Selling America - is Wal Mart a sellout?

[jeninflorida]

Just something to think about…I do not have all the answers.

I am playing both sides here

But it’s curious to look at a company like Wal Mart and the impact this company has had on America. I’m not say that anything that Wal Mart has done is illegal.

What % of products come from China? What % of workers are part time? What % of workers are able to qualify for insurance? I think the average Manager of a Wal Mart store earns over $160,000 while the 2nd highest paid worker earns around $80,000. Now, from what friends have told me the store manager works a min of 90 hours a week while the assistant manager works min of 80. I have no proof of these things.

What does irk me is how aggress Wal Mart was in going to China to find cheap products and build up manufacturing there. Part of me can understand this as I’m 100% pro free markets... So I’m torn on this issue but its something that we need to think about.

Where would China be if there was no Wal Mart?
How much of our government has been purchased by Wal Mart (i.e. bonds and other government funds)?
Does it matter that China will now own Volvo?


As for the workers of Wal Mart, people need to work and I hold no ill for Wal Mart workers, he or she has to do what he or she needs to do to take care of their family.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The real questions are: WHO DOES WAL-MART HELP and WHO DOES WAL-MART HARM?

From what I observe locally, WAL-MART rehabilitates commercial sites that are slums. Their out-parcels are then leased to McDonalds and other popular commerce. In my town WAL-MART replaced an abandoned shopping center, a ratty motel, and a Salvation Army thrift store. The town now gets a lot more tax money from the increased commerce and higher property values. Salvation Army moved down the street into a new facility that isnt old or rat infested.

WAL-MART provides employment to people who cant work elsewhere because of mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.

I worked at WAL-MART for about 8 weeks, and it isnt a career I'll recommend to anyone. Theyre worse than most people imagine and they subscribe to Survival of the Fittest. They dont cut you any slack, and they dont do 2nd chances if you err. But plenty of people work at WAL-MART forever and like slavery.

 

[DesertPirate]

Once upon a time, in the late 80's, Wal-Mart made a big deal out of working with local manufacturers and selling many items "Made in the USA".

Then Sam Walton died.

You figure out what happened!

 

[tickledkitty]

I've got no problem with Wal-Mart. Would I work there? Nope.

I don't even really like shopping there, but it's close, it's convenient, and it's generally cheaper than most other places. They also have what I want, and it's all under one roof. I don't do my regular grocery shopping there, but I do make quick trips to grab bread or bottled water or whatever when I'm in there for other stuff, like cold medicine.

There's a guy in a wheelchair who works there. Pretty much moderately disabled, I'd say. Slightly impaired speech, but he really knows his shit. He has helped me twice in the past month or so when I was wandering aimlessly, unable to find something. He's super nice and extremely capable. I'd imagine a lot of companies would overlook someone like him. Wal-Mart gave him a chance. I think it was a good move on their part. Works for me.

 

[Pornguin]

I still shop at Wal-Mart. However, after working there almost three years, an old department manager I worked under got her assistant manager to fire me when my assistant manager was off for the day. Ten years later and I am still blacklisted and can't be employed anywhere in the Wal-Mart system.

 

[rgraham666]

Should have had a union to back you up.

 

[cloudy]

Once upon a time, in the late 80's, Wal-Mart made a big deal out of working with local manufacturers and selling many items "Made in the USA".

Then Sam Walton died.

You figure out what happened!

Litte known, but mostly useless fact: Walton got his start working at JCPenney. At the time (they may still, not sure, but did when I was there), JCP gave their managers a piece of the business in the form of stocks and stock options. That's how Walton got his stake to start Walmart.

It's changed tremendously now, but JCP was also the model for how Sam Walton treated his "associates" (term also taken from JCP). JCP was still treating associates well up through the time I worked for them, but I couldn't tell you the corporate culture now.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

DP

As of this very minute WM is actively terminating as many full-time employees as possible. On the otherhand, WM extended its employee 10% discount from Thanksgiving till 31 December, and it now has some inexpensive healthcare plans that are a bargain. But they really are out to get the full-timers.

 

[tolyk]

Once upon a time, in the late 80's, Wal-Mart made a big deal out of working with local manufacturers and selling many items "Made in the USA".

