Walmart

[Lynn7]

Walmart is often painted as evil but they always seem to be contributing to communtiy efforts where there stores are located. I came across this article and was impressed by their generosity:

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Following President
Bush's announcement today that former Presidents Bush and Clinton will lead a
nationwide fundraising effort to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Wal-
Mart President and CEO Lee Scott contacted President Clinton and the White
House and committed $15 million from Wal-Mart to jump-start the effort.
As part of this commitment, Wal-Mart will establish mini-Wal-Mart stores
in areas impacted by the hurricane. Items such as clothing, diapers, baby
wipes, food, formula, toothbrushes, bedding and water will be given out free
of charge to those with a demonstrated need.
Wal-Mart previously donated $2 million in cash to aid emergency relief
efforts and has been collecting contributions at its 3,800 stores and CLUBS,
and through its web sites [www.walmartfacts.com, http://www.walmart.com,
http://www.walmartfoundation.org, http://www.walmartstores.com, http://www.samsclub.com].
Through its Associate Disaster Relief Fund, the company will also give
displaced associates immediate funds for shelter, food, clothing and other
necessities.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood
Markets and SAM'S CLUBS in all fifty states. Internationally, the company
operates in Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, United
Kingdom, Argentina and South Korea. The company's securities are listed on
the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT.

[BorderEevilIII]

Why should the folks at Walmart bother....
Didn't the location there that JUST OPENED UP got cleaned out?!?! :confused:

I am suprised that they haven't said yet I hope the townsfolks are enjoying our merchandise...

[someguy]

Wal-Mart is the biggest store in America I think (it might have changed though, but it's probably still on top). 17 million is barely anything, and this is just a way of covering up the heat they always get for their poor workers rights.

[Lynn7]

Walmart saves me lots of money when I shop there. A bottle of Tylenol can be as much as a dollar cheaper than I can get it at the grocery store. Also, when I go there, the workers are all happy. So, I can't see what alll the hatred is all about. And also, even if they make a lot of money, they don't have to give out any of it. I'm not hearing that a lot of other companies are doing it yet.

[someguy]

gfsdlghdslghglkdsgsd

what

It shouldn't be that bad because they look happy?!? They have to act happy during work. You think they'll keep a worker who mopes and complains all the time during the job? Here's just some of the problems about Wal-Mart

paying its workers poverty-level wages and providing few benefits; harassing and firing workers for trying to organize a union; sex discrimination allegations resulting in the largest class-action sex discrimination lawsuit in history; and mistreating immigrant workers

In a retail job you have to converse with the public. People aren't going to be happy when the person is just depressed all the time.

And your argument about how it's good since it saves you money, just wow. That is a very selfish argument, I mean what if there's a company that gets to sell stuff cheap because they endorse and use child labour? Extreme example, but you're simply not caring about how people are treated in the workplace since it saves you money. I just find that wrong.

(got the quote from here (http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20050503/as_goes_walmart.php))

[TheDeadWalk]

I hate to stick up for Wal-Mart, but I have to look out for myself.

I can't afford to pay more money at another grocery store, and since the gas prices keep going up, it also saves me more money by being able to get virtually anything I need at one store.

[The Postmaster General]

No one has even mentioned that this donation is totally tax deductable.



[QUOTE]Originally posted by someguy
It shouldn't be that bad because they look happy?!? They have to act happy during work. You think they'll keep a worker who mopes and complains all the time during the job?[/b]

Beat me to it, but you hit the nail on the head.

(I would have banged on the wood for several paragraphs, eventually sinking the nail in...) ;)

[Lynn7]

Originally posted by someguy
gfsdlghdslghglkdsgsd

what

It shouldn't be that bad because they look happy?!? They have to act happy during work. You think they'll keep a worker who mopes and complains all the time during the job? Here's just some of the problems about Wal-Mart



In a retail job you have to converse with the public. People aren't going to be happy when the person is just depressed all the time.

And your argument about how it's good since it saves you money, just wow. That is a very selfish argument, I mean what if there's a company that gets to sell stuff cheap because they endorse and use child labour? Extreme example, but you're simply not caring about how people are treated in the workplace since it saves you money. I just find that wrong.

