there is one very good reason. If I go to my other local grocery stores and shop for a full-week's worth of food, I will spend upwards of $50-70 MORE than I will spend to buy the same amount of food at Walmart's Supercenter here. That is a lot of money...that is my electric, phone, or cable bill (plus change) for the month!

So while i certainly support the rights of people to complain and protest the building of a new store, or takeover of an old one, etc., I would be a huge hypocrite if I did so myself....and here in central FL all of the Walmarts are in shopping plazas in commercial areas of town, so I can't really complain. They also pay higher wages than most of the other retail stores in the area, which isn't much. Ahhh, the joy of knowing you are supporting the big bad guys....sucks, but I don't have much choice if I want my family to eat AND have the lights on!
DK

[Sleet]

They pay lousy wages and treat their employeed like dirt and are contributing to massive offshoring of jobs and build on ancient Aztec ruins.

On the upside... Three dollars for a refrigerator? That's CRAZY!

[WandererInGray]

Isnt' that just silly, not liking a store because of Political affiliation. Might as well not shop or go anywhere, because everything is run by some sort of politics. Schools, workplaces, manufacturing. If has money coming in, in one form or another there is a connection to politics. Republican or Democrat, they each have their good points and their negative aspects.
Actually that's not silly. We can vote with our dollars just as much as we can on a ballot.

I made the personal decision to stop shopping at WalMart about 6 months ago. The personal decision not to buy into the materialistic mania that they push. Cheap, easy products that wear out quickly. It's not actually saving you money to buy a $5 shirt at WalMart that wears out after three months if the $15 dollar shirt lasts you for two years.

We talk about the bargins that WalMart offers, but rarely talk about the price that those bargins come at. Someone...somewhere is taking a whallop as far as payment goes. *shrugs* I can, at the moment, afford not to shop at WalMart, so I don't. But even when it would have been financially a "good idea" I just did what people around the world have done for ages.

Did without.

But like I said that's a personal decision and not one I'm going to force on others.

[trippingdaisy]

-pouts- But no family either trippingdaisy -sticks tongue out- Walmart ABSORBED Asda like the giant blob.

Can you tell I've not eaten yet? I'm in a silly mood

*LOL* the next time you are at ASDA, look on the big sign leading into it. it actually says "part of the walmart family"..... at least it does round our way
:lol:

[MoonDragn]

You know, I've never been to walmart. Ever.

[Darakash]

Cheap, easy products that wear out quickly. It's not actually saving you money to buy a $5 shirt at WalMart that wears out after three months if the $15 dollar shirt lasts you for two years.


Totally understand...but I personally am talking about FOOD, not junk. Some brief examples of differences in prices btw their groceries and other local stores....they add up quick:

Gallon of Milk Walmart:$2.59 Other Local: 3.99
Loaf of wheat Bread: Walmart: $.89 Other Local $1.59
18 pack of eggs: Walmart $1.18 Other Local $1.89
Peanut Butter: Walmart $2.69 Other Local 3.99
Cereal (average) $2.50 Other Local 3.99

That is about $5.60 on just 5 items....if you take those and add enough groceries to feed 3 people for a week, you see what I am saying. These are not things I can just "do without." Again, i am not saying "Yay Walmart!" here, just pointing out the realities for a lot of us who do shop there.

DK

[WandererInGray]

*nods* That I can understand Darakash (though it makes one wonder how people afforded food before WalMart came along), since I have the ability to shop at a commissary and get to pay lower prices for food without having to go to a WalMart.

[Silver_FireStar]

*LOL* the next time you are at ASDA, look on the big sign leading into it. it actually says "part of the walmart family"..... at least it does round our way
:lol:
So just because a sign says it's family that means it's gotta be true. I believe the aincient greeks classed their slave children as family, yet when it comes down to inheritance, not one penny whent to them.

[Sequoia]

*nods* That I can understand Darakash (though it makes one wonder how people afforded food before WalMart came along), since I have the ability to shop at a commissary and get to pay lower prices for food without having to go to a WalMart.

Hey there, nice to see you in this thread!

Well... a lot of people didn't afford food before walmart... I do think it has provided a viable alternative for folks who have families and not a whole lot of income. Also, it's true that a cheaply made shirt won't last as long - but when you really need a shirt (say for an interview - might be your chance to earn more!) and all you have is that five dollars... well, it can be a real godsend! (LOL though putting that into a context... "Walmart is a Godsend!" :rotfl: that sounds silly!)

And anyhow, I've gotten clothes there that lasted years... :) I guess it depends on how you take care of them, what they were like in the first place, etc.

You can also get clothes very cheaply at Ross, just not with the dependability of styles as Walmart. And the upside is that they're actual department store stuff. See a lot of Sears and Macy's brands there.

But when it comes to household appliances, toiletries (same brands!), even pet food (their "special kitty" line for example is all that my cat will eat... she prefers it over Iams! :foh: ), I haven't found a single store, Mom & Pop, outlet, or otherwise... even on sale... that can match up to the savings I get from Walmart.

[WandererInGray]

*shrugs* Like I said Sequoia, it's a personal moral choice for me not to shop there. If it costs me a couple of extra bucks to pay more for something somewhere else, then I budget accordingly. :)

That was actually a rhetorical comment about the people affording food, obviously they did. Affordable food didn't begin with WalMart - but it's just what they want you to think.

[Sequoia]

*shrugs* Like I said Sequoia, it's a personal moral choice for me not to shop there. If it costs me a couple of extra bucks to pay more for something somewhere else, then I budget accordingly. :)

That was actually a rhetorical comment about the people affording food, obviously they did. Affordable food didn't begin with WalMart - but it's just what they want you to think.

:lol: of course there was 'affordable' food before... you know, the breads that were baked three days ago, canned foods, stuff like that...

On the upside, think of it this way: it's easier for folks to give charity, because they can afford to buy more food, clothing, or toys to donate.

I'm not forcing anyone to shop at Walmart 8O, just to realize how useful it is for many people.

[WandererInGray]

*smiles* Sorry sweetie, but my faith doesn't allow me to substitute "useful" as an excuse for condoning something that is clearly bad for an equal or greater number of human beings out there.

Less for more. I'd rather have to pay more money for a loaf of bread and know that my father is going to get a greater cut of it. Than pay bottom dollar and know that most of that will go to some corporate giant who could give a flying pig about my family's livelihood.

[Tina]

There is a few things I dont like about walmart, how they dont really take care of the fish they sell, Everytime I am in there I can't look at all the dead fish it makes me mad!!! Also how their pants rarely ever fit right or are made right for that matter(most of thier clothes are crappy anyways) Yes there clothes are cheap, cheaply made, but cost more than they are worth! You can find some clothing worth buying though. Other then that they are a pretty good store though. I don't really think they have to build next to the ruins but I don't really have a problem with it either!

[Darakash]

There is a few things I dont like about walmart, how they dont really take care of the fish they sell, Everytime I am in there I can't look at all the dead fish it makes me mad!!!

Ewwww! I don't think any of the ones near me have live animals! I have seen some nasty conditions in a lot of pet stores with fish though....especially those with sort of narrow ranges of tolerance like Betas and such....that pisses me off too!

[PeatBog]

*bump* someone said we need another WalMart thread

[pawnman]

*smiles* Sorry sweetie, but my faith doesn't allow me to substitute "useful" as an excuse for condoning something that is clearly bad for an equal or greater number of human beings out there.

Less for more. I'd rather have to pay more money for a loaf of bread and know that my father is going to get a greater cut of it. Than pay bottom dollar and know that most of that will go to some corporate giant who could give a flying pig about my family's livelihood.

That's the beauty of capitalism...you're free to shop where ever you want. On my budget, I'll keep paying bottom dollar, thank you much.

[WiccanGoddess]

*bump* someone said we need another WalMart thread



Oh, good. Two threads I can defend Wallyworld in. ;)

[maeli]

eh, I'm a Target fan.

[Sequoia]

I'd like to point out that Walmart was originally a family-owned operation, and still mostly is. A family founded it, raised it, and became billionaires.

Family Owned and Struggling = Good
Family Owned and Successful = Bad

Appearantly.

[pawnman]

I'd like to point out that Walmart was originally a family-owned operation, and still mostly is. A family founded it, raised it, and became billionaires.

Family Owned and Struggling = Good
Family Owned and Successful = Bad

Appearantly.

Seems to be the trend. Bill Gates started Microsoft in his dad's garage, but now that he's successful, people think he's the anti-christ.

[Doctor Jeep]

Ah, yes. WalMart is a savior for people who can't afford necessities otherwise.

I'll keep that in mind the next time I see those cartfulls of $6 DVDs, Krispy Kreme donuts and garden gnomes being tossed into an SUV. ;)

[Jenne]

Ah, yes. WalMart is a savior for people who can't afford necessities otherwise.

I'll keep that in mind the next time I see those cartfulls of $6 DVDs, Krispy Kreme donuts and garden gnomes being tossed into an SUV. ;)

:lol: Whatcha got against Krispy Kremes, DJ?

[Doctor Jeep]

:lol: Whatcha got against Krispy Kremes, DJ?

Oh, nothing at all. They're like crack, really. Just don't see them as a necessity.

Does anyone else laugh when they see a Hummer parked in a WalMart lot? I sure do. :D

[WokeUpDead]

:lol: Whatcha got against Krispy Kremes, DJ?
Same thing people have against crack? It's habit forming and can tear a family (or pants) apart.

edit: Wow same time as DJ's post :lol:

[Jenne]

D'oh! 2 out of 2 MW'ers think Krispy Kremes = CRACK!

:abbed:

[Doctor Jeep]

D'oh! 2 out of 2 MW'ers think Krispy Kremes = CRACK!

:abbed:

DJ,
Looks straight ahead and tries not to breathe when driving by the local Krispy Kreme shop. A relapse is all too easy.

