You Will Be CENSORED

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by n david

Let's see, do I want to spend $50 on something from a small "mom and pop" store, or $15 for the same product at Walmart.

I go out of my way to buy stuff from local Mom and Pop stores. I believe in supporting the local economy. I go to Walmart when there's just no realistic alternative. But then again, I'm a filthy fatcat capitalist.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

I go out of my way to buy stuff from local Mom and Pop stores. I believe in supporting the local economy. I go to Walmart when there's just no realistic alternative. But then again, I'm a filthy fatcat capitalist.

I do the same. Our family calls the local Walmart, "The Death Star". lol

I typically look to shop at local family businesses and union shops. Sure, we pay a little more. But I feel that our moral loyalties to American industry and mom and pop shops comes with that cost. Who would sell small town America down a river to save a buck, and dare call themselves an "American"?

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Many times the mom and pop shop offers a higher quality product. However, not always. Sometimes it's the very same item. We often vote with our money as much as we vote in the ballot box. Notice how corporations have gained the ability to offer the same product at lower prices and undercut the business for mom and pop shops (often on the backs of the corporation's employees). We've allowed this to become this way. Now our moral center is... the lowest price.

But is it really a lower price?

Walmart is known for low wages and keeping people at part time, so they don't have to offer benefits. Many Walmart employees qualify for food stamps and government assistance and file for it. The mom and pop shops go south, close, and now a family legacy is nothing but a black and white dream in a photo album providing no income for the next generation. Pop is now making minimum wage as a greeter at the Walmart, part time, and has no healthcare benefits, causing him to file for what government benefits he can get. After all is said and done... I think society as a whole pays far more to provide buyers the $15 product.

lets just say that a big box store comes to smallville mom and pop employ about 7 people or so all low wage, then big box opens and employs 65 or more people. whats the trade off? the community now has more available jobs with perhaps growth potential while mom and pop could only employ 7. which is better for the community? not to mention tax revenue for the city, state.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness

lets just say that a big box store comes to smallville mom and pop employ about 7 people or so all low wage, then big box opens and employs 65 or more people. whats the trade off? the community now has more available jobs with perhaps growth potential while mom and pop could only employ 7. which is better for the community? not to mention tax revenue for the city, state.

I think that's why many communities embrace corporations like Walmart. They need jobs, even if they are low paying and have no benefits. In many cases all the good paying union shops that provided jobs and benefits have closed down as production moved overseas.

McJobs at Wally-World are often better than no jobs.

Each small town American town has a different story. For some, Walmart was a positive thing. For others, it wrecked generations of hard working self sufficient families.

[Aquila]

Dare I ask it, is Walmart too big???

Might it actually be in the best interests of the economy itself to cut these monsters into smaller business units? These smaller decentralized business units would compete, controlling prices. And, in some cases, they might be far more capable of providing better wages and benefits.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Many times the mom and pop shop offers a higher quality product. However, not always. Sometimes it's the very same item. We often vote with our money as much as we vote in the ballot box. Notice how corporations have gained the ability to offer the same product at lower prices and undercut the business for mom and pop shops (often on the backs of the corporation's employees). We've allowed this to become this way. Now our moral center is... the lowest price.

Gimme a break. I support the local farmers markets and do shop a few small, local stores.

My moral center is to provide and be a good steward for my family. That's my moral center. If you want to spend twice as much for the same products just to stick it to the man, that's you.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Walmart is known for low wages and keeping people at part time, so they don't have to offer benefits. Many Walmart employees qualify for food stamps and government assistance and file for it. The mom and pop shops go south, close, and now a family legacy is nothing but a black and white dream in a photo album providing no income for the next generation. Mom and pop are now making minimum wage as greeters at the Walmart, part time, and have no healthcare benefits, causing them to file for what government benefits they can get. After all is said and done... I think society as a whole pays far more to provide buyers the $15 product.

And Walmart... well... they are rolling in record profits.

Per usual, your scenario here is well overblown and not accurate.

First, PT employees do get benefits (including healthcare), so that's just wrong. Also wages are typical and on par with most box retail stores and for the type of work being done.

It's ridiculous that you believe a greeter should make more than minimum wages for that line of work. Just asinine.

Also, a lot of people qualify for food stamps and government assistance. I work in state government and know a lot of co-workers who are on food stamps and assistance programs -- or who have passed up promotions because they pay increase would cause their food stamps to be cut off. This isn't a Walmart thing.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Dare I ask it, is Walmart too big???

Might it actually be in the best interests of the economy itself to cut these monsters into smaller business units? These smaller decentralized business units would compete, controlling prices. And, in some cases, they might be far more capable of providing better wages and benefits.

And we'll all live happily ever after...

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I typically look to shop at local family businesses and union shops. Sure, we pay a little more. But I feel that our moral loyalties to American industry and mom and pop shops comes with that cost. Who would sell small town America down a river to save a buck, and dare call themselves an "American"?

Oh good grief.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Esaias

I go out of my way to buy stuff from local Mom and Pop stores. I believe in supporting the local economy. I go to Walmart when there's just no realistic alternative. But then again, I'm a filthy fatcat capitalist.

I support local farmers and farmer's markets. But first and foremost is my family. I'm not spending twice the amount for the same products.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I typically look to shop at local family businesses and union shops. Sure, we pay a little more. But I feel that our moral loyalties to American industry and mom and pop shops comes with that cost. Who would sell small town America down a river to save a buck, and dare call themselves an "American"?