(got the quote from here (http://www.tompaine.com/articles/20050503/as_goes_walmart.php))

I took a course in Latin American culture a few years ago and I was fascinated to learn that the people who live there get very angry with the US efforts to stop child labor because they are very poor and the children work to help feed the family. They are happy to have the work.

My grandmother was pulled out of school in 6th grade to work in a factory to help feed the family. She worked hard all her life and was not traumatized by it. Don't farm kids work on their parents' farms and how about the kids whose parents own their own pizza business etc. My husband worked from young in his father's store (age 12 or 13) and so did his sisters.

But why blame Walmart for this? Isn't Nike using labor from third world countires.And I didn't hear about their big donation to help with the hurricane relief. Or any other of those companies.

You talk about how employees have to put on a happy face- oh really? Have you been out shopping lately? I have never seen so many clerks at so many stores with attitude. And they hadly ever say thank you when you check out. Walmart's employees are usually very helpful and nice.

Walmart is the current place in vogue to bash. But I shop there and I like it there. They have good prices and good customer service so I hope they don't get taken down.and they also do a lot of good works in the communities where they are.

One more thing- the article you posted the link for sounds so noble but come on- everyone knows if you want to get benefits you dont' go to retail stores as clerks to get them.They are starter jobs and when you want benefits you go elsewhere. Could the work be any easier than in retail? I worked in retail as a teen and it was easy money. You start giving high pay and benes to people at Walmart and soon there will be no Walmart. How about the car companies that were paying super wages to the workers and now they are moving all the factories to other countries. It just backfires every time. Let the people who don't care about benes work there and when there aren't enough people to work there, Walmart will raise the wages to a point where they can still make a profit and stay in business.

These businesses are not charitable institurions- they need to make a profit or what is the point?

[JohnTheHenchman]

There's nothing selfish about shopping at Walmart because it's cheaper. It's necessary for many people.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by JohnTheHenchman
There's nothing selfish about shopping at Walmart because it's cheaper. It's necessary for many people.



I agree. It depends on what I'm getting.

But brand names have done more to hurt independent buisinesses, or at least as much as Wal-Mart has.

When it comes to specialization, I happily seek the small biz owner. I'm not in a hurry to try out the Wal-Mart vision department, though.

[someguy]

Originally posted by Lynn7
I took a course in Latin American culture a few years ago and I was fascinated to learn that the people who live there get very angry with the US efforts to stop child labor because they are very poor and the children work to help feed the family. They are happy to have the work.

My grandmother was pulled out of school in 6th grade to work in a factory to help feed the family. She worked hard all her life and was not traumatized by it. Don't farm kids work on their parents' farms and how about the kids whose parents own their own pizza business etc. My husband worked from young in his father's store (age 12 or 13) and so did his sisters.

By child labour, it was more of the negative aspect of it you know with the forced hours and no pay and such :p

I was going to use a sweatshop type reference but I thought child labour would say it well. I was wrong.

You talk about how employees have to put on a happy face- oh really? Have you been out shopping lately? I have never seen so many clerks at so many stores with attitude. And they hadly ever say thank you when you check out. Walmart's employees are usually very helpful and nice.

hahaha, OH REALLY?!?! That's one of my favourite sayings. I did go out shopping lately, and all the clerks were nice to me, one even called me 'hon' which was kinda weird. Then again she was an older woman. Wal Mart's employees are nice because if they weren't they would lose their jobs.

Walmart is the current place in vogue to bash.

Now you see, this type of thing really pisses me off. This is the cheapest excuse at getting people to be quiet. 'Oh it's so popular to bash that right now.' What, you want the person to feel like they're so uncool and bland by sticking with the majority? Let them be cool and mysterious, disagree! It's not in vogue!

I mean, you know that Hitler. It's so in vogue to bash him too.

One more thing- the article you posted the link for sounds so noble but come on- everyone knows if you want to get benefits you dont' go to retail stores as clerks to get them.They are starter jobs and when you want benefits you go elsewhere. Could the work be any easier than in retail? I worked in retail as a teen and it was easy money. You start giving high pay and benes to people at Walmart and soon there will be no Walmart. How about the car companies that were paying super wages to the workers and now they are moving all the factories to other countries. It just backfires every time. Let the people who don't care about benes work there and when there aren't enough people to work there, Walmart will raise the wages to a point where they can still make a profit and stay in business.

These businesses are not charitable institurions- they need to make a profit or what is the point?