[maeli]

Just to note, everytime I go into walmart I always end up with way more than I went in for....so I have to ask my self. "am I really saving money" and is it worth it to circle the parking lot for hours to find a space, then wait in those long a## lines only to have it raining outside but your parked like a mile away. So you have to push that cart full of crap you didn't come to get in the first place full speed to your car and then it takes you another hour to get out of the parking lot.

but ya gotta love it!

[HetHert]

Oh, nothing at all. They're like crack, really. Just don't see them as a necessity.

Does anyone else laugh when they see a Hummer parked in a WalMart lot? I sure do. :D

Yup, and I've even seen a Lotus.

[WokeUpDead]

D'oh! 2 out of 2 MW'ers think Krispy Kremes = CRACK!

:abbed:
Actually I don't have anything against them I just felt like saying it. Starbucks = Crack. The only reason it's legal is because it's not an urban/slum drug.


Something about SUV's
Actually the people I see at Walmart are creepy guys with moustaches driving POS pickup trucks or toothless ladies with 13 kids in the back of an El Camino. One time one of them gave me about a nasty staredown for about a minute and was blocking my way because she wanted the parking spot. I wasn't even after the spot. I was just passing through. I see lots of SUV's in the parking lot but I don't see people going in and out of them. The only reason I go anywhere near Wal Mart is because I have to go through the parking lot to get to In N Out.

[Jenne]

Actually I don't have anything against them I just felt like saying it. Starbucks = Crack. The only reason it's legal is because it's not an urban/slum drug.


Actually the people I see at Walmart are creepy guys with moustaches driving POS pickup trucks or toothless ladies with 13 kids in the back of an El Camino. One time one of them gave me about a nasty staredown for about a minute and was blocking my way because she wanted the parking spot. I wasn't even after the spot. I was just passing through. I see lots of SUV's in the parking lot but I don't see people going in and out of them. The only reason I go anywhere near Wal Mart is because I have to go through the parking lot to get to In N Out.

Fourbucks is DEFINITELY crack!

And In N Out is da bomb! :boing:

[Shanti]

Let me get this right, if you have money your not allowed to save a buck by shopping at walmart? That's seems a little ridiculus in my opinion.

Walmart isn't fair to its employees, heck most larger companies around here are not fair to employees and some are a lot worse than walmart!

If your poor and shop at walmart you must own an expensive vehicle cause no truly poor people shop there?

And walmart builds where it causes controversy!! Oh my that's new for companies!!~sarcasm~

Guess what, it a dam store not really any different from any other discount store!!

If you don't like it, don't shop there.

I personally rather get my pack of toilet paper for 4 bucks than the 6 bucks the same pack cost at the other store is my area! Sue me!!

[Doctor Jeep]

Let me get this right, if you have money your not allowed to save a buck by shopping at walmart? That's seems a little ridiculus in my opinion.

:lol: Nothing wrong with that, no. All I'm saying, in an (attempted) humorous way, is that it's a little foolish to more or less present the idea that only poor, near-starving people who wouldn't eat otherwise shop at WalMart as a defense for the monster the company has become.

I don't think WalMart is TEH EVIL, but I don't think it's the shining beacon of light/paragon of virtue others see it as either.

[Shanti]

:lol: Nothing wrong with that, no. All I'm saying, in an (attempted) humorous way, is that it's a little foolish to more or less present the idea that only poor, near-starving people who wouldn't eat otherwise shop at WalMart as a defense for the monster the company has become.

I don't think WalMart is TEH EVIL, but I don't think it's the shining beacon of light/paragon of virtue others see it as either. I see!! That's funny...I think all financial classes and people from all different walks of life shop there!!!

Yeah, a tad foolish, I agree.

Hey that would be screwed up if only the truly poor made walmart a fortune 500 company!! We have a lot of poor in our country, but heck not that many and like they are the ones spending tons of cash!! LOL

Oh and I think with the lower prices, Walmart is a help to the poor, heck many need that discounted savings, but I don't think the poor help walmarts profits all that much, since they are buying necessities, not the TV's!!!

[HetHert]

Fourbucks is DEFINITELY crack!

And In N Out is da bomb! :boing:

ROFL I call it Crapbucks because thats all it does to you after you down a quadshot. EW much :p

[Sequoia]

Walmart isn't fair to its employees, heck most larger companies around here are not fair to employees and some are a lot worse than walmart!
Not to mention that they're completely abiding by the law. If you think they're evil, well gosh, vote and CHANGE THE LAW. If you think it's evil to build on archeological sites (and believe me, half of modern Europe wouldn't exist if that was outlawed), CHANGE THE LAW. Of course, it helps if you live where they're building it.

Retail stores aren't meant to be manned by college graduates looking to earn $12 an hour and up. You're standing in front of a CASH REGISTER, for the love of crap. Used to be that high schoolers and dropouts worked in retail stores. Now people expect to have a whole career there with health insurance and everything, appearantly.

Heck, pretty soon robots and computers will be doing that job. And then we'll hear about how evil Walmart is for using robots instead of paying people minimum wage to work there.

[Shanti]

Not to mention that they're completely abiding by the law. If you think they're evil, well gosh, vote and CHANGE THE LAW. If you think it's evil to build on archeological sites (and believe me, half of modern Europe wouldn't exist if that was outlawed), CHANGE THE LAW. Of course, it helps if you live where they're building it.

Retail stores aren't meant to be manned by college graduates looking to earn $12 an hour and up. You're standing in front of a CASH REGISTER, for the love of crap. Used to be that high schoolers and dropouts worked in retail stores. Now people expect to have a whole career there with health insurance and everything, appearantly.

Heck, pretty soon robots and computers will be doing that job. And then we'll hear about how evil Walmart is for using robots instead of paying people minimum wage to work there.

I agree.

And our min wage is 6.50, the state changed it for us. Its working fine so far too. No changes really that are blamed on the increase. But too, many, heck most places, paid above Fed min anyway. So for most, it didnt do anything.

[PeatBog]

The highest-paid laborers, professional athletes, are unionized for a reason. People bought into the notion that labor unions are bad for them. I'd like to see WalMart workers form a union, but don't see it happening anytime soon.

[Sequoia]

The highest-paid laborers, professional athletes, are unionized for a reason. People bought into the notion that labor unions are bad for them. I'd like to see WalMart workers form a union, but don't see it happening anytime soon.
Grocery store workers around here have a union. And you have to pay around $500 just to join it. And you must be part of the union in order to be hired. To make close to minimum wage as a bagger or cashier. Unions aren't always that impressive.

Might I add that Walmart adjusts it's "minimum wage" dependent upon the area that it's in? There was a Walmart here in the Bay Area paying $10/hr for cashiers, since there was no way in hell anybody'd survive on the legal minimum wage (which is like... $7.65 I think, here in Cali).

I still think it's rediculous to argue that cashiers and cart clerks should be making as much as an administrative position does. You aren't supposed to make a career out of cashiering.

[PeatBog]

That union sounds messed up. But looking at my past jobs, the union jobs were by far the best, best pay, best hours, best working conditions.

[PeatBog]

The ridiculousness of a cashier being paid same as an office clerk is nothing compared to the excess of CEO salaries and benefits. Their lifestyles are often so extravagant, some of them have $5,000/mo. home UTILITY bills.

[Doctor Jeep]

Heck, pretty soon robots and computers will be doing that job. And then we'll hear about how evil Walmart is for using robots instead of paying people minimum wage to work there.
At the WMs I've been in, that's already happening.

However, I don't think this is evil, because the computers are warmer and have more personality than the human cashiers do. :viking:

[halfwaynowhere]

Grocery store workers around here have a union. And you have to pay around $500 just to join it. And you must be part of the union in order to be hired. To make close to minimum wage as a bagger or cashier. Unions aren't always that impressive.
[/b]

yep. i used to work for a grocery store. they let you work there for 3 months without joining the union, but by the time they wanted me to pay to join, they had cut my hours back to 9 hours a week, while company policy clearly states that the minimum for my position was 16 hours a week. so i made about $60 after taxes, and couldn't afford to pay the union dues. not to mention the fact that i had to work there for 18 months before i would see any benefits, and because i was 17 at the time, i couldn't get promoted. so instead of paying, i quit. because in california, if they say you have to join the union, you don't have a choice. unions aren't necessarily all that great, although i could see how they can be helpful for others...

[Azul]

I'd like to point out that Walmart was originally a family-owned operation, and still mostly is. A family founded it, raised it, and became billionaires.

Family Owned and Struggling = Good
Family Owned and Successful = Bad

Appearantly.


No, if you take the time to try to understand where people are coming from, its all what you do to earn your money, and then what you do with it.

Aside from that, it seems people are defending walmart in every action they take, and they were treating their employees in ways that broke the law, that is why they are going to court over it in several cases.

The end does not justify the means. Im very careful with what i buy, where i buy from, and what companies i use. No one, and nothing, now or ever, should have to suffer for me to get something...even if its 89 cents a can.

[Crysiira]

I still think it's rediculous to argue that cashiers and cart clerks should be making as much as an administrative position does. You aren't supposed to make a career out of cashiering.

I agree with this, but I also have to say that sometimes situations require doing something you aren't 'supposed' to. My mother was a home-maker for twelve years; she loved it. My dad is a farmer, though, and the fact is that farmers just don't make very much money. The only reason it was financially possible for my mother to stay at home is because the farms my dad worked for provided housing. Unfortunately, that couldn't last forever. He had a lot of issues working at the farm he did and had to move on (or explode). The farm he's working at now is the first farm he's worked for in a very long time that doesn't provide housing... so suddenly, my mother who hasn't had any work experience in the last twelve years has to go get a job. She tried very hard to get a job at a factory or a bank or anything other than cashiering. Sadly, only Wal-mart would hire her. She was promised that when she worked there for three months, insurance would be available to her. So she took the job. For those three months, they had to pay for insurance that they couldn't afford, since her working put their combined income at a fraction over the limit for state-assisted insurance. She thought that would be okay since she'd be getting insurance from WalMart soon. Guess what? When those three months were up, and WalMart offered her insurance, it came with a tremendous stipulation..... It costed so much more than she actually made, it would be a ridiculous step to pay for WalMart insurance. It would eat up not only her paycheck much much more as well. There was no sliding-scale option available. So immediately she began applying other places, but because of her twelve-year blank in work history, still no one else would hire her.