Then Sam Walton died.

You figure out what happened!

When Wal-Mart first came to Canada, many people were opposed as they felt it would be bad for our economy. But Wal-Mart promised they would buy from Canadian supplier, sell Canadian products. Well, turned out that was a lie. It was all the American products, and now the Chinese ones. It's rare to see anything stamped "Made in Canada".

I don't personally shop there, but not because of the above, just because all the ones I can get to easily here are absolutely disgusting.

 

[Pornguin]

Should have had a union to back you up.

Had one at Meijer; the union was as worthless as tits on a bull.

 

[sr71plt]

Wal-Mart? What's a Wal-Mart?

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Wal-Mart? What's a Wal-Mart?

*snerk*

I don't shop there. But I shop at Sam's Club *sigh* so I don't know who I'm kidding, in terms of "what's the difference?"

 

[sr71plt]

*snerk*

I don't shop there. But I shop at Sam's Club *sigh* so I don't know who I'm kidding, in terms of "what's the difference?"

Only shop at Sam's Club because it's got the largest/cheapest bottles of Yellowtail Shiraz in town (and the cheapest gas).

 

[off2bed]

Every major retail chain sells the same merchandise imported from the same countries, but Wal Mart is always the one scapegoat.

Can you make your own shirts for under ten bucks? If so, then do that instead of buying retail. Make your own toys? Even better. Hey, maybe we'll start a trend...

 

[off2bed]

Should have had a union to back you up.

Yeah, unions are never corrupt like that.

When Wal-Mart first came to Canada, many people were opposed as they felt it would be bad for our economy. But Wal-Mart promised they would buy from Canadian supplier, sell Canadian products. Well, turned out that was a lie. It was all the American products, and now the Chinese ones. It's rare to see anything stamped "Made in Canada".

What products are made in Canada? We've bought some Stouffers frozen foods made in Canada, and other processed food items. Anything else, other than maybe parkas? Just curious, 'cause not much is made in USA that Wal Mart would sell either.

 

[jeninflorida]

our local Wal-Mart is dirty...and a mad house. We have a super Target that is very close to us and easy to get in and out.

I've got no problem with Wal-Mart. Would I work there? Nope.

I don't even really like shopping there, but it's close, it's convenient, and it's generally cheaper than most other places. They also have what I want, and it's all under one roof. I don't do my regular grocery shopping there, but I do make quick trips to grab bread or bottled water or whatever when I'm in there for other stuff, like cold medicine.

There's a guy in a wheelchair who works there. Pretty much moderately disabled, I'd say. Slightly impaired speech, but he really knows his shit. He has helped me twice in the past month or so when I was wandering aimlessly, unable to find something. He's super nice and extremely capable. I'd imagine a lot of companies would overlook someone like him. Wal-Mart gave him a chance. I think it was a good move on their part. Works for me.

 

[jeninflorida]

I can see the comfort factor, but being in a union would irk me. I'm glad that you have had good luch with Union's....but for me I see no value

Should have had a union to back you up.

 

[gauchecritic]

I can see the comfort factor, but being in a union would irk me. I'm glad that you have had good luch with Union's....but for me I see no value

would you care to make that "no 'present' value"?

Or do you see no value in the stone/bronze/iron ages either?

 

[jeninflorida]

today, I do not see any value in union. I think that we needed unions in the past. I'm not saying that all unions need to or have to go away.

I will say that in today's world it needs to be a win/win...and in most meetings from what i've read about the UAW and the big 3, both sides were trying for a Win/Loss...

for those that work in a union and enjoy it, more power to you. not being a smart ass, but I can see the security for working in a "union company"

we all have our own comfort factors and what works for you might not work for me.


jumping subjects there is no doubt that in the 1800's and till the 1930's america needed the unions...maybe even longer than 1930. the world started to change in the 1980's and a big time change in the 1990's...I feel that the union did not keep up with those changes. this is my view, from watching the news and talking with some of my friends who own companies that are union shops in chicago and IN.

would you care to make that "no 'present' value"?

Or do you see no value in the stone/bronze/iron ages either?