I didn't know it was so hard for a company that makes 10-15 billion a year in profits to maybe add a few dollars to the employees pay. So they'll make a little less.

[The Postmaster General]

I've found rude people working at Wal-Mart - generally teenagers, who have nothing to lose with losing their jobs.

Wal-Mart employees more older people than most other retail chains.

[JohnTheHenchman]

I bought a desk for my room there for like 30 bucks. I couldn't believe it was so cheap. I was on a limited budget, I don't feel bad.

[ChemicalRomance]

Don't get my mom started on this subject.

[outsyder]

Shhh. The Wal-Mart is listening.

[Criminal Rock]

I am absolutely, positively, NOT kidding when I say AT LEAST 60% of Wal-Mart employees, here in Arizona, are drug addicts using the job to buy their fucking tweak. No joke. It’s really scary walking in those stores at night, you never know what to expect.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by Tai Mai Jew
I am absolutely, positively, NOT kidding when I say AT LEAST 60% of Wal-Mart employees, here in Arizona, are drug addicts using the job to buy their fucking tweak. No joke. It’s really scary walking in those stores at night, you never know what to expect.


Maybe that's why they are so helpful and nice.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by JohnTheHenchman
I bought a desk for my room there for like 30 bucks. I couldn't believe it was so cheap.


Just wait until the eggs hatch.

[JohnTheHenchman]

The only thing I don't think I'd buy at Walmart is clothes.

[The Postmaster General]

Why not clothes?

[JohnTheHenchman]

Because I don't like how they look hahaha.

Target is the only one of these kind of stores I'll get clothes at. Target even sells blazers now. You could get a whole suit for under 100 bucks there.

[The Postmaster General]

Oh - LOL, I thought there was something you knew bad about the way they were made or something. Roach eggs in the lining maybe.

Some stuff is okay there. I'll always grab something I like no matter where it's from. I get undershirts, boxers, socks and stuff from Sam's Club, Walmart or Target usually, if not one of those clearance stores.

I don't know about a suit from Target though - for some reason I can't start laughing about that. I've been laughing the entire time I've been typing this. I'm going to read it again after I submit this. That's fucking awesome man. It reminds me Napoleon Dynamite.

[Lynn7]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by someguy
By child labour, it was more of the negative aspect of it you know with the forced hours and no pay and such :p

I was going to use a sweatshop type reference but I thought child labour would say it well. I was wrong.
__________________________________________________ __

Just for the record, I am not in favor of child labor or sweat shops.
__________________________________________________ ___



hahaha, OH REALLY?!?! That's one of my favourite sayings. I did go out shopping lately, and all the clerks were nice to me, one even called me 'hon' which was kinda weird. Then again she was an older woman. Wal Mart's employees are nice because if they weren't they would lose their jobs.
__________________________________________________ ____

IO'm glad you have had a good experience. I have also had nice people check me out but there are so many people who are unbeleivable rude.
_____________________________________________



Now you see, this type of thing really pisses me off. This is the cheapest excuse at getting people to be quiet. 'Oh it's so popular to bash that right now.' What, you want the person to feel like they're so uncool and bland by sticking with the majority? Let them be cool and mysterious, disagree! It's not in vogue!

I mean, you know that Hitler. It's so in vogue to bash him too.
__________________________________________________ ___




I am not trying to get any one to be quiet but it just seems like eveerytime I turn on the tv I hear more people bashing walmart and I know there are other stores out there that pay the same to their employees. I mean does JC Peeny offer benefits to their cashiers? How about Sears or Macy's? Filenes? But I dont' hear any of those stores criticized.




_________________________________________________


I didn't know it was so hard for a company that makes 10-15 billion a year in profits to maybe add a few dollars to the employees pay. So they'll make a little less.
__________________________________________________ ____






With all of the employees that Walmart has, how long would those profits last when spread out? And how much should the employees be paid? A million each? A hundred thousand dollars a year? How much money do the shareholders get? The people who take the risks are the ones who get the money. The people who pay the rent and the salaries and the heat and the water and all of the costs that go into running a store. If people can't make a good profit then why go into business at all. All I ahve to say is that Walmart gives people jobs they can choose to take or leave, they offer merchandise to customers at a savings and they tend to give good customer service. I just cannot hate this company and no one has been able to convince me too. And from what I remember, Walmart used to make their employees shareholders cause the philsophy was if the employee owned some shares, they would be more invested in making Walmart a success.