Luckily, a year and a half later, she was able to talk her way into a factory job and she's doing much better. I'm so proud of my mom. But not everyone can do that. I agree, as a cashier myself, that we're only paid so much for a reason, because the work we do is not rocket science. But when you look at each individual situation, it becomes apparent that there has to be something else we can do for the problems arising from low incomes. This is not just WalMart, I don't have major issues with WalMart, I know they're the "big bad evil corporation," but I shop there often because of my own income situation. I buy elsewhere as much as possible, and I skimp on other things as much as possible, and yes, I have gone without buying any food other than bread, peanut butter and jelly for weeks on end. The simple fact is, it sucks being poor, and there just has to be more that the government can do to help us.

[pawnman]

Same thing people have against crack? It's habit forming and can tear a family (or pants) apart.

edit: Wow same time as DJ's post :lol:

I've never seen someone lose their job or house to Krispy Kreme donuts.

[pawnman]

:lol: Nothing wrong with that, no. All I'm saying, in an (attempted) humorous way, is that it's a little foolish to more or less present the idea that only poor, near-starving people who wouldn't eat otherwise shop at WalMart as a defense for the monster the company has become.

I don't think WalMart is TEH EVIL, but I don't think it's the shining beacon of light/paragon of virtue others see it as either.

It has no morals. It's a collection of people. It is no more good or evil than your house or car.

[pawnman]

Grocery store workers around here have a union. And you have to pay around $500 just to join it. And you must be part of the union in order to be hired. To make close to minimum wage as a bagger or cashier. Unions aren't always that impressive.

Might I add that Walmart adjusts it's "minimum wage" dependent upon the area that it's in? There was a Walmart here in the Bay Area paying $10/hr for cashiers, since there was no way in hell anybody'd survive on the legal minimum wage (which is like... $7.65 I think, here in Cali).

I still think it's rediculous to argue that cashiers and cart clerks should be making as much as an administrative position does. You aren't supposed to make a career out of cashiering.

Indeed. One wonders why Wal-mart gets hammered for paying it's employees too little, but McDonald's does not face the same pressures.

[Pandy Fackler]

America's new name will now go from Jesusland to Wal-Martopia.

[bshore]

I've only read a handful of posts, but I'd like to point out a few things to those who are defending wal-mart.

First, people seem to love that the prices are low at wal-mart. I realize that there are quite a few people who honestly couldn't afford to buy basic necessities without such low prices, but the vast majority use wal-mart's 24 hour clearance sale as an excuse to buy tons of cheap crap. This is dirrectly related to a personal belief of mine that people do not need a hundred knick knacks and a dozen extra kitchen appliances, therefore, I believe that without wal-mart's low prices, people would be buying fewer things at a higher price from local stores which treat workers better and (usually) provide some community services.

Second, I find it alarming that some people are untroubled at the prospect of destroying land right next to a historical, religious, and cultural landmark. Places like these are prescious and should be preserved. If wal-mart builds there it may send a message that most people don't care about such places and they will soon all be in jeopardy. I don't want to get preachy, but most Pagans identify with a certain historical culture, and I believe that someone like that would support preserving historical and cultural artifacts and sites.

[pawnman]

I've only read a handful of posts, but I'd like to point out a few things to those who are defending wal-mart.

First, people seem to love that the prices are low at wal-mart. I realize that there are quite a few people who honestly couldn't afford to buy basic necessities without such low prices, but the vast majority use wal-mart's 24 hour clearance sale as an excuse to buy tons of cheap crap. This is dirrectly related to a personal belief of mine that people do not need a hundred knick knacks and a dozen extra kitchen appliances, therefore, I believe that without wal-mart's low prices, people would be buying fewer things at a higher price from local stores which treat workers better and (usually) provide some community services.

Second, I find it alarming that some people are untroubled at the prospect of destroying land right next to a historical, religious, and cultural landmark. Places like these are prescious and should be preserved. If wal-mart builds there it may send a message that most people don't care about such places and they will soon all be in jeopardy. I don't want to get preachy, but most Pagans identify with a certain historical culture, and I believe that someone like that would support preserving historical and cultural artifacts and sites.

The land issue is one for the local governments. Tell them to quit seizing it through emminent domain. Wal-Mart doesn't have the ability to take land that the owners don't want to sell.

Most local stores provide a fraction of the funding for local activities that Wal-Mart does. When I worked for one back in Dayton, we gave over $2 million to the surrounding community for schools, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and animal shelters.

[bshore]

The land issue is one for the local governments. Tell them to quit seizing it through emminent domain. Wal-Mart doesn't have the ability to take land that the owners don't want to sell.

Most local stores provide a fraction of the funding for local activities that Wal-Mart does. When I worked for one back in Dayton, we gave over $2 million to the surrounding community for schools, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and animal shelters.

The land issue is for local governments, and I do voice my opinion when my government does something I don't agree with. Do you do the same? How do you feel about them seizing land? That's what I'm getting at: I want to know why you (all of you who responded as pro wal-mart) don't seem to care that this is happening.

Local stores may provide a fraction of the funding that wal-mart does, but that is probably because they recieve a fraction of the revenue that wal-mart does.

[FreedomSpirit]

I work for the h*** hole known as wal-mart. I can personally vouch for the shabby treatment, heavy pressure, low pay, and unfair treatment (because I'm female).

Wal-mart is not the family friendly, happy go lucky paradise that it passes itself off as. It just has good p.r. men.

Employs come out of there at the end of every shift, stressed out, over worked, angry and frustrated every day 364 days a year (they only close for Christmas). I see it and I experience it at the end of every work night - no one can tell me different. I'm there.

[Sequoia]

I work for the h*** hole known as wal-mart. I can personally vouch for the shabby treatment, heavy pressure, low pay, and unfair treatment (because I'm female).

Wal-mart is not the family friendly, happy go lucky paradise that it passes itself off as. It just has good p.r. men.

Employs come out of there at the end of every shift, stressed out, over worked, angry and frustrated every day 364 days a year (they only close for Christmas). I see it and I experience it at the end of every work night - no one can tell me different. I'm there.
I've worked for four (4) different retail chains, and I'll tell you one thing, they're ALL like that. Every retail place I've worked in wasn't worth the pay. And yet, I had no skills, and needed cash.

Retail jobs aren't supposed to be a fun, happy, stress-free work environment, folks. You can't expect a happy pansy place when you're pushing buttons for seven bucks an hour. Honestly. If you don't like it... get some job experience and MOVE UP in the world. That's what I did. That's what anyone can do.

I'm 21, with no college degree, making over $35,000 a year. This from a female who grew up on welfare. Don't come crying to me if you don't like your job. I didn't like my first ones, either. I worked my butt off, studdied, and presented myself professionally.

[WiccanGoddess]

I honestly don't see how the Walmart corporation is ever truly to blame for one's personal experiences.

I had great experiences at my local Walmart. Fair pay, fair benefits, and great customer satisfaction for when I wasn't working. The hours were always negotiable, the pay was a fair minimum wage, the employers were always kind...it was the greatest working atmosphere I have experienced yet.

It all coes down to personal experience. Putting the blame on the corporation is generalizing the corporation. What one Walmart does in the city, I can guarantee, is going to be different from the ones in the 'burbs.

I have yet to experience negativity from a Walmart.

From Target and Kmart, yes. Target is where I have experienced workers unwilling to help. Workers at Walmart are always willing to help. Kmart is just plain dirty and disgusting. The shelves are filthy.

See? Personal experience. There is no fact that Walmart is horrible. Only theory and opinion.

[PeatBog]

Retail jobs aren't supposed to be a fun, happy, stress-free work environment, folks. You can't expect a happy pansy place when you're pushing buttons for seven bucks an hour. Honestly. If you don't like it... get some job experience and MOVE UP in the world. That's what I did. That's what anyone can do.


Still, employees should be able to leave at the end of their shift, not work off-the-clock, and take their breaks, for starters. Also, some may consider health insurance benefits and such extravagant, but it's not nearly as extravagant as the owners' profits and CEO's salary and benefits. Alot of people are never promoted to management, some because they aren't "grey flannel" material.

And hopefully, WalMart is no longer taking out "dead peasant" insurance on their employees.

[SerenityMoon]

I've worked for four (4) different retail chains, and I'll tell you one thing, they're ALL like that. Every retail place I've worked in wasn't worth the pay. And yet, I had no skills, and needed cash.

Retail jobs aren't supposed to be a fun, happy, stress-free work environment, folks. You can't expect a happy pansy place when you're pushing buttons for seven bucks an hour. Honestly. If you don't like it... get some job experience and MOVE UP in the world. That's what I did. That's what anyone can do.

I'm 21, with no college degree, making over $35,000 a year. This from a female who grew up on welfare. Don't come crying to me if you don't like your job. I didn't like my first ones, either. I worked my butt off, studdied, and presented myself professionally.

Indeed. Welcome to retail. It's not fun.

If someone does, by chance, get into a great retail job, then that's wonderful. But in general, retail jobs are ALWAYS stressful, ALWAYS full of inconsistances, ALWAYS have scheduling issues, and tend to suck, period.

People who work at retail stores aren't uneducated, but it's NOT a job that requires huge amounts of skill. You learn which buttons do what, count money, and stock items. That's it.