[someguy]

Originally posted by Lynn7

Just for the record, I am not in favor of child labor or sweat shops..

Then why did you give examples of children working that were good, like farmer's children or your grandmother? I bring up child labor, and you look at how children working isn't a bad thing but now you're against it.

I'm glad you have had a good experience. I have also had nice people check me out but there are so many people who are unbeleivable rude.

Okay, just because you got a run in with a few rude people, my point is proven wrong?

I am not trying to get any one to be quiet but it just seems like eveerytime I turn on the tv I hear more people bashing walmart and I know there are other stores out there that pay the same to their employees. I mean does JC Peeny offer benefits to their cashiers? How about Sears or Macy's? Filenes? But I dont' hear any of those stores criticized.

Looked around for over a half hour about employee treatments by these companies, didn't see much. Maybe you can give me some links on how the employees are treated at these stores.
Wal-Mart's main reason for people going after it is that it's the highest retailer right now.

And how much should the employees be paid? A million each? A hundred thousand dollars a year? How much money do the shareholders get? The people who take the risks are the ones who get the money. The people who pay the rent and the salaries and the heat and the water and all of the costs that go into running a store. If people can't make a good profit then why go into business at all. All I ahve to say is that Walmart gives people jobs they can choose to take or leave, they offer merchandise to customers at a savings and they tend to give good customer service. I just cannot hate this company and no one has been able to convince me too. And from what I remember, Walmart used to make their employees shareholders cause the philsophy was if the employee owned some shares, they would be more invested in making Walmart a success.

You're exaggerating here. I'm talking 5-7 dollars maybe minimum, nothing like 100 000 a year. I said a few dollars, not a million.

[The Postmaster General]

How do you all feel about the arguement regarding Wal-Marts hurting small buisinesses that can't compete? The tax cuts a company like Wal Mart get are disproportionate to the ones the little guy receives. The game seems rigged, if you ask many people.

[JohnTheHenchman]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
Oh - LOL, I thought there was something you knew bad about the way they were made or something. Roach eggs in the lining maybe.

Some stuff is okay there. I'll always grab something I like no matter where it's from. I get undershirts, boxers, socks and stuff from Sam's Club, Walmart or Target usually, if not one of those clearance stores.

I don't know about a suit from Target though - for some reason I can't start laughing about that. I've been laughing the entire time I've been typing this. I'm going to read it again after I submit this. That's fucking awesome man. It reminds me Napoleon Dynamite.

dude

they were actually solid lookink blazers

made by the Merona brand they use.

not terrible

but yea haha

[The Postmaster General]

Shit man - like I say, if you like the way it looks - go for it. Brand names mean nothing to me Merona or Versace --- Just more shit that has to get cleaned.

Yes, I'm one of those 5pm nudists. If it wasn't for me now having to go on the porch for my vice, I'd wear even less clothes.

I had this friend in school - you'd of liked him John. When we were in school, these bully tried picking on him, saying he got his clothes from Wal-Mart -- this friend was this Russian kid who looked like he was from Revenge of the Nerds, and was somewhat a spaz..... Well, since my friend was a spaz, and an even bigger smart ass - it escalated and the bully took a punch.

Well, my buddy ended up beating the hell out of this guy - who looked much bigger and meaner. It was the funniest thing any one had ever seen --- Imagine a fight in middle school that looked like an actual real fight from an action movie ---- Everyone took this guy as a geek, and no one expected he was like fucking Charles Bronson.

The as the fight got broken up, they were pulling them off, my buddy looks up at this guy, who's ass just got kicked and he says "I don't get my clothes from Wal-Mart. (pause) I get them from K-Mart!"

And a legend was born....

:D

[Lynn7]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by someguy
[B]Then why did you give examples of children working that were good, like farmer's children or your grandmother? I bring up child labor, and you look at how children working isn't a bad thing but now you're against it.
__________________________________________________ __-



I said I was fascintated that Latin Americans resent our inflicitng our values on them because they feel their children need to work to support the families.When I mentioned my grandmother and farmer's kids and store owners kids it is all the same- The kids are put to work for survival of the family. It is not the best scenario but it is a fact of life in some instances. Sometimes I think work might be good for kids who hate school and are doing nothing but geetting in trouble cause they hate it so much. But Walmart does not use child labor- they buy their clothes from over seas (liek NIke etc) and these places use children. If Walmart stopped buying stuff from there the people would lose income. I just think these issues are not as clear cut as theorists make them seem.