How often do you see retail stores on the list at career day? =P

[SerenityMoon]

Still, employees should be able to leave at the end of their shift, not work off-the-clock, and take their breaks, for starters. Also, some may consider health insurance benefits and such extravagant, but it's not nearly as extravagant as the owners' profits and CEO's salary and benefits. Alot of people are never promoted to management, some because they aren't "grey flannel" material.

And hopefully, WalMart is no longer taking out "dead peasant" insurance on their employees.

Yes, they should. But the reality of the matter is that, a lot of the times, they don't. And this isn't just Wal-mart that does it. That's Sequoia's point. It is NOT just Wal-mart. MOST retail places are run lik ethat.

[WiccanGoddess]

Yes, they should. But the reality of the matter is that, a lot of the times, they don't. And this isn't just Wal-mart that does it. That's Sequoia's point. It is NOT just Wal-mart. MOST retail places are run lik ethat.

Why am I not surprised to see you here? ;)

Looking back at your posts, I can't say I have met one point that I disagree on. But, then again, everyone here knows my views on Walmart. 8O

[SerenityMoon]

Why am I not surprised to see you here? ;)

Looking back at your posts, I can't say I have met one point that I disagree on. But, then again, everyone here knows my views on Walmart. 8O

Becuase I am sneaky like ninja. XD

Indeed. I agree on all of your wal-mart points, too. XD

I <3 WAL-MART WOO.

(..>_> Yes, I'm still hyper.)

[OrionNeb87]

Walmart... I'm on the fence about my feelings for Walmart. On the one hand they have good prices, and carry a lot of the things I need. On the other hand I have heard some horror stories from friends and family who have worked there. So I'm not entirely sure if I like Walmart or not. But I still shop there if only for convenience. I've had a bad experience with Target so if there's any store I'm against its Target. But thats personal.

I'm mainly in agreement with those who say that a lot of retail stores are like that which is why I don't work at one. I guess as with anything, there are going to be people who love it, hate it, or just don't care. Its all personal preference. :)

[pawnman]

The land issue is for local governments, and I do voice my opinion when my government does something I don't agree with. Do you do the same? How do you feel about them seizing land? That's what I'm getting at: I want to know why you (all of you who responded as pro wal-mart) don't seem to care that this is happening.

Local stores may provide a fraction of the funding that wal-mart does, but that is probably because they recieve a fraction of the revenue that wal-mart does.

I do care. I think it's completely abusive and irresponsible the way that local governments seize land from private owners, particularly to sell it to large corporations. But that's a local government issue (since the supreme court gave them all the big thumbs up to grab anything they want), not a Walmart issue.

As for local store providing a fraction of the funding...it doesn't matter what the reason is. Wal-mart is still a larger benefactor to the communities it resides in than the local mom-and-pop stores. Walmart's biggest advantage is it's supply chain, not it's treatment of employees. The one thing that Walmart does differently than everyone else is the supply chain. When I worked there, I was amazed at the benefits and pay that I could get there compared to the other jobs available. My job was the envy of my high school friends, including one or two who worked for union retail jobs, Kroger's and Meijers.

[PeatBog]

Wal-mart is still a larger benefactor to the communities it resides in than the local mom-and-pop stores.

You're looking at the amount, not the percentage.

[pawnman]

You're looking at the amount, not the percentage.

If they dole out larger amounts, that pretty much means a larger percentage.

[PeatBog]

Uh, math lesson: A- 2/10 , B - 1/4 . Company A gave $2 out of $10 of profit. Company B gave $1 out of $4 of profit. Company A gave twice as much as company B, but a lesser percentage .... A gave 20% of their profit, B gave 25% their smaller profit.

[PeatBog]

Besides, ma&pa stores ARE the local community. I'd much rather profits stay in my local community than being sent off to Bentonville, Arkansas.

[pawnman]

Uh, math lesson: A- 2/10 , B - 1/4 . Company A gave $2 out of $10 of profit. Company B gave $1 out of $4 of profit. Company A gave twice as much as company B, but a lesser percentage .... A gave 20% of their profit, B gave 25% their smaller profit.

Ah, larger portion of their revenue, not larger contribution percentage.

Perhaps...but if you were a school, would you rather have $100,000 that was 25% of a company's profits, or $1 million that was 5% of a company's profits?

[fahawk]

I had missed seeing this thread before now..
but..
I guess I will be one of the few...I HAVE NEVER been in, or shopped at Wal-mart..
my son and 2 youngest havent either,....
it sort of just started as...everyone saying we should, we had too..why werent we? ..so we said laughingly, we wont.. and now havent..:)

Personally prices or not..there isnt anything that I cant live without...

second where we live..a number of wal-marts have eaten up rural areas and farm land..once it is gone..you dont ever get that back..

[WiccanGoddess]

But is it just Walmart eating up farm and rural land? I mean, seriously.

In my account, Walmart has carefully chosen it's four locations.

Whereas, Target just threw itself where a beautiful orchard used to be.

Again, PE. (Personal Experience.)

[pawnman]

I had missed seeing this thread before now..
but..
I guess I will be one of the few...I HAVE NEVER been in, or shopped at Wal-mart..
my son and 2 youngest havent either,....
it sort of just started as...everyone saying we should, we had too..why werent we? ..so we said laughingly, we wont.. and now havent..:)

Personally prices or not..there isnt anything that I cant live without...

second where we live..a number of wal-marts have eaten up rural areas and farm land..once it is gone..you dont ever get that back..

Better stop buying Tyson, Bird's Eye, and Swanson's...they've gobbled up plenty of farms themselves.

[SerenityMoon]

But is it just Walmart eating up farm and rural land? I mean, seriously.

In my account, Walmart has carefully chosen it's four locations.

Whereas, Target just threw itself where a beautiful orchard used to be.

Again, PE. (Personal Experience.)

That's what I don't get. People are acting like other large chains aren't throwing themselves on land.

You know, the media doesn't report everything. They report what will get the most reaction.

[OrionNeb87]

That's what I don't get. People are acting like other large chains aren't throwing themselves on land.

You know, the media doesn't report everything. They report what will get the most reaction.

Very true especially that last line.

[SerenityMoon]

Very true especially that last line.

*Nods* Judging from MysticWicks alone, a lot of people seem to hate Wal-mart. Well, of course the media picks up on that, and the minute Wal-mart does something that may be frowned upon, they report on it.

[pawnman]

That's what I don't get. People are acting like other large chains aren't throwing themselves on land.

You know, the media doesn't report everything. They report what will get the most reaction.

I call it, the "success penalty". When you get successful, people get mad at you.

[PeatBog]

..but if you were a school, would you rather have $100,000 that was 25% of a company's profits, or $1 million that was 5% of a company's profits?

WalMart has replaced more than one small business. You add up the contributions from all of them combined, which, assuming your percentages and ten local businesses closed, would yield $5 million lost in contributions from small businesses to that school.

[WiccanGoddess]

The media reports on the negatives. Of course they're going to show off Walmart as negative. If they showed it off as positive, it wouldn't be news.

In fact, just the other day, Target came on the news with negatives just as bad as the ones Walmart is accused of. But not the corporation, itself, but the local company.

[Azul]

I call it, the "success penalty". When you get successful, people get mad at you.


Its not that at all, the problem is that people just assume that is why people dislike the company and feel the need to defend the store to the death.

Walmart is taking jobs away from Americans and giving them to overseas workers to save money. They are not just killing off mom and pop stores, but every other company that cant take their prices as low as Walmart can. Its just so many more things than what is acctually being reported by the media, and to be honest the media isn't even reporting enough on walmart.

[SerenityMoon]

I call it, the "success penalty". When you get successful, people get mad at you.

LMAO. I'm starting to notice that.




Its not that at all, the problem is that people just assume that is why people dislike the company and feel the need to defend the store to the death.



Don't make this one-sided. On the SAME exact token, people who DON'T like it also feel the need to defend their point to the death.

*Shrugs* The people who like it all seem to like it for the same reasons:

-Their own local walmarts are clean, with friendly helpful staff
-They do not seem to have the same problems those on the "con" side seem to have at their own wal-marts
-They have worked for wal-mart and have had positive experiences, despite the negative experiences others have had
-They enjoy the convenience, low prices, and decent quality

[WiccanGoddess]

Walmart is taking jobs away from Americans and giving them to overseas workers to save money.


See, I see it differntly. I see Walmart as not doing this to save money, but doing this to show generousity.

I for one think Walmart is getting reported on too much. I'll agree if anyone says this: Walmart uses the publicity.

I still will never see how it comes down to the corporation fully. *shrug*

And I also don't see it being just Walmart killing off the 'mom and pop' stores. Any and every big company is involved in this situation. Not just Walmart.




Don't make this one-sided. On the SAME exact token, people who DON'T like it also feel the need to defend their point to the death.

*Shrugs* The people who like it all seem to like it for the same reasons:

-Their own local walmarts are clean, with friendly helpful staff
-They do not seem to have the same problems those on the "con" side seem to have at their own wal-marts
-They have worked for wal-mart and have had positive experiences, despite the negative experiences others have had
-They enjoy the convenience, low prices, and decent quality


Oh, dear, I'm feeling a sense of Deja Vu. *frowns*

[SerenityMoon]

Oh, dear, I'm feeling a sense of Deja Vu. *frowns*

*Sings with Ace of Base*

My deja vuuuu you're my obsession~

My deja vuuu it's only yoooou.

XDDD

Hey, all I did was state the basic reasons why people seem to like wal-mart. That's TOTALLY keeping with discussion. *Nods*

[WiccanGoddess]

*Sings with Ace of Base*

My deja vuuuu you're my obsession~

My deja vuuu it's only yoooou.

XDDD

Hey, all I did was state the basic reasons why people seem to like wal-mart. That's TOTALLY keeping with discussion. *Nods*

*smirk*

Okay, let's at least pretend we're trying to keep on topic. 8O

[Azul]

See, I see it differntly. I see Walmart as not doing this to save money, but doing this to show generousity.




Please explain this more, im very interested in what you mean by that.

It would be nice if they were generous to the country they started in, but you know, 1 outsourced job does the work of 10 american workers..

[SerenityMoon]

*smirk*

Okay, let's at least pretend we're trying to keep on topic. 8O

Ace of Base for the win.



It would be nice if they were generous to the country they started in, but you know, 1 outsourced job does the work of 10 american workers..


Well, it would be nice if EVERY corporation in the U.S. did that, but that simply isn't the case.

[Sequoia]

Please explain this more, im very interested in what you mean by that.

It would be nice if they were generous to the country they started in, but you know, 1 outsourced job does the work of 10 american workers..
And once you're willing to work for three dollars an hour, come see me about starting up a factory.

Don't they teach basic economics in school anymore?

[Azul]

Ace of Base for the win.



Well, it would be nice if EVERY corporation in the U.S. did that, but that simply isn't the case.


No one else is doing it on the scale the walmart is doing it though, and thats what is hurting the economy so badly.

[WiccanGoddess]

Please explain this more, im very interested in what you mean by that.

It would be nice if they were generous to the country they started in, but you know, 1 outsourced job does the work of 10 american workers..

They're showing generousity in sharing their wealth with those overseas who have a hard time in the career world.

I think SM answered this very well:




Well, it would be nice if EVERY corporation in the U.S. did that, but that simply isn't the case.

[Azul]

And once you're willing to work for three dollars an hour, come see me about starting up a factory.

Don't they teach basic economics in school anymore?


Uhhh... thats pretty much what i already stated. Its when a company outsources almost all of its factory jobs just to keep its prices all lower than the competition, and its already the biggest company in the world, it hurts the economy worse than anyone else.

[Azul]

They're showing generousity in sharing their wealth with those overseas who have a hard time in the career world.

I think SM answered this very well:


You know as well as I that they are not doing it out of Generousity....

Just like their "always low prices" are for you to save...its for you to chose them over any other store.

[WiccanGoddess]

You know as well as I that they are not doing it out of Generousity....

Just like their "always low prices" are for you to save...its for you to chose them over any other store.

No, I don't know that what they are doing isn't out of Generosity. It is my opinion that they are being generous. It is yours that they aren't. Do not tell me what I know and what I don't, Azul.

I never said their low prices were for us to save, but it makes it quite convienant when in fact their prices are lower than some other companies in rural or undisclosed areas. I happen to think that even next to a Target, Walmart's prices are reasonable and mangeable.

[DarkLily]

People of one community where I live, are fighting Wal-Mart, and whether or not they can build on a certain piece of land. One of the reasons for that fight, is the community does not want the lights in the parking lot, to shine into the community. Wal-Mart has offered to tone things down, but so far, the community is winning this battle. There's already one Wal-Mart SuperCenter, and an older store not too far from each other. The older store would be closed, once the new one was built(another SuperCenter), and something else put into it. What's the point of putting two SuperCenter Wal-Mart so close together?? That is something I'm still pondering.:goodgrief :huh:

[Azul]

No, I don't know that what they are doing isn't out of Generosity. It is my opinion that they are being generous. It is yours that they aren't. Do not tell me what I know and what I don't, Azul.



Walmart is a buisness, a buisness that wants to make money. They are the largest company in the world, grossing the second highest income yearly....

Im sorry if you believe that they are doing it out of their generous nature... Just like your government exists to protect you...

[WiccanGoddess]

Walmart is a buisness, a buisness that wants to make money. They are the largest company in the world, grossing the second highest income yearly....

Im sorry if you believe that they are doing it out of their generous nature... Just like your government exists to protect you...

Okay, so...Walmart is the only business wanting to make money? I think not.

So my beliefs are sorry? I take that as quite an insult. You don't see me, today, reprimanding your beliefs.

And, yes, I happen to believe, that despite the government's flaws, they are doing the best to protect us.

Now, I do like voicing my opinions, but having them reprimanded for being different is quite an atrocity. Everyone's views counts, Azul. Not just yours, nor not just those who agree with you. Again, yes, I'm making this personal, briefly: Get over it, your views are not the only ones. If you dislike being disagreed against, stop posting. End of.

[WiccanGoddess]

People of one community where I live, are fighting Wal-Mart, and whether or not they can build on a certain piece of land. One of the reasons for that fight, is the community does not want the lights in the parking lot, to shine into the community. Wal-Mart has offered to tone things down, but so far, the community is winning this battle. There's already one Wal-Mart SuperCenter, and an older store not too far from each other. The older store would be closed, once the new one was built(another SuperCenter), and something else put into it. What's the point of putting two SuperCenter Wal-Mart so close together?? That is something I'm still pondering.:goodgrief :huh:

That's one flaw I see in Walmart. They use and dispose their buildings quite recklessly.

Our city has four Walmarts, pretty darned close in my opinion. Within 10 miles of one another.

3 of four of them being wisely placed Supercenters.

1 of four being a tinier version of a Supercenter.

Granted, they should make better use of their buildings, but in my area, they make best use of the land. Using only available or used land. Land that has been voted upon.

[pawnman]

Its not that at all, the problem is that people just assume that is why people dislike the company and feel the need to defend the store to the death.

Walmart is taking jobs away from Americans and giving them to overseas workers to save money. They are not just killing off mom and pop stores, but every other company that cant take their prices as low as Walmart can. Its just so many more things than what is acctually being reported by the media, and to be honest the media isn't even reporting enough on walmart.

Again, not a Walmart only phenomenon. It's one of the pains of globalization, and believe me, every other retailer has just as much Chinese stuff on the shelves as Walmart.

[pawnman]

And once you're willing to work for three dollars an hour, come see me about starting up a factory.

Don't they teach basic economics in school anymore?

It's been replaced with a class called "entitlements 101: why you deserve something for nothing".

[WiccanGoddess]

Again, not a Walmart only phenomenon. It's one of the pains of globalization, and believe me, every other retailer has just as much Chinese stuff on the shelves as Walmart.

I guess Walmart is the only corporation out there with flaws.

*shrug*

[Azul]

Okay, so...Walmart is the only business wanting to make money? I think not.

So my beliefs are sorry? I take that as quite an insult. You don't see me, today, reprimanding your beliefs.

And, yes, I happen to believe, that despite the government's flaws, they are doing the best to protect us.

Now, I do like voicing my opinions, but having them reprimanded for being different is quite an atrocity. Everyone's views counts, Azul. Not just yours, nor not just those who agree with you. Again, yes, I'm making this personal, briefly: Get over it, your views are not the only ones. If you dislike being disagreed against, stop posting. End of.


Its not that your opinion disagrees with mine, its that I do not believe you fully understand what they are doing.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html

This is an article on the pressure walmart puts on companys to live up to their standards of "always low prices". Its long, but its a good source, and an informative article.

Walmart isn't just outsourceing ITS jobs, its demands are so bad on the companies that sell to it, that it forces those companies to outsource as well, that means americans go without a job.

Of course its not the only one that wants to make money, you continue to read my statements is a perverted way. Im saying no company that wants to make profit does anything for generousity.

Of course its not just walmart sending jobs overseas, but Walmart is doing it more than any company, and accelerating the rate at which jobs are sent overseas...

[Azul]

I guess Walmart is the only corporation out there with flaws.

*shrug*


*cough*
If you acctually read my posts, without the intention of twisting my words, or distorting what i say so that you can make your point seem better, you might acctually see that i have not said that once...

[WiccanGoddess]

Its not that your opinion disagrees with mine, its that I do not believe you fully understand what they are doing.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html


I don't give a rat's what an internet link says. Internet verification is low and untrustworthy in my mind.

So are the so called 'experts'. You know my views on that: Flip-flopper.

And, I hate to tell you this, but no amount of proof will change my mind on a subject like this. So give it up. I'm never going to agree with you.




Of course its not the only one that wants to make money, you continue to read my statements is a perverted way. Im saying no company that wants to make profit does anything for generousity.


No, I believe you're clearly on about this being a Walmart 'Only' situation.



Of course its not just walmart sending jobs overseas, but Walmart is doing it more than any company, and accelerating the rate at which jobs are sent overseas...

*sigh*

I officially give up with trying to speak clearly with you. You take my words, twist them, and pervert them. Forget trying to have an opinion other than yours in any thread you post in. It's impossible.

[WiccanGoddess]

*cough*
If you acctually read my posts, without the intention of twisting my words, or distorting what i say so that you can make your point seem better, you might acctually see that i have not said that once...

A: I read your posts just fine.

With disgust, but just fine.

B: Your wording clearly states that this is all on Walmart's shoulders. (Granted, the thread is about Walmart, but in situations such as this, straying doesn't hurt anyone. Yet, you keep straight to Walmart. Walmart negativity this, Walmart negativity that.)

You didn't say it, but there's such a thing as reading between the lines.

And, as I said previously, I give up. If the opinion doesn't match yours, it is deemed unworthy and sorry. Appalling!

[Azul]

A: I read your posts just fine.

With disgust, but just fine.

B: Your wording clearly states that this is all on Walmart's shoulders. (Granted, the thread is about Walmart, but in situations such as this, straying doesn't hurt anyone. Yet, you keep straight to Walmart. Walmart negativity this, Walmart negativity that.)

You didn't say it, but there's such a thing as reading between the lines.

And, as I said previously, I give up. If the opinion doesn't match yours, it is deemed unworthy and sorry. Appalling!


Ok, so once there is a source to information, its not valid enough....

Say whatever you like, i know exactly what i said, and what i ment. You continueously twist what i say, misqoute me, or just plain play dumb. No your opinion is not lower than mine, i just wish i understood why you have it. Yes the walmarts you have seen are nice, but what they are doing to the economy(not just from the "experts") is all there, its not even stuff that you need to wait 10 years to see if its real...

[Azul]

A: I read your posts just fine.

With disgust, but just fine.