__________________________________________________ __
Okay, just because you got a run in with a few rude people, my point is proven wrong?
__________________________________________________ ____

I'm just saying that just because the workers are friendly at Walmart doenst mean they are being forced to be nice. They just really don't seem like they are forced to be anything- they seem REALLY content. No one is working in terrible working conditions. They work the registers, stock the shelves and give customers directions etc. Not exactly a sweat shop.


__________________________________________________ _
Looked around for over a half hour about employee treatments by these companies, didn't see much. Maybe you can give me some links on how the employees are treated at these stores.
Wal-Mart's main reason for people going after it is that it's the highest retailer right now.
__________________________________________________ _____

As far as the employees of the other stores I mentioned, I only know that I have known people who work at these places that they get minimum wage and no benefits which is the norm in retail unless you get up into management. The biggest problem with the employeees is that they are always hungry to get more hours.
I am sure you are right that because Walmart has been so successful that is why they are the target but it just seems unfair to me.

__________________________________________________
You're exaggerating here. I'm talking 5-7 dollars maybe minimum, nothing like 100 000 a year. I said a few dollars, not a million.
__________________________________________________ ____-

Yes, I was using hyperbole to say how many profits are people expected to give away? Isn't it reasonable if you are running a company that you pay your employees the going wage? If all the other stores are paying minimum, why should these guys do differently? Everyone wants to make more money but they should work their way up to get it. Let them move up inot management etc and then get bigger salaries. If Walmart starts paying high wages through unionization (which is being threatened against them) then their prices will go up and we will all lose. And if it gets too bad they will shut down stores and then there will be job loss. That would be sad.

[The Postmaster General]

I've never worked for either, but from what I understand, PUBLIX SUPERMARKETS are the ideal example of a company that helps it's employees get ahead in life, and WALMART is a the ideal example of a company that helps it's employees maintain in life, and little else.

[JohnTheHenchman]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
Shit man - like I say, if you like the way it looks - go for it. Brand names mean nothing to me Merona or Versace --- Just more shit that has to get cleaned.

Yes, I'm one of those 5pm nudists. If it wasn't for me now having to go on the porch for my vice, I'd wear even less clothes.

I had this friend in school - you'd of liked him John. When we were in school, these bully tried picking on him, saying he got his clothes from Wal-Mart -- this friend was this Russian kid who looked like he was from Revenge of the Nerds, and was somewhat a spaz..... Well, since my friend was a spaz, and an even bigger smart ass - it escalated and the bully took a punch.

Well, my buddy ended up beating the hell out of this guy - who looked much bigger and meaner. It was the funniest thing any one had ever seen --- Imagine a fight in middle school that looked like an actual real fight from an action movie ---- Everyone took this guy as a geek, and no one expected he was like fucking Charles Bronson.

The as the fight got broken up, they were pulling them off, my buddy looks up at this guy, who's ass just got kicked and he says "I don't get my clothes from Wal-Mart. (pause) I get them from K-Mart!"

And a legend was born....

:D

amazing story

I obviously don't care about brand. As a matter of fact the only thing I wear that has a name on it are my glasses, and that's mostly due to forgetting to ask for generic frames.

[JCR]

I work for Walmart, or at least their uk offshoot, asda.

Now maybe workers are rude sometimes, but when you're pushing heavy objects around for 10 hours it is quite easy for even the most civil person to become rude, and some of the questions you get asked are beyond the pale of stupidity- I would go on but the movie clerks explains it better than I could, see it.

As for walmart putting small stores outta business, well no ones forcing you to shop at wm as opposed to the smaller stores, and as for tax breaks..... well who said life was fair anyway? It isn't.

However I would not think walmart are giving $15M outta the kindness of their hearts, they wouldn't. Walmart only thinks about walmart with this kinda thing. It will get them a load of good PR, like lynns 1st post, and that will be the main reason they're doing it.

[someguy]

Ok, rather than make this another back and forth going repeatedly until we tire each other out and nobody gets anything across, let's just do this.