B: Your wording clearly states that this is all on Walmart's shoulders. (Granted, the thread is about Walmart, but in situations such as this, straying doesn't hurt anyone. Yet, you keep straight to Walmart. Walmart negativity this, Walmart negativity that.)

!

1. sentiment shared,very much so.

2. Funny, because for it to clearly state that, i would be saying something contrary to what i believe....sooo...no?

[WiccanGoddess]

No, that website has been proven false.

Proven to be usereditted and hacked many a time.

It's hard to trust sources online when hacking and usereditting can occur.

You wish you understood why I had my opinion? Dude, I've clearly stated why I think like I do! It is you who looks over my opinion like it is unworthy of your eyes.

What the Walmart is doing the economy does not effect me in where I live, nor has it ever! And don't tell me that it does, b/c you do not know how the economy is here. What effects us here are the casinos. Walmart's effect is little if nothing. Almost invisible.

You keep saying that in years we will see the truth...darling, people said that about Jesus' return, but that never happened. You have no guarantee that the effect will greaten or lessen within any amount of time.

Now, I am going to leave this thread because I find it hard to voice my opinions to one who considers theirs higher than anyone else's. I'm sorry I disagree with you. Life is not about agreeing upon things 100% of the time. It's called diversity. Look it up.

Have a nice day. Continue with this one-sided thread. Good evening.

[Azul]

No, that website has been proven false.

Proven to be usereditted and hacked many a time.

It's hard to trust sources online when hacking and usereditting can occur.

You wish you understood why I had my opinion? Dude, I've clearly stated why I think like I do! It is you who looks over my opinion like it is unworthy of your eyes.

What the Walmart is doing the economy does not effect me in where I live, nor has it ever! And don't tell me that it does, b/c you do not know how the economy is here. What effects us here are the casinos. Walmart's effect is little if nothing. Almost invisible.

You keep saying that in years we will see the truth...darling, people said that about Jesus' return, but that never happened. You have no guarantee that the effect will greaten or lessen within any amount of time.

Now, I am going to leave this thread because I find it hard to voice my opinions to one who considers theirs higher than anyone else's. I'm sorry I disagree with you. Life is not about agreeing upon things 100% of the time. It's called diversity. Look it up.

Have a nice day. Continue with this one-sided thread. Good evening.

1. Ive never heard it was hacked, where did you see this?

2.ive heard you say why you have your opinion, but i do not understand it. Because the walmarts that you have seen are fine, then the ones that are bad are few and far between? Because you dont see the effects on the economy, they dont exist?

3. it effects your economy whether you see it or not.

4. When did i state it would be seen in years? please?

5. Your taking everything i say way too far, i feel as mistreated by you as you do by me. If you wish to leave a thread just because im disagreeing with you now, im sorry you feel that way.

[TaysatWesir]

f**king wal-mart :eyebrow:

[Azul]

Also i bet if the link was in walmarts favor you would have no problem accepting its validity

[WiccanGoddess]

Okay, one last post.

1: This website was listed via CNN a year back as one of the top ten most hacked websites. I would provide the link, but CNN does not work on my connection.

2: You don't understand my opinion as I don't yours. Sentiments shared.

3: And it is my opinion that if you can't see it, it's not effecting you. As it is your opinion that it effects me whether you see it or not. You're forcing your opinion here. Stop.

4: Your previous post. I don't have time to reload, as my dial up is about to disconnect, but you mentioned something about in ten years seeing if it were real or not...

5: Yes, I wish to leave this thread because my opinion is deemed unworthy. When, in truth, everyone's is as worthy as the next. I'm tired of being reprimanded for being different. That is a society of disgust and appalling behavior.

[Azul]

And just for clarification, i didn't say your beliefs were sorry, i said i was sorry.

[WiccanGoddess]

Also i bet if the link was in walmarts favor you would have no problem accepting its validity

You do make quite some assumptions, don't you?

You don't know what I would do and what I wouldn't. Quit putting words into my mouth and actions into my moves.

Just so happens, I distrust websites that are for and against the situation we are talking about.

You have no idea what I would accept and what I wouldn't, little one. Generalizing everything tonight, aren't we?

Now, I'm ending this, and if you would like, there's this little button called a private message. If you feel the utter need to continue this, don't hesitate to use that button.

Good evening.

[Azul]

Okay, one last post.

1: This website was listed via CNN a year back as one of the top ten most hacked websites. I would provide the link, but CNN does not work on my connection.

2: You don't understand my opinion as I don't yours. Sentiments shared.

3: And it is my opinion that if you can't see it, it's not effecting you. As it is your opinion that it effects me whether you see it or not. You're forcing your opinion here. Stop.

4: Your previous post. I don't have time to reload, as my dial up is about to disconnect, but you mentioned something about in ten years seeing if it were real or not...

5: Yes, I wish to leave this thread because my opinion is deemed unworthy. When, in truth, everyone's is as worthy as the next. I'm tired of being reprimanded for being different. That is a society of disgust and appalling behavior.

Ill try to find the list on cnn

I think your misreading what i said about the ten years...

I really dont see you or your opinion as anything lower than my own. I can understand how you can see it as that though, but understand thats exactly how i felt in the last thread. Please dont think im treating you as unworthy, or that im reprimanding you.

[Azul]

You do make quite some assumptions, don't you?

You don't know what I would do and what I wouldn't. Quit putting words into my mouth and actions into my moves.

Just so happens, I distrust websites that are for and against the situation we are talking about.

You have no idea what I would accept and what I wouldn't, little one. Generalizing everything tonight, aren't we?

Now, I'm ending this, and if you would like, there's this little button called a private message. If you feel the utter need to continue this, don't hesitate to use that button.

Good evening.

Little one? who is belittling who now?

[WiccanGoddess]

Leave it be, Azul. Let bygones be bygones.

This debate between you and I ends here.

And, good luck with the CNN search. It was well hidden. I do doubt it is still there. CNN cleans shop rather well.

[Azul]

Leave it be, Azul. Let bygones be bygones.

This debate between you and I ends here.

And, good luck with the CNN search. It was well hidden. I do doubt it is still there. CNN cleans shop rather well.


No kidding about CNN, that or their search engine is just horrible, only the first page of results has ANY relavance to my search.... horrible....

I will take your word that the sites unrealiable, but for the record, I believe(as in just me, i do not expect anyone else too) that atleast for the most part the actualy numbers on the site are true. Everything else ive seen from plenty of other paper sources, so i know that to be for the most part true aswell.


This would never have turned into what it did if you didn't twist my words, your try to tell me what i mean when i say things and what i think about anything. It would be fine to end it here if i felt it would truly end here...

[Doctor Jeep]

I honestly don't see how the Walmart corporation is ever truly to blame for one's personal experiences.

I do. How about - insisting that their employees keep the stores presentable? Or hiring people who don't have the interpersonal skills of a Ratel?

I have been dragged to numerous WalMart locations - city and suburbs - and each store was filthy, had crap lying on the floor, shelves in complete disarray, boxes of food spilled and not cleaned up...and with the exception of the greeter, unfriendly, disinterested workers. There's no excuse for it.

Yes, the employees who aren't doing their jobs are to blame, but I also point the finger at the company itself for letting it consistently happen. I certainly don't expect to encounter happy-go-lucky employees in a sparkling atmosphere as is shown in their commercials, but I should at least be abel to walk the aisles without getting Cheetos stuck to the bottom of my shoes.

[WiccanGoddess]

I have been dragged to numerous WalMart locations - city and suburbs - and each store was filthy, had crap lying on the floor, shelves in complete disarray, boxes of food spilled and not cleaned up...and with the exception of the greeter, unfriendly, disinterested workers. There's no excuse for it.




And, yet, every Walmart I have walked into has been clean and full of friendly and caring workers. Personal Experience. What's fact to one is not fact to the others.

The corporation has zip in control as to the look and safety of every Walmart. Asking a Corporation to babysit is appalling.




Yes, the employees who aren't doing their jobs are to blame, but I also point the finger at the company itself for letting it consistently happen.



The company, yes, but not the corporation. The corporation is not on hand to monitor every Walmart. That would be appalling on it's own.

You cannot expect a corporation, which is in charge of funds and distribution, to worry about the Cheetos on the floors of one Walmart.

[Azul]

You cannot expect a corporation, which is in charge of funds and distribution, to worry about the Cheetos on the floors of one Walmart.


But cheetos are a gateway flaw....cheetos today, partially aborted babies tomorow!!!!!

AAAAAAGGGGRRRHAAFHHG!!_inabox_

[Doctor Jeep]

And, yet, every Walmart I have walked into has been clean and full of friendly and caring workers. Personal Experience. What's fact to one is not fact to the others.

The corporation has zip in control as to the look and safety of every Walmart. Asking a Corporation to babysit is appalling.
The point is that they shouldn't have to babysit.


The company, yes, but not the corporation. The corporation is not on hand to monitor every Walmart. That would be appalling on it's own.

You cannot expect a corporation, which is in charge of funds and distribution, to worry about the Cheetos on the floors of one Walmart.

If it were one store that presented such a lame shopping experience I would agree. The fact that it isn't makes me feel otherwise. The corporation wouldn't exist without that Cheeto-laden storefront, so I would think it should worry.

But I know better.

Your last name isn't Walton, is it? :lol:

[SerenityMoon]

...Lordy. *rolls eyes*



That's one flaw I see in Walmart. They use and dispose their buildings quite recklessly.


Yep, I agree with this. We have an old Wal-Mart building just sitting there, ever since the Super Wal-mart got built. It's a huge waste. I wish they'd sell it to someone or something, so we can have a new department store.




It's been replaced with a class called "entitlements 101: why you deserve something for nothing".



LMFAO. I think I <3 you.

[WiccanGoddess]

Hmm, I stepped on cookie in the local Kmart the other day. Does that make them evil and hated?