I think Wal Mart needs to improve their worker treatment since the point of a job is to provide yourself with some sort of income so you can live a good life and Wal Mart's pay rate cannot make that possible.

You think differently (I'm not going to put words in your mouth so I won't summarize what I think your thoughts are :p)

After debating, arguing, whatnot in about 5 other threads today, how about we just agree to disagree here and watch some Rockstar Inxs, something we both can agree to enjoy Lynn ;)

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by JCR
As for walmart putting small stores outta business, well no ones forcing you to shop at wm as opposed to the smaller stores, and as for tax breaks..... well who said life was fair anyway? It isn't..



Well, the problem with that take on it is that I don't think it's the people shopping at Wal-Mart that are complaining about the small guys --- It's the small guys, and I don't think they are putting themselves out of buisiness.

Life isn't fair -- well, I can understand that arguement.

It's funny though -- We all grow up, applauding the Three Stooges for saving the orphanage from being put out by evil shopping centers, we applaud the movies where people save such and such place from the developers who are coming in to take it over -- We are all mostly brought up with the ideal that local business is good, and heartless corperations are bad, and we all buy it.

Then no one really cares when it happens in real life - Hey, gee whiz, them's the breaks.

[Lynn7]

Originally posted by someguy

After debating, arguing, whatnot in about 5 other threads today, how about we just agree to disagree here and watch some Rockstar Inxs, something we both can agree to enjoy Lynn ;)


LOL! YOu have effectively shut me up....for the moment. :)

[The Postmaster General]

If Wal-Mart had come into power in the days of black and white TV -

The 3 Stooges would have owned it's ass.

"Come on you numbskulls! We gotta safe Old Man Hurley's hardware store, and - pay attention you!" (hits Curley in the head with a hammer, causing massive internal bleeding and a seizure disorder that plagues Curley for years to come...)

[Lynn7]

I heard on the news today that in addition to the 15 million that the company donated for hurricane relief, the family donated 8 million dollars of their personal money.

[RicochetShaw]

Just read Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, then you'll know how it really is for the employees of Wal*Mart.

[EVILxxx]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
I've never worked for either, but from what I understand, PUBLIX SUPERMARKETS are the ideal example of a company that helps it's employees get ahead in life, and WALMART is a the ideal example of a company that helps it's employees maintain in life, and little else.

All that is required of Walmart is that it pays it's employees minmum wage and provide safe working conditions. I can't speak intelligently on how Wal-mart is run in other countries but it far exceeds those requirments here in the states. If an employee makes a careere out of being a cashier, they shouldn't expect to make $20 an hour with full benfits. It is true that many people find themselves having to work for a store like Walmart for a very long time, but let's be honest. What would these people be doing if they weren't working at walmart? They would be sweeping floors or waiting tables, and probably making less money.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by EVILxxx
All that is required of Walmart is that it pays it's employees minmum wage and provide safe working conditions.


All that is required of Publix Supermarkets is that it pays it's employees minimum wage and provides safe working conditions.

I'm sorry I didn't make that clear earlier.

[EVILxxx]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
All that is required of Publix Supermarkets is that it pays it's employees minimum wage and provides safe working conditions.

I'm sorry I didn't make that clear earlier.

My point is that you seem to believe that just because Walmart is one of the top corporations of all time it should through around it's money to it's employees. Now while people like you and myself wish they would do that more often it is not always the case. And besides no matter how rich Walmart gets I don't think they can afford to pay customer greeters 40K a year.

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by EVILxxx
My point is that you seem to believe that just because Walmart is one of the top corporations of all time it should through around it's money to it's employees. Now while people like you and myself wish they would do that more often it is not always the case. And besides no matter how rich Walmart gets I don't think they can afford to pay customer greeters 40K a year.



I never said anything remotely resembling that arguement. All I did was cite an example of a chain that gets praised for it's employee benefits.

All I said about Wal-Mart is that The Three Stooges probably wouldn't have liked Wal-Mart, and I discussed style with John, then told a story about this kid that kicked ass. I might have also mentioned something about them employing lots of 'long termers'

And I don't think ANYONE has said anything about paying employees 40K. IMO, the entire minimum wage needs to be raised to account for inflation. That quarter or whatever it was raised doesn't seem like much to me, since it's been like that since what? 1992.