What about all that gum I keep stepping in? Is that up to the major corporations to clean up? Are they janitors now? *confused look*

[SerenityMoon]

Hmm, I stepped on cookie in the local Kmart the other day. Does that make them evil and hated?

What about all that gum I keep stepping in? Is that up to the major corporations to clean up? Are they janitors now? *confused look*

ZOMG, THEY SHOULD HIRE A COMMITTEE TO ONLY CLEAN UP FALLEN COOKIES O_O

lolz.

and a gum staff. Definitely. People who walk around with an arsenal of putty knives, ready to dive in and save every customer from the offensive act of stepping on gum.

[WiccanGoddess]

ZOMG, THEY SHOULD HIRE A COMMITTEE TO ONLY CLEAN UP FALLEN COOKIES O_O

lolz.

and a gum staff. Definitely. People who walk around with an arsenal of putty knives, ready to dive in and save every customer from the offensive act of stepping on gum.

:yayah: :lol:

:idea:

:cheers:

[OrionNeb87]

ZOMG, THEY SHOULD HIRE A COMMITTEE TO ONLY CLEAN UP FALLEN COOKIES O_O

lolz.

and a gum staff. Definitely. People who walk around with an arsenal of putty knives, ready to dive in and save every customer from the offensive act of stepping on gum.

Or maybe people should be more considerate and actually put their gum in the trash. *gasp* Yeah thats right!

sorry... I really hate it when people don't throw away their trash in trash cans _inabox_

[SerenityMoon]

Or maybe people should be more considerate and actually put their gum in the trash. *gasp* Yeah thats right!

sorry... I really hate it when people don't throw away their trash in trash cans _inabox_

LOL I do, too. It drives me MAD when people throw trash down. It's disgusting and rude.

But, sadly, that cannot always be policed.

[SerenityMoon]

:yayah: :lol:

:idea:

:cheers:

:cheers:

*bows*

[Azul]

Or maybe people should be more considerate and actually put their gum in the trash. *gasp* Yeah thats right!

sorry... I really hate it when people don't throw away their trash in trash cans _inabox_


Anyone ever see the commercial where everyone is standing around a trash can talking about how some guy just threw his trash next to it instead of putting it in the trash can, then a kid walks by and picks it up and puts it in the can? What the heck was that commerical for?

[OrionNeb87]

Anyone ever see the commercial where everyone is standing around a trash can talking about how some guy just threw his trash next to it instead of putting it in the trash can, then a kid walks by and picks it up and puts it in the can? What the heck was that commerical for?

Never seen it but I bet whats its saying is that actions speak louder than words or something to that effect.

[SerenityMoon]

Anyone ever see the commercial where everyone is standing around a trash can talking about how some guy just threw his trash next to it instead of putting it in the trash can, then a kid walks by and picks it up and puts it in the can? What the heck was that commerical for?

>< dang, I know which commercial you're talking about, and I honestly can't remember what it was for!

It's gonna drive me crazy now -_-

[Doctor Jeep]

Hmm, I stepped on cookie in the local Kmart the other day. Does that make them evil and hated?

What about all that gum I keep stepping in? Is that up to the major corporations to clean up? Are they janitors now? *confused look*
And the award for Best Display of Being Purposely Obtuse goes to....

[Azul]

Never seen it but I bet whats its saying is that actions speak louder than words or something to that effect.


Yeah, but it was for something or another, the message stays with you atleast though.

[pawnman]

Its not that your opinion disagrees with mine, its that I do not believe you fully understand what they are doing.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html

This is an article on the pressure walmart puts on companys to live up to their standards of "always low prices". Its long, but its a good source, and an informative article.

Walmart isn't just outsourceing ITS jobs, its demands are so bad on the companies that sell to it, that it forces those companies to outsource as well, that means americans go without a job.

Of course its not the only one that wants to make money, you continue to read my statements is a perverted way. Im saying no company that wants to make profit does anything for generousity.

Of course its not just walmart sending jobs overseas, but Walmart is doing it more than any company, and accelerating the rate at which jobs are sent overseas...

It doesn't force anything. Those companies are trying to make a profit, and outsourcing is a way to cut costs. They could always quit dealing with Walmart if the demands are too high.

[OrionNeb87]

Yeah, but it was for something or another, the message stays with you atleast though.

Ah I see what you're talking about. Actually I think I may have seen it once and I don't remember what its for either :lol:

[Azul]

It doesn't force anything. Those companies are trying to make a profit, and outsourcing is a way to cut costs. They could always quit dealing with Walmart if the demands are too high.


Sadly, to not deal with walmart, means you pretty much go out of buisness....

Walmart is the market...to not sell to walmart, means to lose your buisness.

[pawnman]

Ah I see what you're talking about. Actually I think I may have seen it once and I don't remember what its for either :lol:

I want to say it was for that Truth anti-smoking thing...but that may have been something else.

[pawnman]

Sadly, to not deal with walmart, means you pretty much go out of buisness....

Walmart is the market...to not sell to walmart, means to lose your buisness.

Really? Walmart is THE ONLY retailer in the United States?

Gosh, how do all those Sears and JCPenny's exclusive brands make any money at all?

[SerenityMoon]

Really? Walmart is THE ONLY retailer in the United States?

Gosh, how do all those Sears and JCPenny's exclusive brands make any money at all?

Or Target or Goody's or anything else...XD

[Azul]

Really? Walmart is THE ONLY retailer in the United States?

Gosh, how do all those Sears and JCPenny's exclusive brands make any money at all?


Compared to walmart, they dont.

Walmart has taken up such a big part of sales that no one can compare.

Walmart is the market, that means that you could sell to every company other than walmart, but the moment walmart stops selling your products....you no longer make profit.

[pawnman]

Compared to walmart, they dont.

Walmart has taken up such a big part of sales that no one can compare.

Walmart is the market, that means that you could sell to every company other than walmart, but the moment walmart stops selling your products....you no longer make profit.

So those companies are *gasp* as profit-driven as Walmart? You mean Walmart isn't the only company that outsources? And really, Walmart doesn't outsource that much...cashiers can't really check customers out from 2000 miles away, and neither can clerks stock shelves.

Sounds like you're actually mad at Walmart's suppliers. And Walmart, while a large chunk of the market, is not the only game in town. The largest, perhaps, but by itself, less than 10% of the total retail business.

[Azul]

So those companies are *gasp* as profit-driven as Walmart? You mean Walmart isn't the only company that outsources? And really, Walmart doesn't outsource that much...cashiers can't really check customers out from 2000 miles away, and neither can clerks stock shelves.

Sounds like you're actually mad at Walmart's suppliers. And Walmart, while a large chunk of the market, is not the only game in town. The largest, perhaps, but by itself, less than 10% of the total retail business.


The majority of jobs that Walmart effects are not in its stores, but in the companies that produce its products...for one.

I never said Walmart was the only company that wanted profit, but what it does with its power to gain profit. Alot of companies that sell to Walmart used to be all American but have sense been forced to outsource to meet Walmarts demands of low prices...Im looking for actual names but its been a long time since i read the books about it.

Less than 10 % by very little if it even is...last i saw it was at 10. But no other company holds anything NEAR 10%, and that little percentage really means alot when everything comes down to it...

Walmart can literally force companies to change everything, its happened, it will continue to happen.

[WiccanGoddess]

*smirk*

SerenityMoon, Pawnman, I think I <3 you two.

*goes back to laughing at this thread*

[pawnman]

The majority of jobs that Walmart effects are not in its stores, but in the companies that produce its products...for one.

I never said Walmart was the only company that wanted profit, but what it does with its power to gain profit. Alot of companies that sell to Walmart used to be all American but have sense been forced to outsource to meet Walmarts demands of low prices...Im looking for actual names but its been a long time since i read the books about it.

Less than 10 % by very little if it even is...last i saw it was at 10. But no other company holds anything NEAR 10%, and that little percentage really means alot when everything comes down to it...

Walmart can literally force companies to change everything, its happened, it will continue to happen.

Walmart can't force anyone to do anything. All it can do is pay for goods to sell, or not pay for them. The suppliers have all the power to decide whether outsourcing is worthwhile or not.

If it weren't Walmart, it would be someone else. There are plenty of successful companies that don't sell their products at Walmart. Not being in a Walmart store is not the death of a company by any stretch of the imagination.

[WiccanGoddess]

Walmart can literally force companies to change everything, its happened, it will continue to happen.



So...other businesses will just willingly bend to Walmart's whim and will?

I think not.

[Azul]

Walmart can't force anyone to do anything. All it can do is pay for goods to sell, or not pay for them. The suppliers have all the power to decide whether outsourcing is worthwhile or not.

If it weren't Walmart, it would be someone else. There are plenty of successful companies that don't sell their products at Walmart. Not being in a Walmart store is not the death of a company by any stretch of the imagination.


If walmart refuses to buy a companies product because it dosn't fit into their always low prices, that company has lost almost half of their profit.

When a company is successful and at a reasonable size, and all of the sudden walmart cuts its products off of its sales, the company cant make enough profit to mantain the size they have attained.... thus its either comform to their wishes or go out of buisness.

And the companies that arn't part of walmart are already more than likly products that wouldn't sell at a walmart as it is, thus they dont need the customers that would buy at a store like walmart to make their profit.

[Azul]

So...other businesses will just willingly bend to Walmart's whim and will?

I think not.


It has happened, id link an article for you but its on the internet.

[WiccanGoddess]

So, every company is expected to supply Walmart and Walmart only? Does that make Walmart the leader of the corporation world, putting out all other companies? Doesn't that make Walmart the only company out there? I mean, Target and Kmart, are they hallucinations of my mind?

There are plenty of companies that aren't a part of Walmart. They're apart of Target or Kmart or Krogers or Stage, and they seem to be surviving just dandy.

[WiccanGoddess]

It has happened, id link an article for you but its on the internet.

I never said it didn't happen. Perhaps I should rephrase myself: What, is every company supposed to bend to meet the whims and will of Walmart? See my above post for the continuation of this statement.

[pawnman]

If walmart refuses to buy a companies product because it dosn't fit into their always low prices, that company has lost almost half of their profit.

When a company is successful and at a reasonable size, and all of the sudden walmart cuts its products off of its sales, the company cant make enough profit to mantain the size they have attained.... thus its either comform to their wishes or go out of buisness.

And the companies that arn't part of walmart are already more than likly products that wouldn't sell at a walmart as it is, thus they dont need the customers that would buy at a store like walmart to make their profit.

So Walmart is the sole source of pricing pressures? How about the consumers...perhaps Walmart wants lower prices because CONSUMERS demand it. Consumers...that would be you and I, not the monolithic "evil corporations".

[Azul]

So, every company is expected to supply Walmart and Walmart only? Does that make Walmart the leader of the corporation world, putting out all other companies? Doesn't that make Walmart the only company out there? I mean, Target and Kmart, are they hallucinations of my mind?

There are plenty of companies that aren't a part of Walmart. They're apart of Target or Kmart or Krogers or Stage, and they seem to be surviving just dandy.


I dont quite understand what your saying with this?

Walmart is one company.... But the largest company there is. It is literally so massive, that if it were to suddenly cut your product of its shelves, your company would lose half its profits.

Obviously walmarts only competition isn't part of it.... But they arn't surviving all that well. K-mart is closing stores down every month, and im not sure about target. The other stores arn't in my area at all.

Walmart is still growing as well, and its killing off its competition slowly but surly.

[WiccanGoddess]

I have yet to see Walmart truly kill off it's 'competition'.

Target is growing fast and steady.

Kmart, shrinking in some places, is growing in others.

So on and so forth.

I just don't get it. Walmart is not the only corporation for companies to put money into. Companies have Target, Kmart, so on and so forth to choose from. If what you were saying were true, Walmart would be the only company in existance.

What, companies are supposed to supply only to Walmart? What about the other corporations?

[pawnman]

I dont quite understand what your saying with this?

Walmart is one company.... But the largest company there is. It is literally so massive, that if it were to suddenly cut your product of its shelves, your company would lose half its profits.

Obviously walmarts only competition isn't part of it.... But they arn't surviving all that well. K-mart is closing stores down every month, and im not sure about target. The other stores arn't in my area at all.

Walmart is still growing as well, and its killing off its competition slowly but surly.

There are very few major companies out there where Walmart represents "half its profits". Perhaps a few, but not many. Most would survive, but not nearly as profitably. It's called capitalism, it's called competition, and there are plenty of companies that have no dealings with Walmart that do just as much outsourcing.

Lame argument. I, for one, don't believe the entire economy dances to Walmart's every whim.

[Azul]

So Walmart is the sole source of pricing pressures? How about the consumers...perhaps Walmart wants lower prices because CONSUMERS demand it. Consumers...that would be you and I, not the monolithic "evil corporations".


Walmart started its buisness with cutting its prices lower than its competition. This idea gave them less profit from the product, but so many more customers. There was never any demand from the consumer for the lower price...they already had a lower price. Walmart created the always low prices to bring in the customers from their competition.

[pawnman]

Walmart started its buisness with cutting its prices lower than its competition. This idea gave them less profit from the product, but so many more customers. There was never any demand from the consumer for the lower price...they already had a lower price. Walmart created the always low prices to bring in the customers from their competition.

If this is true, then the suppliers knew full well what they were getting into.

[WiccanGoddess]

Lame argument. I, for one, don't believe the entire economy dances to Walmart's every whim.


Yeah, Pawnman, I'm pulling back, as you keep saying everything I want to, but in better terms. Kudos.




If this is true, then the suppliers knew full well what they were getting into.



Agreed.

[Azul]

I have yet to see Walmart truly kill off it's 'competition'.

Target is growing fast and steady.

Kmart, shrinking in some places, is growing in others.

So on and so forth.

I just don't get it. Walmart is not the only corporation for companies to put money into. Companies have Target, Kmart, so on and so forth to choose from. If what you were saying were true, Walmart would be the only company in existance.

What, companies are supposed to supply only to Walmart? What about the other corporations?
I never said it truly killed off its competition, for they are all truly still in buisness.

Where are you seeing information telling you the growth of target and walmart? i would love the source for my own benefit.

Im not saying its the only corporation out there, i dont think any of you realize how much the control out there though. I cant really make any point here because this isn't a matter of where the evidence points, its just where people want to stand. I dont understand why people are so unwilling to accept(not talking about anyone specific) the damage walmart can/is doing. Yes the media portrays them negativly because there is ALOT of negative about them.

No matter what i say, it will be called lame, wrong, ill logical, whatever. Im not even stating opinion, im stating all the things that are out there for you to read. Im not even stating the company is evil, but that the company is a threat to the economy. I want to leave some kind of world for my children to come into, so i am looking down the road with this as well.

[AutumnWitchie]

:wtf: Why, in two Wal Mart threads, are some people resorting to the condescending "darling", "little one", "babe", etc? Is that how some of people make themselves feel oh-so-morally superior? It's getting old......really fast.:hrmm:

[WiccanGoddess]

The growth of Target comes from the many Targets that have appeared like seeds out of the ground. Many new Targets appearing by the side of many new Walmarts.

No, we don't realize how much control they have because we don't see it as true. Or at least I don't. Again, you're getting at us for having varying views. What you see is through your eyes, not ours.

You don't understand why people are unwilling to accept the damange Walmart can do/is doing? Well, here it is: We have varying views. That's the reason. We see things differently. That's another.

You're leaving a fine world for your children to come into...war, plagues, famine, disaster, terrorism. Yes, because Walmart is the top issue to worry about for your future heir.

[WiccanGoddess]

:wtf: Why, in two Wal Mart threads, are some people resorting to the condescending "darling", "little one", "babe", etc? Is that how some of people make themselves feel oh-so-morally superior? It's getting old......really fast.:hrmm:

See, when I say it, I mean nothing by it. "Little one", "Darling", "Babe", "Honey", "DarlingDear", "Dearheart" are common in phrases and conversations of the southern U.S. It's how we speak. We can't help it.

[Azul]

See, when I say it, I mean nothing by it. "Little one", "Darling", "Babe", "Honey", "DarlingDear", "Dearheart" are common in phrases and conversations of the southern U.S. It's how we speak. We can't help it.


Uhh...well whenever someone calls a guy "little one" he gets a little offended... :-p

[WiccanGoddess]

Uhh...well whenever someone calls a guy "little one" he gets a little offended... :-p

I truly am sorry that it offended you. I meant nothing by it. It's how I speak. I'll try not to do it around you, 'k? Cheers. :cheers:

[Azul]

The growth of Target comes from the many Targets that have appeared like seeds out of the ground. Many new Targets appearing by the side of many new Walmarts.

No, we don't realize how much control they have because we don't see it as true. Or at least I don't. Again, you're getting at us for having varying views. What you see is through your eyes, not ours.

You don't understand why people are unwilling to accept the damange Walmart can do/is doing? Well, here it is: We have varying views. That's the reason. We see things differently. That's another.

You're leaving a fine world for your children to come into...war, plagues, famine, disaster, terrorism. Yes, because Walmart is the top issue to worry about for your future heir.


I added the not anyone specific part because i knew you would say that. I am not talking about anyone here, just some of the people that defend walmart who know nothing of the company.

What plagues do you speak of? disaster is natural usually, im doing my best to educate others of gobal warming as well. I'm going into the navy to do my best against terrorism, and hoping to have some small part in politics in some way so that i may change the countries policy on war. Of course walmart is in there somewhere, once everything else is taken care of, i hope there is an economy left for my children to prosper in.

[Azul]

I truly am sorry that it offended you. I meant nothing by it. It's how I speak. I'll try not to do it around you, 'k? Cheers. :cheers:


Dont worry about that one, i dont tend to take offense very easily, that was more of a joke than anything.:hahugh:

[Sequoia]

Walmart is mowing down the world to pave it?

Founded in 2005, Acres for America is a one-of-a-kind partnership between Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to conserve critical wildlife habitats for future generations.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has committed $35 million over 10 years to permanently conserve at least one acre of priority wildlife habitat for every developed acre of Wal-Mart Stores’ current footprint, as well as the company’s future development throughout the 10 year commitment, making this one of the largest public-private partnerships ever and the first time a company has tied its footprint to land conservation.

Since 2005, the Acres for America program has funded projects in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan and Oregon.

To date, the Acres for America program has permanently conserved 360,000 acres, helping connect conservation landscapes totaling more than 4.6 million acres.
http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/2259.aspx



No offense to you, WG, since you agree with me and therefore I exclude you ( :p see? I'm honest), but I am REALLY getting sick of naieve teenagers telling me who and what is ending the world this year.

Walmart has been around for a LONG ass time. Since 1962, in fact. And in case you don't remember, they were around in the 90's, too. During that booming economy. Technology, mom and pop stores, basement and garage businesses BOOMING. Walmart really killed them.

You'd think that after fourty-five-odd years, there'd be no small businesses or supermarkets left. No clothing stores, no drug stores... my god, they're all gone. Every store is Walmart. Every single one. I've never seen a Macy's, Banana Republic, Safeway, or Longs Drugs in my life. Let alone Milk and Honey, Crystal Channels, G&G Supermarket, or any other little store like that staying in business for thirty or more years. Golly. I must have just dreampt it all up in some beautiful, vicodin-induced dream...


The first Supercenter, featuring a complete grocery department along with the 36 departments of general merchandise, opened in 1988.
Yup, never seen a Safeway, Albertson's, Lucky's, Kroger, or anything else since then... did I mention G&G? The full-size grocery stores here in my town owned by a Chinese immigrant family? Gosh, I must be imagining them, too...