As far as whether giant corps like Wal-Mart lobby and petition politicians to keep the minimum wage low, I can only wonder, but don't know too much about it. I do know that they were really fighting to allow illegal immigrants to work for them at reduced wages. I'm not sure what that was all about though.

[EVILxxx]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
I

As far as whether giant corps like Wal-Mart lobby and petition politicians to keep the minimum wage low, I can only wonder, but don't know too much about it. I do know that they were really fighting to allow illegal immigrants to work for them at reduced wages. I'm not sure what that was all about though.

That was probably about getting cheap labor. You don't have to get me started on the republicans and their illegal alien poilices. All I was getting at is the more a company makes money the more villified it becomes. Soon enough we're burining down the store to the hymms of Kumbaya.

[The Postmaster General]

Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's horrible. I just think people should be more educated in regards to some of it's standards. Not so much because Wal-Mart is bad, but just because if people asked for more from these places then I think these places WOULD respond. I think they would share the wealth some how, and I'm sure they do, but if people asked for more, they would surely respond.

Wal-Mart has come to recognize that people want convienience and low prices, and we do. I love that shit. Along the way, though, I think we've forgotten about happy employees, good service, and quality American made goods - things that were also important to us in times when I felt our country was more moral, honest and just down right decent.

To me everything is okay, but that doesn't mean a place like Wal-Mart should be encouraged to only do the bare minimum they need in order to survive as a company. I don't want my fellow citizens to act like this, so why should our citizens be allowed to hide behind the guise of a company and do just this?

Yes, personal choice is an important thing, but you know - we can talk about what good choices are. I'm not all about "Fuck those people" and "I stand alone" or what ever. United we stand, divided we fall sounds better to me.

Walmart's okay.



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[SpongeBod]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
And I don't think ANYONE has said anything about paying employees 40K. IMO, the entire minimum wage needs to be raised to account for inflation. That quarter or whatever it was raised doesn't seem like much to me, since it's been like that since what? 1992.

As far as whether giant corps like Wal-Mart lobby and petition politicians to keep the minimum wage low, I can only wonder, but don't know too much about it. I do know that they were really fighting to allow illegal immigrants to work for them at reduced wages. I'm not sure what that was all about though.

Where I live, the pay scale is really low. Our Wal-Mart employees make more than minimum wage, and have some benefits. They also, don't seem to be illegal aliens. I mean, they all speak in fluent redneckese.

I was never too big on raising minimum wage. Because it seems when it is raised prices all go up anyway. Besides, the only time I made minimum wage was when I was 16 and bagged groceries for a little super market.
Back when I was around 19. I worked at a place that started me out .50 cents above the minimum. Within the year I was making about .75 cents more. Then minimum wage went up. Suddenly, everybody that was just hired was getting the same pay as me. It pissed me off.

I don't even know what minimum wage is now. What is it?

[The Postmaster General]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SpongeBod
I was never too big on raising minimum wage. Because it seems when it is raised prices all go up anyway.


Yeah, but the problem people are noting is that prices still go up, whether it is raised or not. Most analysists show that it's not staying proportionate in recent years.

I didn't even know it was raised until I had to post new signs at my work (even though no one gets paid minimum, it's just the law.) and to be honest I'm still not sure exactly what it is. All I remember is thinking, "Hey, that's not much more than when I was 15!

But lets find out -

As of 2005 it is $5.15

The last increase was in 1996, when it went to $4.75

Before that, 1995 it went to 4.25

1990 it was $3.80

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774473.html

So, it's gone up $1.35 in the last 15 years.

In 1990, a gallon of gas was $1.16, 15 years later... let's just say it's $2 for fun.

That means the adjustment in minimum wage covers the increase of cost for 2 gallons of gas (It's really more like 1...) So, with the raise you can now continue to afford gas. But what about the increase in cost for everything else. How do you afford basic needs like health care, clothes, shelter, etc... ? Those too have increased in price along with gas.

Ideally minimum wage should be reserved for people who still live at home, but unfortunately due to edcation problems our country has (we're not too bright, really) most people live in the "real world" with only a HS diploma and no experience, etc. These are the kinds of people who might end up being old and working at Wal-Mart, and run in to difficulties.

I don't blame Wal-Mart for much of anything, don't get me wrong - like I said, there are other things that seem more responsible. Some argue tht it's these people's own fault, but I find that to not be in the spirit of our country.